Help! I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get UP

The temps around here for the last week have been in the mid to high twenties with lows in the teens and single digits. I had this idea that maybe, I should test my sleeping gear in cold weather. I decided to turn the thermostat for my furnace down to 40 degrees.  I opened the door in the basement and slept down there.  I was concerned for Mr. Tibbs so I set up a heating pad on a chair in case he got too cold.  I am generally a warm sleeper.  While many people will be covered with one or two blankets, I sleep with only a sheet over me.

Parameters

Test two sleeping bags. One that is essentially a liner with a rating to 55 degrees.  The other is a mummy bag with a rating to 22 degrees.

Use  a Therm-a-rest Neoair Xlite Nxt pad

Clothing. Smartwool base layer long sleeved t-shirt, a pair of exercise shorts, socks and Smartwool beanie.

Results

On the basement floor the temperature got down to low forties.

The pad was comfortable enough but the slick material combined with the slick sleeping bag material had me sliding all over the place. I think it made my back ache, not because of the hard surface but because from time to time I was hanging off of it in an awkward position.  The pad is the regular wide size.

I started out with the light sleeping liner.  I wasn’t super cold but barely bearable.  I plan on taking both silk and smart wool base layers so that would help.  The back of my neck was definitely cold.

At around 12:30, I switched to the warmer sleeping bag.  In this bag, I was snug as a bug in a rug. Maybe a little too snug. It is a mummy bag.  I have put on weight since I last used this bag. I won’t say how much.  I never considered that like clothes, the size of a sleeping bag is relevant when I put on weight.  It was like being in a straight jacket. It was so difficult to zip up and turn over in it.  At one point, I thought about the commercial for an alert medical device  with old lady on the floor calling out, “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”

Recommendations and Follow up

I think I should plan for the possibility of temperatures in the thirties in some of the mountain regions.  I am definitely going to look for a new sleeping bag.  If on the road for three months I need to be comfortable.  I either pay the price for a quality roomy sleeping bag or pay the price of miserable nights.  Weight is still a consideration and I am trying to keep it under two pounds.

I may look at different sleeping pads.  I was wondering how it would work if I put the pad inside the sleeping bag.  It certainly won’t fit in my current sleeping bag.  I barely fit in it.

I will likely buy a light baye base layer wool hoodie.  This should keep my neck warm.  It will also be useful at other times.

I am open to any suggestions any of you have.