Many people want to know – is it warmer to sleep with clothes on or off?
If this is something you’ve always been curious about, then be prepared to get your questions answered.
After all, there is nothing better than being able to sleep comfortably in your tent – especially when it is bitter cold outside.
So, let’s debunk the myths and learn more about the truths on what actually works when it comes to having a warmer sleep in the wilderness.
Keep reading and discover surprising truths below!
Contents
How to Have a Great Sleep – Stay Nice and Toasty
Perhaps you have read some people tell you before that sleeping naked will keep you warmer.
Is there any truth about this?
Being in your sleeping bag naked is supposed to keep you toasty and cozy. But then, some people are not quite convinced about this.
How can you actually stay warmer when you have nothing on, right?
Don’t you need to wear layers to actually feel cozier in your sleeping bag?
Well, it is true that layering up is a good way to be warm before you head out. When you wear a ton of layers, you have better insulation. You can also create a lot of air layers that will maintain that ideal warm temperature for your body.
An example of layers you can wear includes socks and hat, and a couple of shirts and pants.
But wait, there is one caveat to it: There is moisture that can arise.
When you wear so many layers, you also end up sweating. Thus, the moisture will surely remove the heat quickly. And when you have zero dry clothes left, you will have to just stay all wet in your sleeping bag.
Not exactly an inviting thing to think about, right?
Which brings us to this point:
Is Sleeping Naked Actually Better?
First, let us talk about the anatomy of a sleeping bag.
A sleeping bag aims to trap heat in your body. It also prevents this warm air from escaping. So, if you wear your long, thick underwear in your sleeping bag, you will definitely have more insulation between the cold air outside and your skin.
You will surely feel warmer with these clothes than if you are naked in your sleeping bag.
Think of your sleeping bag as your house. There is insulation on it, and this is what keeps your warm by making sure the heat stays in.
And just like a house, there is a “furnace” in your sleeping bag. What this means is that your metabolism, the body’s natural process, produces heat that helps keep you warm.
Let us say you have your long underwear on while in your sleeping bag. This will surely add to your feelings of warmth while in it. You have an extra insulation layer that keeps the hot air in and stays on your body.
How to Keep Your Sleeping Bag Warmer
Do you think you are not feeling warm enough in your sleeping bag?
What can you do to make sure you are nice and toasty inside?
Here are some things you can do to make sure you have a favorable temperature in your sleeping bag for a good night’s sleep:
1. Check the ratings on your sleeping bag. It needs to be designed for a very low temperature, or at least what you are expecting to have in your camping.
2. Wear fresh, dry clothes before you squeeze in your sleeping bag.
3. Before setting up your sleeping bag, be sure to place a sleeping pad underneath. This will serve as a barrier between your sleeping bag and the cold, hard ground. It will also help if you suffer from back pains.
4. Place a hot water bottle in the foot or one end of your sleeping bag. This will keep your feet and legs warm as you sleep.
5. Prevent excess space between your feet and your sleeping bag by putting extra clothing inside. With less air coming in, you will be able to stay warmer by keeping the warm air locked in.
6. Make use of a sleeping bag liner (the thicker, the better), so you can have additional warmth you need.
7. Eat! Food can help in keeping you warm throughout the night. But do not eat food that will only make you sweat and feel uncomfortable as you sleep.
Read More: Can You Use A Propane Heater In A Tent – Safety Risks to Consider
Additional Tips You Should Know
Those claims that say that being naked in your sleeping bag is actually warmer than wearing clothes is nothing but a myth.
It is not at all true since to stay warm, you need to wear something.
This is why it is best to do your best to make sure you pack essential clothing for layering up and staying warm while in your sleeping bag.
However, you should avoid getting wet. What this means is that you need to wear dry clothes and not too many layers that you will just end up sweating throughout the night.
This is the only thing that wearing too many clothes will actually not be good for you.
Conclusion
Can you really have better, warmer sleep in your sleeping bag?
When the temperature dips and all you have is your sleeping bag to rely on for a toasty sleep experience, you need to perform certain things.
But more than anything, you need to have plenty of warm clothes to help you. Sleeping naked will not help you at all if you want to maintain a favorable temperature for a good night’s sleep.
Do you want to have better sleep in your sleeping bag? Here is a video that shows how you can stay nice and toasty when out camping:
