I will be spending some nights within the next 2-3 weeks free camping in central and north western NSW.
I do not have a diesel or gas heater in the van and am aware that it get's somewhat cold of a night in these areas.
My question is; has anyone had experience with using "thermal Blankets" on their bed, and if so, are they worth the investment, and do you use one under the bottom sheet as well as one on top?
What do you use as an alternative to keep warm. And, We have been married 50 years this year, so need blankets !!!!
Cheers, and thanks, KB
blaze said
02:10 PM Jun 6, 2019
I would look at getting a couple of GOOD sleeping bags, my hiking bag is rated to -10 degrees and when stuffed in the bag is about 150mm round and weighs next to nothing. Used to just leave it stowed under the bed. Used it a lot in sub sero temps in a swag and have never felt cold.
cheers
blaze
ps they are not cheap
Olive Oil said
06:39 PM Jun 6, 2019
We have a woollen mattress protector, two doonas, one a 2 rating & one a 3 rating.
Depending on the predicted overnight temperature we can go 2, 3, or both to make a 5.
We also have hot water bottles.
We've camped in 0 degree temperatures & stayed warm.
Roadrunners said
07:37 PM Jun 6, 2019
Have you thought of buying some thermal underwear? I nearly froze on a visit to relatives in Melbourne recently, until I pulled out the thermal undies. Warm as toast with a pair of socks, in or out of bed. They are cheap (target have wool versions), small and lightweight, and fit a variety of circumstances. My solution for any time serious warmth is needed, and I really feel the cold.
Whenarewethere said
08:04 PM Jun 6, 2019
I was in Tasmania a few months ago with a few nights at 0°C, sleeping in the car it was 9°C inside in the morning. I just had a thicker doona & had no problems, actually a bit warm.
Just take an extra doona if you are worried. I sleep on a self inflating Thermarest so plenty warm enough from below.
Use a SIGG aluminium bottle in a large woolen sock for a hot water bottle, they never leak.
Whenarewethere said
08:16 PM Jun 6, 2019
Cover up the windows with windscreen sunscreens cut to size. Windows loose 6 watts per degree difference per square metre.
We had a quite a few nights in western NSW in 2016 at around 0°C & didn't have any problems keeping warm with thicker doona, but they are feather & wool, not the synthetic ones.
We both have good quality sleeping bags but prefer doonas as one is less cramped.
-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Thursday 6th of June 2019 08:22:27 PM
Possum3 said
09:06 PM Jun 6, 2019
Woollen under-blankets and -5 degree sleeping bag. Put in a hot water bottle 10 minutes before going to bed, you'll be toasty warm.
keiron said
07:57 AM Jun 7, 2019
My sincere thanks to all. Very much appreciated. KB
Plain Truth said
09:28 AM Jun 7, 2019
Wearing a beanie helps too,helps when really cold.
dogbox said
09:56 AM Jun 7, 2019
staying warm in bed is one thing it getting out of a warm bed that is the issue
Kebbin said
11:12 AM Jun 7, 2019
If you want to be warm in bed get yourself a memory foam/latex mattress topper either eggshell or plain this will stop the cold from coming thru the mattress, if your still cold a vellux blanket will fix that problem.
the rocket said
01:00 PM Jun 7, 2019
Kebbin wrote:
If you want to be warm in bed get yourself a memory foam/latex mattress topper either eggshell or plain this will stop the cold from coming thru the mattress, if your still cold a vellux blanket will fix that problem.
Vellux blanket, I have never heard of them. Would you sweat in them or r they for only really cold nights?
Whenarewethere said
01:23 PM Jun 7, 2019
A timely article on ABC
Good night's sleep means resisting temptation to reach for extra blanket:
G'day Rocket, vellux are best when it's real cold, they are a 70% lighter then woollen blankets which takes a while to get use to the weight difference. One vellux will replace two blankets.
the rocket said
02:16 PM Jun 7, 2019
Kebbin wrote:
G'day Rocket, vellux are best when it's real cold, they are a 70% lighter then woollen blankets which takes a while to get use to the weight difference. One vellux will replace two blankets.
Thanks kebbin. Think i will try them.
the rocket said
02:26 PM Jun 7, 2019
Whenarewethere wrote:
A timely article on ABC
Good night's sleep means resisting temptation to reach for extra blanket:
Hi, thanks. Read the article. It is freezing in our caravan and i have layers of clothes, beannie, socks, blankets and it is heavy. With rheumatoid arthritis worse when cold. I do not mind being warm and it does not affect my sleep. Happy little vegemite all snuggled up but the vellux blanket that is light sounds very interesting.
Warren-Pat_01 said
04:14 PM Jun 7, 2019
There's nothing like a lightweight doona or two (now have single beds) AND hot water bottles, perhaps some bed socks.
I used Space Blankets in the past (still have them) - they work ok too but only cater for shorter people <6ft.
Cupie said
04:32 PM Jun 7, 2019
Just got home from a few months in the cold country.
My solution was an extra doona (happened to have a silk filled one that we got in china).
I occasionally wore one of those lined check shirts that all the bogans have. Most importantly for me a pair of winter sox.
Never had to resort to the beanie/gloves & hot water bottle that were on standby.
Of course we were in CPs so the fan heater was plugged in ready to be switched on at the point beside my pillow. Great first thing in the morning to heat up the van. I also used it in the ensuite when having my evening shower. SWMBO reckoned that I was a wuss. Perhaps, but a warm one.
Snipz said
06:24 PM Jun 7, 2019
Hi Keiron what I do to keep warm in bed I have made sheets out of polar fleece . To make two sheets for a single bed it takes six meters . I then wear a onesie . Never feel the cold and so warm . Snipz
DeBe said
02:34 PM Jun 9, 2019
Weve been married 49 years & a bit of cudling & activity soon warms us up.
darjak said
04:33 PM Jun 9, 2019
Just use a lambs wool underlay, $20 polyester blanket from Coles and Donna, don't
even bother with Flanette sheets even at -5C. Beanie on head keeps my Brain from
getting dumber.
When camping just use 2 sunshades under swag holds cold out.
Darjak
oldbloke said
08:55 PM Jun 9, 2019
DeBe wrote:
Weve been married 49 years & a bit of cudling & activity soon warms us up.
Hi.
I will be spending some nights within the next 2-3 weeks free camping in central and north western NSW.
I do not have a diesel or gas heater in the van and am aware that it get's somewhat cold of a night in these areas.
My question is; has anyone had experience with using "thermal Blankets" on their bed, and if so, are they worth the investment, and do you use one under the bottom sheet as well as one on top?
What do you use as an alternative to keep warm. And, We have been married 50 years this year, so need blankets !!!!
Cheers, and thanks, KB
cheers
blaze
ps they are not cheap
Depending on the predicted overnight temperature we can go 2, 3, or both to make a 5.
We also have hot water bottles.
We've camped in 0 degree temperatures & stayed warm.
I was in Tasmania a few months ago with a few nights at 0°C, sleeping in the car it was 9°C inside in the morning. I just had a thicker doona & had no problems, actually a bit warm.
Just take an extra doona if you are worried. I sleep on a self inflating Thermarest so plenty warm enough from below.
Use a SIGG aluminium bottle in a large woolen sock for a hot water bottle, they never leak.
Cover up the windows with windscreen sunscreens cut to size. Windows loose 6 watts per degree difference per square metre.
We had a quite a few nights in western NSW in 2016 at around 0°C & didn't have any problems keeping warm with thicker doona, but they are feather & wool, not the synthetic ones.
We both have good quality sleeping bags but prefer doonas as one is less cramped.
-- Edited by Whenarewethere on Thursday 6th of June 2019 08:22:27 PM
My sincere thanks to all. Very much appreciated. KB
Vellux blanket, I have never heard of them. Would you sweat in them or r they for only really cold nights?
A timely article on ABC
Good night's sleep means resisting temptation to reach for extra blanket:
https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-07/avoid-winter-blues-and-dont-rug-up-too-much-sleep-expert-says/11186568
Thanks kebbin. Think i will try them.
Hi, thanks. Read the article. It is freezing in our caravan and i have layers of clothes, beannie, socks, blankets and it is heavy. With rheumatoid arthritis worse when cold. I do not mind being warm and it does not affect my sleep. Happy little vegemite all snuggled up but the vellux blanket that is light sounds very interesting.
I used Space Blankets in the past (still have them) - they work ok too but only cater for shorter people <6ft.
Just got home from a few months in the cold country.
My solution was an extra doona (happened to have a silk filled one that we got in china).
I occasionally wore one of those lined check shirts that all the bogans have. Most importantly for me a pair of winter sox.
Never had to resort to the beanie/gloves & hot water bottle that were on standby.
Of course we were in CPs so the fan heater was plugged in ready to be switched on at the point beside my pillow. Great first thing in the morning to heat up the van. I also used it in the ensuite when having my evening shower. SWMBO reckoned that I was a wuss. Perhaps, but a warm one.
even bother with Flanette sheets even at -5C. Beanie on head keeps my Brain from
getting dumber.
When camping just use 2 sunshades under swag holds cold out.
Darjak
Ill second that.