Layering lightweight sleeping bags for extended survival?

**thercman** · 05-19-2014, 02:57 PM

Hey Everyone!

Since my plan is not to leave the house unless I have no other choice, I have started putting together a long term bug out bag. The bag is being assembled to provide 2 people with enough gear to accomplish this. Living in the pacific northwest means it gets cold during the winter months and at night. Staying warm while sleeping is paramount. With that in mind I was look into the military sleep systems. Then I saw the lightweight sleeping bags that compress down pretty small and thought of the layering concept trying to get the same type of warmth as the military system in a smaller/lighter package. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

**finallyME** · 05-19-2014, 03:20 PM

Look at Wiggys bags.

One thing that you have to consider is how the interact with each other. In other words, the inside one needs to be big enough for you to fit, and the outer one needs to be big enough that it doesn't compress the first ones insulation when you are in it. In other words, two sizes of bags.

**kyratshooter** · 05-19-2014, 06:25 PM

I need clarification.

Are you putting together two long term bags for inside the house or for bugging out?

If you are not leaving the house why would you need a BOB or be concerned with compressibility or sleeping bags in general?

**thercman** · 05-19-2014, 07:23 PM

"Since my plan is not to leave the house unless I have no other choice"

I was trying to explain that if I leave the house I'm probably not going to be returning. (i.e. the house is destroyed, the local nuke plant melts down etc) I am only carrying one bug out bag that has supplies for me and the wife. So it needs to provide us with a way to stay warm at night. I am trying to decide whether or not its better to carry one large heavy sleeping bag per person or a couple lighter ones for each person. (layering them) Layering would seem to have an advantage because if it gets warmer you can pull one layer or vice versa...

**Rick** · 05-19-2014, 07:37 PM

It depends on where you are bugging out to. If your home is destroyed or otherwise unlivable I assume you have insurance so you insurer will put you up in a hotel in the short term. Anything else will be relatively short term (rail train leak, swimming pool leak, industrial accident) etc. and you should be able to recoup your expenses from the offender. I have no desire to bug out to the woods when there are so many other options available. Your first chore is to figure out where you are bugging out to.

**Wildthang** · 05-22-2014, 09:31 AM

One thing you can do is just get a medium temperature light weight bag and keep a good thick wool blanket along with it. When the temperature drops you just pull out the blanket and it will supplement the sleeping bag. When it isn't cold you can use the blanket for a ground pad as long as you are on a dry surface! But a ground pad still works better than a blanket.
By the way, just remember that no sleeping bag works well in the winter without a good ground pad!

**hunter63** · 05-22-2014, 12:08 PM

So anyone tried these?
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c....aspx?a=406440

Generally use a lighter bag with w/wool blanket over/under....the pinned like a bag over a foam pad....heavy duty survival blanket as a ground cloth.

**Sunset Sam** · 05-22-2014, 12:19 PM

In my area winter nights at -35 F are not uncommon, so the down bag I personally use is a down bag designed for mountaineers and rated for that temperature. In warmer weather, I can unzip the bag for temperature control, or even just use the bag as a blanket. In any event, as Wildthang says, you've got to have a good (and large enough) ground pad. I buy a sleeping bag the next size up from the recommended size for my weight and height. That way I have room to shift around quickly (like to reach for the rifle if there is a bear in camp) and for storing things like boots that you don't want to freeze overnight.

I like the Wiggy's concept, although I have not used their brand before. Outdoors folk in my area are talking favorably about the Wiggy's fortress system. I am going by the factory in about a month to check it out (they are about 5 blocks from the big box membership store I visit semiannually). One question is quality of construction and another is what the bulk two bags take up when packed. Will you and your wife each be carrying a bag or will you do it alone?

Some manufacturers make tandem sleeping bags for couples. In theory, this allows partners to share body warmth, increasing the temperature range of the bag. Tried a couple of them, but they didn't work for me and my wife all that well.