How to avoid getting cold feet in a sleeping bag

Cold weather that cannot be solved with just a sleeping bag

(Temperatures in the article are described in Celsius).

When I sleep in a tent, I use Mont-bell Down Hugger 800 #3 as my sleeping bag.

Based on the EN13537 rating, this sleeping bag is suitable mainly for early spring and autumn. However, when I used it in early November, I found myself waking up several times with cold feet.

The lowest temperature at that time was 5 to 6 degrees Celsius, but I woke up feeling cold inside my sleeping bag.

Solving the problem of cold feet in a sleeping bag

Here are some ways to keep your feet warm while you sleep:

• Wear layers of socks
• Put a disposable warmer at the foot of your sleeping bag
• Place a hot water bottle at your feet
• Wear tent shoes

Wear layers of socks

This is the easiest method. Wear thick socks that will keep your ankles and fingertips warm in addition to the socks you normally wear.

Wearing layers of socks increases the insulation of your feet and improves their ability to keep you warm.

You can keep your toes warm by wearing two pairs of thick socks or layering them with wool socks.

However, if you wear too many layers of socks, the inside of your shoes will become tight and may actually reduce blood circulation, so it is important to choose socks that are appropriately thick.

Socks lose their warmth when wet, so wash and dry your feet before going to bed.

Place a disposable warmer at the foot of your sleeping bag

Disposable body warmers are items that cause a chemical reaction when they come in contact with oxygen, generating warmth.

You can keep your feet warm by placing a disposable warmer at the foot of your sleeping bag.

However, be careful not to transfer too much heat from the warmer as it may tear your sleeping bag or burn your feet.

Before going to bed, adjust the warmth of your feet and place the warmer in the appropriate position.

Place a hot water bottle at your feet

A hot water bottle is a heating item that is filled with hot water and can be placed near your feet to keep them warm. Due to its high heat retention, the heat will not only warm your feet but also the entire inside of the sleeping bag.

However, hot water bottles maintain a high temperature, so if you use them as is, you may burn your feet. It should be wrapped in a towel and used without direct contact with the feet.

Wear tent shoes

Tent shoes are shoes to be worn inside a tent. Lightweight, heat-retaining shoes designed to be worn inside a tent.

By wearing tent shoes, you can prevent your feet from getting cold. Choose ones with thick soles to keep your feet from getting cold.

Wearing them inside the tent will keep your feet warm and prevent heat from escaping into your sleeping bag.

They are generally designed to be breathable and prevent your feet from getting stuffy. Not only does it keep your feet warm, but it also helps keep the inside of your tent clean.

Tent shoes are classified into two types.

1. Something similar to room shoes worn inside a tent.
2. Something to wear inside your sleeping bag to protect you from the cold.

Tent shoes, which are worn inside a sleeping bag to protect against the cold, have the following characteristics because the soles are not processed.

• You won’t feel any discomfort even if you wear them while sleeping.
• It’s not designed to walk around.

The good points about tent shoes are as follows.

• There are tent shoes made of down material.
• Some are cheaper
• Light and compact
• You can add warmth by putting disposable warmers inside your shoes.

I got a comfortable sleep even at a temperature of 2 degrees Celsius

I was able to avoid getting cold feet by using down tent shoes.

I was able to get a comfortable sleep even in an environment with a temperature of 2 degrees Celsius.

If you too have had the painful experience of getting cold feet in a sleeping bag, please try down tent shoes.