When planning a winter camping trip, the biggest concern is the cold while sleeping.
Even with a three-season sleeping bag, there are limits to how much you can wear underneath.
However, full-fledged winter sleeping bags are quite expensive, so I'm hesitant to buy one.
Therefore, I recommend bringing a futon and blankets with you.
Now let's look at ways to use blankets during winter camping.
High-performance sleeping bags are expensive, but a blanket and hot water bottle are effective.
Sleeping bags designed for use in sub-zero temperatures (indicated as usable temperature ranges from -1°C to -X°C) from well-known brands typically cost around 50,000 yen or more, making them unaffordable for most.
NANGA Sleeping Bag UDD BAG 630DX
NANGA Sleeping Bag UDD BAG 630DX
¥55,000 etc.
If you're considering using a sleeping bag, you should choose one of at least this quality; otherwise, you'll likely find it lacking in functionality and end up having to buy a replacement later.
That's where the futon and hot water bottle tag team comes in.
Before going to bed, I warm my futon with a hot water bottle, then I hug it while I sleep.
This will significantly reduce the chill at night.
Please recommend just one hot water bottle.
Maruka Hot Water Bottle A-Ace 2.5L with Bag
Main unit size: Approximately 9.5 cm (width) x 21.6 cm (depth) x 7.4 cm (height), corrugated iron sheet thickness: Approximately 0.5 mm
Weight: 0.61kg
Materials: [Body] Hot-dip galvanized steel plate/[Mouthpiece] Brass/[Gasket] Synthetic rubber
Country of origin: Japan
Accessories: Spare gasket, bag included
Capacity: Approximately 2.5L
This is a traditional hot water bottle.
The best thing about this hot water bottle is that it's "durable."
Even if you accidentally drop it in the dark, it will only dent and won't break.
In campsites with ropes that make it easy to trip, and assuming you'll be using the hot water bottle while sleeping, you'll likely be preparing it after dark, making it quite possible to trip and drop it.
If you drop a plastic bottle on a stone, in the worst-case scenario it could crack and leak hot water.
If it's visibly leaking, you can decide not to use it, but if it leaks slowly while you're sleeping, it's extremely dangerous as you could get burned.
You could also consider using a rechargeable electric foot warmer, but its power consumption is around 400W, and it would be inefficient to use the 700-1000W of power available at a powered campsite to charge a family's devices.
In addition, there's the concern that vibrations during car travel could cause malfunctions.
We boil water over a campfire and use it; by morning, it's the perfect temperature for washing our faces. It teaches children the importance of taking care of things, and it's a way for parents to reaffirm that importance themselves.
It's also compatible with induction cooktops, making it convenient for home use. (Not microwave-safe)
The important thing is to make sure you fill it completely with hot water. Otherwise, the air inside will expand, which could lead to damage to the device or burns.
When using, wrap the product in a drawstring bag or towel to prevent direct contact with the skin. This can lead to unexpected burns.
The advantages of bringing a futon to winter camping.
It costs almost nothing.
Bring your own bedding; this will save you money and make winter camping much more accessible.
There's no need to buy new equipment specifically for camping.
Having a futon dryer makes it even warmer.
If the campsite has AC power, bring your own futon dryer that you use at home to care for your bedding.
If you turn it on before going to bed, you can sleep comfortably in a warm, cozy place.
Most futon dryers consume around 500W of power, so a power supply of 700-1000W at a power site should be sufficient for use.
To be safe, check the "Power Consumption" section on the device you are bringing with you before using it.
Most models have this information in the user instructions section on the side of the device.
Disadvantages of bringing a futon or blanket
While sleeping in a futon can provide a comfortable sleep, there are also downsides.
Let's take a look.
They are bulky, so they may not fit in a car.
Unlike sleeping bags, futons that cannot be compressed to make them smaller inevitably take up a lot of space when not in use.
Because it takes up a lot of space when packed, it may not fit in your car in some cases. This is especially true for family camping trips with many family members.
In such cases, why not try using vacuum storage bags for bedding?
This way, you can save storage space when transporting it from your home.
However, this will become extra baggage when packing up.
So what should we do...?
If you're not going to be traveling by car, you should definitely consider a sleeping bag or a cot.
Let's seriously consider getting a sleeping bag.
A cot, which keeps you off the ground and reduces the cold from below, is also effective.
If it's difficult to provide sleeping bags for everyone, you could have the children use winter sleeping bags while Mom and Dad use cots.
