Cold weather camping

[Irving]

I'm at the Army Surplus store now. They have a military bivy for $59, and it's basically like a jacket shell. I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off buying a large, square, 45 degree bag for half the price, or even a wool blanket to throw over the top of me. I'm not planning on hiking my camp in, so neither of those would be too large.

[whitewalrus]

I'm at the Army Surplus store now. They have a military bivy for $59, and it's basically like a jacket shell. I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off buying a large, square, 45 degree bag for half the price, or even a wool blanket to throw over the top of me. I'm not planning on hiking my camp in, so neither of those would be too large.

The military bivy is just a gore-tex shell - it will help a little, but if you are already inside a tent, getting more layers like the extra sleeping bag you mention would keep you warmer.

I have the 3 bag system the military uses, its great if you are taller person, but if you don't need the modularity of the system, there are other choices. I got it because I typically archery hunt, be it early or late out in the plains.

My advice: keep your clothes for the next day inside the bag, it will act as additional insulation and then it will be warm when you wake up and get into them. As mentioned by Hummer, soups and hot liquids can really warm you up and raise your morale.