How cold is too cold to sleep outside?

Question

My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I've always wanted to sleep on the patio outside our condo. Well, we're blizzarded in, I'm not working this morning, and I'm thinking about it all over again.

Sure, I'll probably sleep inside tonight, but HOW cold is too cold?

Keep in mind, I don't have any specialized equipment. I'd like to try it with just blankets, comforters, coats, that sort of thing.

And yes, it's stupid.

Answer 1

Try and do it the first time when it's above or very near freezing. If it gets too cold, you'll probably just come inside. If it gets much below freezing and you're not decently insulated, it's possible you could get frostbite (more likely on exposed skin or in extremities).

Around or above freezing, you should be ok with enough layers of loose insulation and isolation from the ground and wind. Watch out for exposed skin like your nose. If most of you is good and warm, you probably have enough body heat to keep your exposed surfaces from freezing.

Wear a hat. Maybe have a light polartec blanket over your face, or at least snugged up close. Stay dry. Avoid cotton clothing and bedding. Use wool or poly fabrics.

Have fun. I think it's a good thing to try for yourself.

I've slept out as a kid in a cabin with no heat and all our eggs were frozen in the morning. I've slept out in the open in a cheap sleeping bag and woke up covered with snow. So, really, probably not too big a risk.

But, it's all up to you - no warranty on my advice!!!

:-)

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How cold is too cold to sleep outside?
My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I've always wanted to sleep on the patio outside our condo. Well, we're blizzarded in, I'm not working this morning, and I'm thinking about it all over again.

Sure, I'll probably sleep inside tonight, but HOW cold is too cold?

Keep in...

Answer 3

The answer depends directly on the quality of gear that you have. With the right gear, I have slept comfortably below 0 degrees. I also found myself shivering while trying to sleep without proper clothing and shelter on a 40 degree summer night.

So, to maximize your comfort, I would recommend the following:

I would definitely recommend using a closed cell foam pad to sleep on top of. They are pretty cheap (~$10) and they will prevent your body heat from being lost through conduction to the ground.

A shelter is important to keep wind from robbing you of heat through convection and to keep snow/rain off of you. I prefer using a tarp myself and stretching it in an a-frame using ropes. A tarp is superior to a tent in that condensation doesn't happen as much.

For a sleeping bag, go with either down fill or a synthetic fill. No cotton. Bags are also rated based on temperature ranges. For winter camping, I would go with a 0 degree or colder bag. I also have a fleece liner in mine that feels warm the second I crawl in. Never sleep in wet clothing. I like to sleep in my polypropylene longjohns and put on fresh, dry wool socks. A trick that I've learned is to put boiling water in a Nalgene bottle, screw the lid on tight and throw it in your sleeping bag.

Another trick is to put your boots between your sleeping bag and your foam pad so that you are laying on the laces and the soules are sticking out. This prevents the top of the boot from freezing overnight (and becoming a real pain to put on in the morning) and it keeps you from rolling off your foam pad overnight.

Answer 4

it is too cold to sleep outside when is snowing. i just guessing, i never try sleping outside before

Answer 5

As long as you can stand it, go for it. I mean, people sleep on the side of Mt. Everest.

Answer 6

if u have the stuff to do it..then thats fine..but around 10 degrees..or below..i wouldnt even go outside..becuz u can get veryy sick.