Is it warmer to sleep naked in a sleeping bag?

Question

When camping in cold weather, some people say it is actually warmer to sleep naked than to sleep with clothes on.

Is that true, or is it better to leave warm clothes on while in the bag?

Answer 1

When talking about fresh, dry clothes then it's not true. More layers definitely equals warmer!

As pointed out in the comments if you really go to extremes then more layers doesn't necessarily equal warmer, but to get to that point you have to really cram yourself in the bag so there's no insulating air between the layers. You could also make yourself so warm you sweat which would make your clothes damp and cool you down again, but if you just wear warm enough clothes to be comfortable, not sweltering (which is surely what you want anyway!) then you shouldn't have an issue.

Where this saying may come into effect (I've heard it branded around before as well) is when you wear clothes to bed that you've already been wearing so they may be damp, or clothes that are next to damp clothes in your rucksack (somewhat surprisingly regular for the more novice hikers!) and so on with similar situations. In those cases, it's probably best to sleep without than put on damp clothes.

In summary, on all practical levels it's a myth with dry clothes and only comes into play with damp clothes, which most seasoned campers (and other people generally) know tend to make you colder anyway! There's no paradox.

Answer 2

I’m not sure where this came from, but I can assure you that on some nights people are glad to put on whatever extra layer of clothes they find in the backpack!

In other words, according to my experience there is no paradox and more clothes equals warm night.

Answer 3

Two considerations: Layers should be loose and non-constricting so as to allow good circulation. Too many layers can get tight. Also, day clothes will be damp, even if you think they aren't. Air them before bringing them into your bag if it is cold.

Answer 4

Possibly. the reason this is a consideration is best way to stay warm is with loose layers (multiple depending on the temp) that trap air pockets close to the body that are heated BY the body. if you are in your birthday suit you will trap a decent larger pocket of air around you.

BUT a single sleeping bag will NOT keep you warm this way. if you go this route here are a few things to keep in mind

1. SWEAT is your enemy. I personally would NOT go completely naked but have 1 or 2 layers on. the first would be a wicking layer like under-armor or a polypropylene or silk layer (NOT COTTON)
2. Being that your don't have as many layers ON you. you will need to re-locate those layers to the other side of the sleeping bag. that may be other sleeping bags, a blanket, a tarp around that, or (most likely a combination there of)
3. once you get out of your sleeping bag it will get REAL cold REAL quick. therefore I would leave my layers for the next day INSIDE my sleeping bag to warm up with me.
4. four words. "Bathroom trip ain't fun." you may want to keep a "pee jar" with you so you can avoid this. better yet go BEFORE you strip down. BUT IF YOU HAVE TO GO go. you WILL stay warmer with a empty tank

Answer 5

Only in contrived or extreme examples does wearing less clothing about your body in fact make you warmer when camping.

The areas where I might consider it warmer to not wear clothing inside a sleeping bag are:

• Insufficient ground insulation when sleeping on solid ice or where you have no other viable insulation. In this case, it might make more sense to place the clothes between you and the bag or between the bag and the ground / tarp. This is especially true when the uncompressed side of your sleeping bag is sufficiently lofted but the compressed side is not.
• Clothes that are wet and will chill you as the water evaporates or interfere with down insulation in the sleeping bag.
• The obvious case where being naked results in additional heat generation due to companionship or "calisthenics" - especially if your clothes are too plaid for your party.

Answer 6

I generally sleep naked in my sleeping bag. Ive slept nights where I went to sleep in my clothes, and then woke up because my feet were freezing in the middle of the night, so I took off my clothes and when back to bed, and then woke up at dawn toasty warm. And nights where I didn't do that in the same exact conditions, and suffered the night.

And these are dry clean clothes kept away from any moisture.

My theory is that my core produces a lot of heat, but my extremities are always cold. Sleeping naked lets the heat from my core make the whole sleeping bag warmer so my extremities can warm up. Layering up only reflects heat from your body back at that same part of my body, so I end up with an especially warm core, but freezing feet.

Answer 7

My experience tell me this: sleep naked always if there's no sign of a possible avalanche.

I've been in many high altitude expeditions in three Continents and have explored many vertical and horizontal caves and underground systems. Sleeping bags are best when they're good. Don't try to get a cheap offer and trade it for your safety or comfort.

In mountaineering, especially when camping at very high altitudes (5,000 metres or higher) it is recommended to sleep naked.

First, we use only down feathers sleeping bags OR linear single fiber ones -Hollofill is one of the materials made that way. The specs can go from good for 0ºC to -40ºC. Kelty, Big Agnes, Valandre, Marmot... there are many options with high quality standards. Differences are huge in price between a good sleeping bag and a bag for laying down.

One of the main reasons why sleeping naked is more comfortable and safe is that moisture in our clothes stays there for a much longer period of time than on the skin.

Second, the air cushion of warm air that our body produces by means of its own heat, is maintained between the skin and the inner layer of down -or fibers- and these let the moisture pass through their loose structures, then it's evaporated or frozen on the outside shell of the sleeping bag, keeping your body dry.

One should always make sure to undress when already inside the bag. The boots and all layers of socks must be kept inside the sleeping bag as well. This helps to dry them and keep them warm for the next morning. You can leave your parka and windbreakers outside and use them as pillows.

Going to the loo in such situation will take its time. But, if weather is just around -10ºC, you can grab your thermic undies and go outside without much fuss. Just make it fast!

Camping at warm places asks for another layer, if possible: use a light cotton sheet inside the sleeping bag. It will pass the sweat to the outside as vapour and you'll feel that smooth and fresh sensation when in contact with cotton.

Never cover a proper sleeping bag with anything. This will shut the shell's properties of heat exchange and you'll feel colder or smothered.

Try sleeping naked at home. Always take a shower before bedtime and you'll experience why sleeping naked is much better. Keep your pj's under the covers and use them if you have to get out of bed. You'll find yourself rested and fresh in the morning.

Answer 8

There is more than one reason, which makes you feel warmer sleeping with less clothes (even if it's perfectly dry):

1. It's the same deal as with mittens, which are warmer than gloves. When you wear a lot of clothes, there is additional separation between the parts of your body and more exposed surface. More surface means more heat transfer from the body to the environment. And if you share a bag with someone, you get less heat from one another.
2. What's more, your arms and legs, which produce less heat, get separated by thick clothes from your torso (and from each other). So you end up with uncomfortably (or even painfully) cold toes or arms.
3. In winter/high altitude you are usually wearing a lot of clothes and it's quite bulky. When you get into your sleeping bag like this, some parts of your body get compressed/clamped (e.g. armpits, elbows, ...). This leads to worse blood circulation and less heat for peripherial parts of your body.

There is some balance, actually: you should wear something, but not too much. I personally prefer sleeping completely naked, but high up or in winter I use Polartec-100 linen, socks and a cap with a scarf (though in these conditions I'm usually sharing the bag).

And all this doesn't mean you have to put your clothes in your backpack. You can use it to insulate your most exposed parts: the one which are closest to the tent and to the earth (actually snow). Just don't put it on but keep it loose between yourself and the sleeping bag, effectively improving bag's thickness.