best wool blankets and decent 4 season tent help

G

grunt soldier

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2009
Messages
4,554
i am trying to get my wife into cold weather camping. i want some nice soft wool blankets ( we will have sleeping bags also) but just to add warmth and a bit of a back up plan as our bags are down so if they get wet i want to still be warm. i see a lot of people recommend the Swedish officers blanket from sierra trading post but they seem to be out. anyone know where i can get a couple for the same price point and if not anyone know of another solid soft wool blanket that could serve this purpose? light weight would be nice but i know its not super feasible. any suggestions

also if possible a light weight four season tent that isn't going to kill my bank account (if this is possible lol)

any help is appreciated as i prefer cold weather to the hot hot summers but she doesn't lol. any help is appreciated
 
Sportsman's guide has Italian military blankets for under $30. Other places seem to be sold out.
I've seen Dutch, Swiss, German, Austrian, and British ones floating around aswell.
I've never used a tent in my life so I can't help you there.
 
If you want your wife to enjoy the outdoors in the cold then make sure you have a really good ground cloth and ground pad (Exped 9 would be great). Don't scrimp on a good pad both in terms of warmth and comfort. The Exped is the best cold weather pad I've tried so far. It is very comfortable and extremely warm. I train/camp at elevations over 5000' and have never been dissapointed yet.

Since in the winter you don't have any bugs to content with; ditch the tent idea and go with a 10' x 10' tarp and learn how to make a couple different designs AND learn how to construct a reflective warming fire to heat the tarp. With the tarp and a warming fire you get the romance and ambiance plus you and your wife will be super warm/cozy and comfortable. Stock pile a lot of wood at your head and just roll over, toss another log on the fire, snuggle and go back to sleep.

I've been so warm from the fire in mine during a sub-teen snow blizzard I had to sleep most of the night on top of the sleeping bag.

The key is keep her warm, create an "environment" she can enjoy, keep her safe, and keep her warm.

Tents are cold and confining. Just a thought...
 
Last edited:
a lightweight four season "tent" to look at would one of the several "mids" (pyramids) that Mountain Laurel Designs, Oware, Black Diamond, etc offer, may are just a s suitable for three season use as well (most have an option for a inner tent w/ bug screen for summer use)

I purchased a MLD Duomid for just that- year round use

RyanTealeduomid.jpg


+1 on a proper pad, you can have the best -20 bag and freeze if you don't have adequate padding underneath- get familiar w/ r ratings and what you'll need to keep you warm at the temps your looking at

also keep in mind that woman typically sleep colder- so a slightly warmer bag and pad might be in order

I can't see any reason to carry wool blankets w/ a good bag and a good pad

I can see looking into a lightweight breathable bivy, protects the bag (they typically have a waterproof bottom) and even adds a few degrees of efficiency to your bag

winter camping, with some careful planning, can be very comfortable and very rewarding- crowds are not something you have to worry about in the winter :)
 
You have to be aware that if you go too warm, you'll sweat. Which in turn will chill you and make things miserable! Layers of blankets and sleeping bags can cause you to overheat, especially with two people. Your best bet is to get a good sleeping pad/ ground insulator, two good sleeping bags that zip together and then get naked (seriously!). Combined body heat will keep you warm and clothing will impede that. Ask any Inuit. Another creature comfort is a hot water bottle. You can make one with a nalgene bottle and a towel. Put it down by your feet. Finally, with a little care your down bags will stay dry. Have a good shelter system in place, enforce a few minor rules (no wet gear on the sleeping bags/brush off snow before entering etc.) and you'll be fine.These are lessons learned from sleeping in an igloo on a lake in -47 C below, so I think you'll be good:D Trust me, once your partner is on board, its a great experience!:thumbup:
 
I'm also a fan of pyramid tents, but I don't think they're all that great for camping with the wife. The problem is that darn pole in the middle. While it's possible for two people to squeeze to one side of the pole, one of you is going to be brushing up against the (wet from condensation) side of the tent.
 
I dunno know your budget, but for a solid (and still in the *somewhat reasonable* price range) 4-season tent use here's my standard recommendation:

http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-811-Foot-Three-Person-Four-Season-Expedition/dp/B000EQ81H4

No better price for a rock-solid 4-season tent. If i were starting all over again and needed a base-camp sorta winter tent, this is what i'd buy. In fact, if/when i start running winter camp trips for my work, these are what i'll buy.

I currently have a custom 4-season mountaineering tent, a "standard" double-wall 4-season mountaineering tent, maybe 3 other 3/4 season tents and have had many others in the past that have worn out/been destroyed. For a double-wall 4-season tent this Eureka offering takes a back seat to none (including North Farce, Mountain Hardware, MSR, Marmot, Sierra Designs, etc).
 
As others have noted here, a good ground pad is essential for cold weather camping (warm, too, unless you like rocks and roots sticking into your ribs). We use Thermarest pads for all seasons camping, as they can be deflated and compressed into a compact roll for packing. Down is great -- warm, very compressible, but if you're worried about it getting damp, consider some of the excellent synthetic insulations available. They are just as warm as down (generally), don't absorb moisture, but are usually a bit bulkier and slightly heavier. Polarfleece long johns and tops, and a toque for serious cold will add warmth and won't absorb moisture that destroys the insulating properties.
 
Oh yeah, for cold weather camping, make sure you use 2 sleeping mats - 1 closed-cell foam (US Army issue one is THE best) and a self-inflating/Exped type.

Even if you go with a tarp shelter and use fire for heat, my sleeping mat recommendation stands. A very common reason people get cold when winter camping (in a tent) is from using an inadequate sleeping mat system.
 
i guess i should have noted that we have very solid pads. we both have thermarest inflatable versions and for winter i also bring the cheap walmart blue pads to go underneath for the extra protection. she wants the tent as it makes her feel more secure i guess. i usually just use a tarp but she isn't really feeling that. the wool blanket is/was my thing. i just remember nights in the army soaking wet and the wool keeping me warm still. though those blankets were scratchy as can be. i suppose its probably over kill
 
Scott Free said:
I'm also a fan of pyramid tents, but I don't think they're all that great for camping with the wife. The problem is that darn pole in the middle. While it's possible for two people to squeeze to one side of the pole, one of you is going to be brushing up against the (wet from condensation) side of the tent.
Click to expand...

I've found I prefer using an inverted V (two trekking poles)- gives you more room and is more sturdy yet

1248921184_14876.jpg
 
Is there a connector or something? Or are the ends of the poles just pushed up into the peak? In any case, it's a good idea. I sold my Megamid a long ago because of the center pole. I looks like I'm in the market for a new tent again. :)
 
no connector into the tent, but the trekking poles are lengthened use a pole jack. some folks forego the jacks (and save a couple of oz :)) and use two sets of trekking poles lashed together
 
Avoid the italian wool blankets. Look instead for german surplus blankets; there are some on the market now that are like new condition despite their 60's manufacture dates, very thick and warm. They say 'Bundes Eigentum' on them and are a darkish brown.

Bundes Eigentum means government property, I think...
 
I just got two of the Italian wool blankets about three weeks ago and love them. It just takes a few days to air them out. Why do you say avoid them? One tip for using the blankets. You will stay warmer and be a lot more comfortable if you put one between your sleeping bag and mat(s). I have never found any mat to be comfortable.
 
numberthree said:
Avoid the italian wool blankets. Look instead for german surplus blankets; there are some on the market now that are like new condition despite their 60's manufacture dates, very thick and warm. They say 'Bundes Eigentum' on them and are a darkish brown.

Bundes Eigentum means government property, I think...
Click to expand...

A second for WHY to avoid the Italian wool blankets. They seem to be the only ones available at my local Surplus store.
 
Ahh winter camping with your wife. I used to do quite a bit with my wife and I learned a few things early on, which I'll share below. As for the tent, I'd look at what REI has to offer in the 4 season category, you should be able to find something in the $300-350 range. Winter tents are basically more robust [less mesh, higher-denier fabric, more poles]. Sleeping bags, I assume they're rated for the conditions you'll be in? If you're doing multi-day trips with down bags, make sure you have a vapor barrier liner [VBL] - one or two nights is no big deal. I never bothered with anything other than the sleeping bags and the therm-a-rests, but tossing-down a wool or synthetic blanket onto the bottom of the tent [with the therm-a-rests on top] would make for a cozy environment. Just remember that if you're camping on snow that blanket might be quite damp by morning due to condensation [that's why I never bothered].

Helpful tips for camping with your wife [from my own experience].

1] Women are more susceptible to cold than men. Make sure she has a warm down parka or similar that she can throw on during breaks and around camp.

2] If you're trudging around in the snow, make sure she has gators on to keep her feet dry and therefore warm.

3] Buy or even rent a damn warm sleeping bag. My wife has a -40C sleeping bag [nowhere near the temps we camp in, but it's comfortable for her].

4] A little pampering goes a long way to keeping her happy and itching to do more. When we get to our camping spot, we'd get the tent up fast and she'd get right into her sleeping bag to warm-up. I'd make her a Nalgene bottle full of hot water and she'd use it like a hot water bottle. I'd keep preparing/building the camp and securing our skis or snowshoes. Then I'd climb in and make her dinner. All easy to do and just keeps the experience positive.

5] Make sure she has decent gear i.e. make sure your gear and her gear are comparable. Our first "winter" trip together was around this time of year. There was 3-4' of snow down already. Her own gear was fine for 3 season, inadequate for 4. We had to invest heavily following that trip. If she's keen to get out a lot, make the investment.

Quirt mentioned below the Exped Down Mat 9 - I give the big 'ol +1 on that. They are very warm [R8 - thermal resistance - a therm-a-rest is around R1.5], but very very expensive. I bought one this year and I am looking forward to using it on snow. Maybe you could buy a used one. Have fun and keep the objectives reasonable.
 
What do you want from a 4 season tent?

If you want an inexpensive free standing tent that will sit on the snow, then look at a Eurka Timberline
I used one for years, for snow camping

leave the blankets and the wieght you save will be made up for this slightly heavier tent
 
Mongo said:
A second for WHY to avoid the Italian wool blankets. They seem to be the only ones available at my local Surplus store.
Click to expand...

I have both the Italian and the German. Both are good IMO. The German has different end stitching that some may think is better, but they are both 100% wool, which matters most. The Italian jobs are still a good quality blanket. There are some blankets sold by vendors claiming to be made in those countries that are NOT 100% wool and are of lesser quality out there. If you find a "wool blanket" that claims it is, or is, softer than most, be skeptical. It is usually a wool/poly blend. One I can think of in particular is of the Italian type that has frayed tassels on the ends. That may be the type he is talking about. I think the best thing you can do is see and touch them for yourself at the store and make sure it is all wool. If buying online, lots and lots of research is the key.

Wool blankets are great, but the can be very heavy if treking very far.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top