In Norway we always wear wool outside. Wool under, wool over, wool socks and thin wool gloves, wool balaclava… makes a world of difference

I’m a Michigan cold weather steelhead fisherman. I can tell you that drying your feet and changing your socks is a massive game changer. I few years back, I slept in my hammock in the mid teens. I changed my socks after drying my feet at bed time and I was plenty warm. Moisture equals cold. Stay dry, stay warm.

Dude, I freaking love this guy. He's not constantly trying to beat you over the head with how cool and tough and hard-core he is. Instead, he's competent and practical, while never losing sight of the fact this is all supposed to be mostly something we do for fun adventures.

“It’s a three dog night”. Aussie advice for sleeping in your ‘swag’.

Growing up in Northern Wisconsin, it was common knowledge in my community to sleep with loose wool socks and a winter cap on cold winter nights. For me, it is a no brainer to apply this to when I actually sleep outside on cooler nights.

Speaking of fire...Native Americans use to say that "White men build a big fire, stand far away and burn lots of wood. Indians build a small fire, stand close and burn much less wood. " Lots of wood equals lots of work and vice versa. Makes sense to me. Smaller fire can be nearer the shelter making it easier to tend in the night even though it may be an extra time or two. Enjoy the videos. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks to my years in the Army, camping as a civilian is heaven. So many options, it's amazing. A watch cap and woobie (poncho liner) were common in the Army, a GP Medium tent was luxury. Getting off the ground is probably the biggest thing I've learned over the years, the thickest blanket doesn't mean much if all your body heat gets drained by the cold ground.

Let's see, you say location, we lay on snow and ice above the Arctic Circle. No forest around us. In permafrost region. Yes, only a small reflective Tarp. Yes, I use a wool blanket. I carry a 5" air mat. Of course we are usually hunting caribou. Because of this, I have 6 malimutes. These dogs love to sleep around me. Being surrounded by 6 extra large dogs. You'll stay very warm. Also, you made a comment about skills. I'll say this, many of you need to know how to build a simple all night fire.

Great tips Dan! It's hard to convince beginning campers how important clean, dry socks are for a good night's sleep. Those socks you've been slogging around in all day are mildly damp due to perspiration and on cool to cold evenings they will leave your feet frozen if you sleep in them. You can turn them inside out and keep them under the blanket with you during the night to help draw off that moisture - just don't wear them. The same is true for t-shirts and underwear, if you sleep in those.

Good tips- He is 110% correct when mentioning the more insulation between you and the ground, the better. Ive camped out in sub-zero weather using the old school OD green army "mummy" bag with a wool blanket inside the bag and have always been fine. Usually just used a sleeping mat on top of the snow, but with more time, you would want some sort of insulation on the ground- i.e... pine boughs, leaves, ect... Cool vids- keep up the good work-

Wearing a warm hat while sleeping during a cold night

I have a dedicated pair of thick wool socks that I use solely for sleeping in. A buff and a beanie also help. When the weather is super-cold, I’ve got down booties and a down balaclava that make my 27 degree sleeping back keep me adequately warm down to about 10 degrees. Good points all around!

Great video which realistically addresses what is probably the number one camping issue. The debris bedding is certainly a key to warm sleeping but I worry about ticks and spiders crawling onto me out of the debris. The answer to this is to bring a couple of the super-large, heavy-duty garbage bags and stuff the debris into them, then sleep on top of these "mattresses". Or you can bring a large sheet of plastic and throw it over the debris pile.

Love it 😍 thank you... Camping I used to take my three little dogs along...one kept my knees warm under the covers, the other slept in my arms like a baby and the third one always laid above my head...having three little Portable heaters is always good to have, plus they are real fur...and real fur is always warmer then anything man-made... (of course you got to feed that fur)!🤣😂🤣

Your comment on “ we’re bushcrafters, we walk a couple hundred yards and set up camp” was awesome. Same with your woods equals home comfort

An old man i met who sold everything to travel america in a wagon pulled by a mule , he was also on the johnny carson show about his life style , told me how you stay warm is to dig out a bed shape in the dirt and line it with coals and stones from your fire cover it back with dirt and make your bed on top and it will keep you warm all night .

amazing how most bushcraft tips bring out a reaction like "Yeah, I knew that", because most of it is simple common sense and basic problem solving. The problem with that is that a lot of people think that watching a lot of these videos is a substitute for actual practice. There is a reason that all bushcraft channels keep telling us to go out in the woods and practice. So I really appreciate you for making that call to practice with the gear we have and get used to different situations. Great video. Your channel is one of the few I where I have clicked on the bell.

Wool blanket is great in the warm weather in the UK. Say May up to early November... Then it's airmat and sleeping bag, cause I'm a baby. 😂

Camping with my Boy Scout troop in February in the 1980’s. We cowboy camped in the Chicago area , outside with a layer of hay. It was actually warmer than sleeping in a tent in the spring. The only problem was my boots frozen because I didn’t put them under my sleeping bag at night.

I’ve experimented with sewing a wool blanket into a piece of Tyvek. I stayed warm down to the mid 30’s with lightweight thermals. It’s cheap, light and helps keep blanket clean.

I’ve been sleeping with a beanie on in the winter for years since I was a kid camping as well as in the house at night when the thermostat is lowered. It definitely makes a difference with the amount of body heat you lose from your head.

Many thanks Dan, for sharing your wisdom with us. As always, a very useful video, particularly the reminder that sleeping on the trail will, in no way, ever, compare with the comforts of sleeping at home .. Cheers.

Good afternoon from Syracuse NY USA brother and everyone else

Great video, perfect timing. I'm going camping in a couple of weeks. Haven't cold camped in ages, so 5 good ideas for me to think about now, rather than later. Thanks!

Thank you for this video. You make great points! Yes, insulation between you and the ground is critical. The ground can absorb far more heat than you can ever generate. Insulation from the ground, a stout, wool blanket, a tarp to block the breeze, and a Siberian Log Fire, and you have pretty much done all you can. I especially like the tip about gloves, socks, a gaiter, and a hat. I have found these to be very important to my own comfortable sleep. Again, many thanks for this video.

I started, and continue watching, your material because of how you present the information. I wish we had someone like you to teach in the Mojave Desert.

Great tips as always…it’s the little things and attention to detail that make ALL the difference in a little bit of comfort…goes a LONG WAY!

Good stuff, right on brother! This old greybeard has tarp and blanket camped since I was a kid. Groundcover is key, as is setting the tarp to block the wind. It sure doesn’t help if your tarp is catching the cool night breeze. I like a nice bough or debris pile then a USGI shelter half tarp under me. One of the best night sleeps ever was in the rain, under a tarp on a bed of jackrabbit droppings mixed with leaves and duff. Was soft and warm. Another one was middle of Montana winter: well below zero and snowed a couple feet on us. In my bedroll and tarp under the fresh powder snow, I was comfortable warm!! The adventurous spirit is definitely imperative!! Without that: camping is a motel and roughing it is a Motel 6 lol. I refuse to use a tent because I want to be outside, not in a nylon hotel room.

Yep I have all these kinds of techniques to stay warm in north of Minnesota especially during Hunting season! Keep all ideas coming for educate others who used these ideas. Carry on!

GREAT REALISM and PRACTICAL advice here! For several years, I have used a 'Ninja Suit' of 2-piece knit wool and a Balaclava type of hood to supplement my sleeping bag in Fall and early Spring weather. My preferred wool blanket is a queen-sized waffle weave item that traps a lot of warm air. Generations of Classic Woodcraft 'Outers' have discovered that a looser weave works better as an insulator than thick, densely woven wool blankets.

I recently started assembling what I need for a wool blanket and canvas tarp bed roll. These tips will come in handy. Thanks.

Love the tip of sewing two twin blankets together. I use two blankets and pin them with exta extra large "safety" pins.

Well said. I did my first ever tarp camping last night in low 50F and wind up to 30 MPH. Standard early spring weather. The tarp took it to a whole new level! It was amazing to feel a soft breeze blow under the tarp or across your face while seeing a great view is almost indescribable. I could peek my head out and see the treetops swaying the wind...and the wind in the trees sounds almost like surf at the ocean. Really incredible! I used a cheap like $10 'fleece' blanket and a cheap walmart nysil type tarp 5ft X8ft. and a cheap yoga mat. Fantastic experience. My mistakes: A beanie would have kept me warmer, and so would some gloves- even dollar store gloves are better than nothing. And I didn't wear socks. Nice wool socks would have been nice. I had doubts going in, but the tarp experience won me over! You need to try it!

seriously Dan - no hype or BS, just a straight-up compliment to a KZfaqr who deserves it... this video, and almost all of the ones I have seen from you are WHY you are definitely in my top 3 subscriptions. The pragmatic wisdom you teach with just the right amount of humour and respect makes learning from you very pleasant. About two years ago I decided that I wanted to get into bushcrafting, which led my wife and I to start hiking. Since I am off work for four months a year (I drive dump truck and get the winter off) and I love to study (thank God for things like the internet and KZfaq) and I have 24 hours a day to do what I want to do, I spend hours every day and night just watching these types of videos. You are one of my most favourite to watch. Thanks, and please keep up the good work :-)

Awesome tips on how to make it comfortable. Thanks for the tools for the toolbox Dan!! Take care and stay safe my friend!!

Heading out this week up in the Delaware State Forrest! Weather is getting perfect! I’m stoked to be using your wool blanket! Thanks for the tips/reminders!

A hat, loose mittens, and fresh socks along with a simple tarp bivi including a wool blanket and inflatable sleep pad set up under the low branches of a cedar tree allowed me to sleep without a fire for several nights on an alpine predator hunt down to single digit temps. Great advice across in this video. I would add; don't be afraid to sleep in those cloths, wool base layers are like adding more wool blankets when you sleep so you can do yourself a lot of favors by dressing right too. I took off my outer layers of coveralls and used them as further insulation from the ground. It also helps keep your inner layers breathing, fresh, and the outer layers have some warmth for when you redress in the morning.

Fresh grass and branches have a lot of moisture, they are not good choice for making bed, as they will drain heat. The better choice: dry grass, plants, leaves. The best one: to make simple bed from dead wood and raise it above the ground. Dry wood isolates you from cold ground and prevents heat drain. With fire and heat reflector it’s a great combo to stay warm

I just wanted to tell you that your pretty awesome. I read a post you wrote not long ago and it really touched my heart. I've been praying for you and praying that you keep gods favor and blessings on your life. You have an amazing personality and drive! Keep on keeping on! God bless! ❤️💪🕊️💯🙏

I always enjoy your videos because of the well-presented information and your engaging style, a perfect balance between serious and not-so-serious. Thank you, Dan.

Great tips for some, and reminders for others. I appreciate what you present and that you do so in a fun way

Great advice Dan. keep warm, stay dry and live.

Thanks Dan, I will be out in my hammock tomorrow night. Love good wool socks. Take care.

That was awesome, thanks! I really am going to get the socks gloves and beanie for this season! I was reminded of the importance of prepping additional wood for the fire ar night. All your points are really helpful. Cheers

Absolutely agree about bringing a sleeping pad. Honestly in chilly/cool weather, if I had to choose between my high R value mat or a blanket. I'd take the mat. I use the Ascend frog creek from Bass Pro. It was the best gift.

I’ve been tarp and wool camping about a year. Was glad to have a woobie when we had second winter here in late June (Northcentral PA)

I implement most of these tips “indoors” November through March-April. Granted I’m boondocking in an RV in Canada and routinely wake up in sub-freezing temperatures. Yes, good socks are going to set you back $30+, but so worth it.

Excellent video Dan. Very good advice. These are the things that must be done and or considered for this type of camping. Thanks for the video and for sharing your thoughts, ideas and experience with us.

Hey there Dan, I’m headed out into the backwoods around me here in the mountains of SE Oklahoma this week for a Thanksgiving bushcrafting week long trip with friends and family. We are doing Boilo for thanksgiving again this year. We done it last year for the neighbors and everyone loved it. I’m sure we will have a ton of people show up for Boilo again this year! Love your channel bro. Thanks!🏴‍☠️

Went last weekend down by Spuce knob lake in WV got down to 42 was awesome was comfy and loved the sound of the water fall and nature around me

Good and sound tips all the way in this video! I do a bit of camping in Norway and here it often gets quite cold. wearing clean socks, gloves, scarf and a beanie is the way to go! In addition I can highly recommend heating water on the fire and pouring it on a bottle you bring with you under the blanket or in the sleeping bag. it will really help you staying warm! (as long as you make sure the lid is firmly on. If you make your bedding wet you will have a very uncomfortable night. )

Great stuff as usual Dan, looking forward to this time a year to get into the woods, also want to say that I love my t6zero shelter... Excellent purchase!

The clean dry socks is a trick I didn’t learn until later in life. But that’s ok, I’ve done much more cold weather camping these days than when I was a kid. Good vid Dan.

Excellent tips . Just had a tarp and wool blanket camp . 2 blankets for me . Nice one r👍🏕

Great video dude! I know it's a year old but it just came up on my feed (probobly because I've been looking st surplus blankets). I love the attitude "It's supposed to be an adventure, stop whining and do it better". At least that was what I got out of it. I'm a big guy (6'4") and I'm absolutely going to sew two blankets together as you suggested. I bought 6 old Swiss Army blankets years ago, real cheap, and two sewn together should do the trick.

Doin winter in a 12x14 wall tent in North panhandle Idaho again. Love my wool blankets.

I know the vid has to be brief and you've covered it before. But, shelter factors like prevailing wind, size and configuration of shelter, and opening seem to matter a lot as well. Keep up the wonderful content Dan.

Your Bushcraft channel is the best of the best that I have seen. I learn so much from watching your videos and practice when I can. My grandson is really got an interest in bushcrafting and I have put him on to your channel so that he can really learn something that is very useful. That means camping as well as survival. Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge with us it's very much appreciated!

Awesome Dan!! Great info, love your teaching style and to-the-point videos.

THIS was very informative, and necessary - thanks so much, Dan! 😃 👍

What an amazing day in the woods ❤

As always, very motivating vid. Thanks brother, may you stay in the woods as long as you want!!!

This guy is so casual, I love this guy! 😀

I'm so glad you said that the first night outside after leaving your previous sleeping arrangement will be restless. It's true for most campers as well.

So much amazing information packed into 15 minutes. Thank you!

Good tips. Feed the Furnace to stay warm. EAT meat before you bed down. Raise your body temperature by doing 15 minutes of exercise Jumping jacks, chopping wood etc. and Now you have two sources of heat to trap under your blanket. Wrap up in the blanket to prevent the heat from escaping. The French Fur traders would wrap their 6" wide wool sash six feet long around their waist to keep the kidneys warm, On a real cold night two guys would double layer their blankets and sleep together. On a minus 20 or 30 night four guys would share the warmth of four blankets. Wool Mittens are warmer than gloves. Nothing better than a warm tuque and dry socks. and wool top and bottom under layer. If there is snow on the ground scrap down to dirt.

Medical problems put me and my wife on the streets for some time and I promise what you said is true about the ground sucking your body heat out . We figured out quick you best have a good thick bed to lay on .

That was awesome...greetings from the FLXNF. Basics covered. I didn't do this at home... Well your not at home. We're bush crafters, Build it. Teach the next generation.

Casual tent camper here, a few things I've learned that helped me be reasonably comfortable line up with what you're saying. -Even a cheap yoga mat as a sleeping pad makes a HUGE difference. Even Just to stop the pokey bits, it helps alot. -Military surplus beanies are perfect, they don't take up much space and cost like $5. -Have a separate pair of socks for sleeping. Decent thick boot socks are again around $5. This way you have dry socks to sleep in and can dry your day socks overnight -learn one of the self-feeding fire methods. Even if it only doubles the times between refueling the fire, three hours of rest at a time beats 1.5 hours. -dont cheap out on your sleep system. Whether you're using a wool blanket or a sleeping bag, read the reviews and talk to people who are familiar with the products. Cheap ones tend to crush and trap sweat, ruining their comfort value - pajamas. You again want something dry and with no pokey bits like buttons and zippers to change into. Decent thermal pants/shirts aren't very expensive and take up little pack space. Even your favorite old sweatpants and a pullover will work, if space isn't a concern. Just having a distinct separate set of sleep clothes makes it easier to sleep, maybe from the comfort and dryness but probably also from the psychological "these are pajamas" aspect. I'm no expert, but these have helped me. Packing in a few extra pounds of stuff helps get much better sleep and is totally worth it if you're not doing long hikes to get to your site.

Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, greetings from Northern California. Thank you for sharing this informative video. You always do a great job. The best to you and your Family 👪. Stayand and healthy out there. 🤗

I like the hat, wool socks, and gloves

I used to love this kind of stuff and cowboy camped for many decades. Then I became aware of Lyme disease and it totally changed my thinking on it.

Thanks Dan! I love the larger wool blanket and wool socks w/gloves. I've used these for years.

First class tips that stink of common sense. Brilliant stuff. Great refresher course for the coming months. Off to the Scottish borders next week hiking and camping. Can't wait. Regards from the North East of England.

Always loved your videos, Dan. And as always this one does not dissapoint.

"At the end of the day, bushcraft is just a bunch of little problems we have to solve, in order to make life better" I'll tattoo this on my arm

Very good advice here on covering your head. I have always found that when I wear my wool jeep cap in cooler weather I can sleep comfy and actually use a lighter sleeping bag/blanket.

Great tips. I’m heading out tonight for a short stealth camp. Supposed to get down in the upper 30’s. No fire. But you better believe that I will have some type of debris under me. Clean wool socks and a warm hat. Cheers brother.

Years ago I bought two regular size wool blankets after checking the price of a Hudson's Bay blanket. This way I can just use one in warmer weather or two when it's getting colder. Cheers from Canada. You should try winter cycling it's a blast and I'm 72 still doing it.

Use the woolblankets for the wall tents, cabins, home bedspread, or wrapping up when around the fire or in balmy warm nights. If your in the mountains or cold and remote areas and you can't afford to fiddle around then get a proper modern quilt or sleeping bag and ground pad setup. The extra wool socks will come in handy to keep your hot water bottle insulated and safely next to you and insulated booties are the bomb. With an proper sleeping system you can go without cutting mountains of firewood and focus on other objectives. In more remote and primitive locations the modern sleeping system can also save your bacon where an old wool blanket might help you end up like old Hatchet Jack.

Most of my camping is now done in a hunting cabin. It has 4 plywood bunk beds and a wood stove, which still has to be fed wood during the night. My tip for not allowing this to interrupt my sleep is get there first and claim a top bunk. Have a better sleeping bag than the other people in your party and you will be able to outlast them when the fire burns down. They'll get cold long before you do. 🔥

Awesome video Dan!!! Some very solid tips that most of us look over.

The best time to go camping is when the temperature is mild. The people that want to go camping in bad weather/seriously cold weather. That's another game best left to those who have some experience, are fit, and maybe a couple of zippo hand warmers. I seem to recall they can run for about 8 hrs. or more. I bought two pair of ultra thick wool socks. These are very warm. You can dry a pair and wear a pair. If you squeeze the water out of soaked wool socks they can still do a decent job of keeping you warm. A dab of lanoline worked into them will help them repeal water and is good for your skin. It works for sheep it will work for you. Wool mittens work well too.

All great tips Dan. The coldest I’ve hit so far, outside, was 19 the first night, 17 the second night. The first was worse than the second in spite of the 2 degree difference. The difference was, my bedding. Oh, two points, I prefer the trapper/mountain man sleep caps in wool. But that’s a personal choice. Second, gloves okay but, mittens are preferred. Most important is as you noted…attitude. You will NEVER, have that pillow top mattress with the down comforter feel. NEVER! Don’t expect it and don’t think you can create it…it’s ground sleeping. Expect THAT. I’ve long been the two lower cost blankets sewn together guy. I don’t double them though. I go about half side by side. This gives you the thicker concentration underneath and pulling the two sides over you, creates the double top layer without sacrificing size…in fact, you gain size but, not weight. Outstanding content. Dress right, sleep tight. 👊🏻 Oh…have no idea what that song was…I was graduated in 1978 and Uncle Sam taught me practically zero about sleeping warm and comfortable on the ground with minimal weight. I learned more from the pioneers and mountain men.

All good points , I have found a wool blanket and a fluffy quilt are a better mix. Weighs nearly nothing, compresses small and can between you and the wool or on top and it works either way.

I'm a big fan of winter camping. I usually use a wool blanket, wool cap, and wool socks. Although, I tend to sleep better when my feet are cold. I will still keep wool socks on standby. I will also wrap a shemagh or gaiter around my neck. I don't really worry about gloves. Coldest I have gone was about -9°F, my camp was about 30°-40° F with a long fire.

I believe the bed you lay on is almost more important then what you cover with I sleep outside almost every day during the week working in the woods and I have found that a good thick bed not only is more comfortable but also makes your sleeping bag or blankets perform much much better in lower temps I had a 6” pad under a 0° bag with a canvas tarp over me and a small fire in -27° and was perfectly comfortable but I’ve shivered all night in the same bag tossed straight on the ground in 40°

I did an overnight trip with only a wool blanket in a hammock...my first and last hammock use. I ended up sleeping on the ground with a small pad and was warm enough for most of the night. I woke up cold, put on more clothes and did fine after that. I personally like a better sleep system, but know that in a pinch my dad's old army blanket will do just fine.

“Leave grape feeding lady at home to experience nature” got it 👍🏻

Yes, this video pumps me up Let’s GO! Can’t wait to take a class 👍

Man! I would love to have access to a patch o woods where I could throw up a nice 9x9 plow point canvas, lay some leaves down, roll out a woolly, build a fire reflector, get a nice long fire going for the night. I have to stick with state park campgrounds where either you need a coleman tent with the tarp bathtub floor or a hammock system because when it rains substantially the whole site turns into a pond.😅. They fill these tentsites with crusher run in hopes that it drains but it doesn’t all that well. Great vid sir for sure! I really enjoyed it! Thank you!!

To help stay warm at night remember what coalcracker just said but one important thing you must remember, remove the clothes you had on during the day. Those clothes have absorbed the moisture, sweat, you produce all day and those materials with your body moisture will keep you cold.

I like your channel, it is my favorite as far as bush craft is concerned. As I watch videos on KZfaq, I think there is way too much focus on something to keep you warm through the night. In the case of car camping, it is diesel heaters. In the case of more primitive camping, it is fire. Why not just take a good sleeping system with you. It is not any harder than carrying a tarp and wool blanket. It is called sleeping pad and sleeping bag. You stay warm all night without having to get up, except to pee. I have camped in the mountains of northern New Mexico at over 11,000 ft in the dead of winter without the need to keep a fire going. The temperatures can get so low that digital thermometers can stop working. I like the ambiance of fire, I get it. But in a time of so much wild fire danger out west, It is bad form to be using camp fire in the first place.

I love how everything gets tossed to the side like it's a bad magic trick 🤣. thanks for all the tips.

Something I have used since as far back as I can remember is a space blanket. They are a great ground cover, very light, and it reflects your body heat. My wool blanket keeps the cool off my top.

I hate getting up to pee at 3am; that's when I get cold. Other than that, my sleeping pad, Marino Wool baselayer, and Army wool blanket do me fine. Yeah, keeping feet and hands warm is a must as well. Great vid!

I did an experiment at home. I have a taken to wearing thin summer weight ankle length socks in bed this winter here in the UK and I deliberately turned down my heating to stay around 10 degrees centigrade at night. Not freezing cold but cold enough. I can sleep easily and comfortably under a 9 tog quilt all night with thin socks and wake up really cold without. Just a pair of thin socks makes that much difference. Incidentally, in summer if you are struggling to sleep on a hot night. Soak a pair of sport socks in water and squeeze out a bit then put them on and pull up over the ankles. Guarantee you will feel cold after an hour. Dry socks versus wet socks perfect comfort over a 10 - 30 degree centigrade range.

Yo, sick knuck tatz Dan 🤘

Great tips and advice, as always!!!

Smart watch idea is great. Silent alarms are amazing