Going Commando in a Sleeping Bag: Smart Choice or Risky Move?

Cartoon image of a shirtless man sleeping naked in a sleeping bag

When it comes to camping, there’s one debate that stirs up quite a bit of chatter among outdoor enthusiasts: should you sleep naked or wear pajamas inside your sleeping bag? It’s a question that sparks laughter, curiosity, and even a few raised eyebrows around the campfire. Some swear by the freedom of going au naturel, while others cling to their cozy PJs like a trusty old friend. But what’s the real scoop?

Understanding your options is key to achieving that perfect night’s sleep . Comfort and warmth are at the heart of this dilemma. After all, nothing ruins a serene night in nature faster than shivering from the cold or feeling restricted by your clothing.

In this article, we’ll dive into the merits of both choices, exploring how each affects your body heat, movement, and overall camping experience. So grab your marshmallows and settle in—let’s unravel this little debate together!

Going Naked in a Sleeping Bag: Benefits and Drawbacks Explained

I wouldn’t recommend stripping down in your sleeping bag, but there are loads of experienced campers that choose to sleep in the nude or just wear their underwear to bed. There are plenty of situations where that makes sense, but just as many times where it doesn’t.

Sleeping naked will make you colder, expose the sleeping bag to sweat, dirt, body oils, prematurely wears your sleeping bag, and it puts you in a compromised situation with only a thin fabric wall between you and the outdoors. Packing in sleeping clothes adds a little bit of weight to your pack, but it’s almost always better to wear something to bed.

If you do decide to strip down, I highly recommend purchasing a sleeping bag liner. It will make you warmer at night and keep your sleeping bag clean. Sea to summit makes the best sleeping bag liners and they come in a variety of temperature ratings.

I use the Reactor Extreme liner which adds 25°F of warmth to your bags temperature rating and it’s warm enough to be used by itself on cool summer nights. Even a cheap Coleman Liner will add 15°F to your bags temperature rating and its temperature rating is like a 50°F sleeping bag. Adding a liner to your bag will reduce wash cycles and extend the life of your sleeping bag.

In the rest of this post I’ll go over a few of the key benefits and drawbacks to sleeping naked. Ultimately, you’re the only one that can decide which choice is right for you. 

Ventilation and Comfort

Cartoon image of a man in pajamas in his sleeping bag. Large drops of sweat are rolling down his face

Many campers and backpackers find that going commando in a sleeping bag can significantly enhance airflow and comfort. You get to feel the breeze blowing through the tent’s screens and your body can breathe more freely. This is a huge benefit during warmer nights or in humid environments.

The increased ventilation helps to wick away moisture and prevent that clammy feeling that often accompanies a long day of hiking. This can lead to a more restful night’s sleep, giving you a chance to recharge for a long day of hiking ahead.

Comfort levels can vary greatly between wearing underwear and going without. Personal preference plays a significant role in this decision. For some, the absence of fabric around the waist can create a sensation of freedom and reduce the risk of bunching or shifting that often occurs with traditional underwear. 

Others may feel more secure and comfortable with a layer between their skin and the sleeping bag. It’s important to experiment and find what works best for you, as comfort is subjective and can greatly impact your quality of sleep.

Temperature Regulation

Temperature regulation is another crucial factor to consider when deciding whether to go commando. While increased ventilation may help keep you cool, it can also expose your body to cooler air, especially in colder climates. 

On chilly nights, the warmth provided by an additional layer of clothing can be comforting and necessary for a good night’s sleep. Campers should be mindful of their surroundings and forecasted temperatures, adjusting their sleeping attire accordingly to strike the right balance between comfort and warmth.

Ease of Movement

Few things can rival the liberating feeling of sleeping naked in your sleeping bag. You can twist, turn, and stretch as you please, without having pajamas bunching behind your back. 

This freedom is especially delightful after a long day of hiking, when you just want to feel unencumbered and relaxed. Imagine feeling the cool night air against your skin while snuggled up in your cozy sleeping bag—it’s a sensory experience like no other!

On the flip side, wearing pajamas inside a sleeping bag can offer its own set of perks. For some, the snugness of pajama pants or a soft top can add an extra layer of warmth. I’m that kind of guy! I can’t sleep unless I’m all snuggled up.

It’s important to consider how those layers might restrict your movement. You might find yourself wrestling with tangled fabric as you shift positions or adjust your sleeping bag. Tossing and turning all night is the last thing you want after a long day on the trail. You may want to weigh your options carefully if you’re the type of person that shifts positions all night.

Personal preference plays a huge role in determining what feels best for you. While some outdoor enthusiasts swear by the freedom of going au naturel, others find comfort and security in their favorite pair of hiking sleepwear.

Here’s a guide on what clothes you should wear to bed on a camping trip

It’s not uncommon for campers to bring along their most comfortable pajama set—a soft flannel shirt or lightweight shorts can evoke feelings of home and coziness even in the wilderness. Ultimately, it’s about finding that sweet spot between comfort and practicality.

Incorporating outdoor sleeping tips can also help guide your decision. For example, if you’re camping in a warm climate, you might lean towards sleeping naked to stay cool. Conversely, during colder months, a lightweight base layer could provide just the right balance of warmth and mobility.

Hygiene Considerations

Hygiene can take a backseat to adventure, but it shouldn’t be neglected—especially when considering whether to sleep naked or in pajamas. Sleeping naked might feel liberating, but is it worth the potential hygiene concerns that come along for the ride. 

For instance, if you’ve been hiking all day there’s no way to avoid dirt, sweat, body oils and who knows what else. Climbing into your sleeping bag without any barriers probably isn’t the best idea. Nature has a way of getting us grimy, and while that earthy smell might not bother you now, it’s not what you want to infuse into an expensive sleeping bag.

Wearing pajamas can serve as a protective layer between you and your sleeping bag. Lightweight, breathable fabrics can help prevent sweating while keeping your bag clean from sweat and skin oils. This should help extend its lifespan and maintain its insulation properties. 

Plus, pajamas can act as an extra layer of warmth during those chilly nights—a win-win situation for camping hygiene and nighttime warmth! So, if you’re someone who values their gear and wants to keep it fresh for future camping trips, throwing on some comfy PJs might be the way to go.

Regardless of your choice, maintaining cleanliness is key to keeping your gear clean. If you opt for sleeping in the nude, consider using a compact towel to wipe off sweat and dirt before slipping into your sleeping bag. 

This simple act can significantly improve your camping hygiene and help avoid any unpleasant odors the next morning. If pajamas are more your style, be sure to choose moisture-wicking fabrics that will keep you dry while also combating any potential funk. I like to wear the same merino wool base layer bottoms that I wear under my pants.

Ultimately, finding the right balance between comfort and cleanliness is essential for a good night’s sleep. Whether you decide to embrace the freedom of sleeping naked or snuggle into some cozy pajamas, just remember to keep hygiene in mind. After all, no one wants to wake up in the morning feeling like they’ve rolled around in a dirt pile—unless that’s part of the adventure!

How Sleeping Bags Keep You Warm and Why It’s Better To Wear Clothes To Bed

cartoon image of a sleeping bag laying on the floor. The floor is covered with feathers that fell out of the sleeping bag.

Sleeping bags are designed to trap your body heat preventing it from escaping. It’s almost like the insulation in the walls of your house. Adding more insulation to the exterior walls of your house will increase the efficiency of your furnace trapping in heat.

When you crawl into a sleeping bag your body acts like a furnace heating up the inside of the bag. Your body’s metabolism burns stored fat, glycogen, etc. and releases body heat to warm up the bag. Heat transfers from hot to cold areas. So if the outside temperatures are colder than the bag you’ll slowly lose heat through the bags insulation.

Hopefully you chose a sleeping bag with a temperature rating 15°F colder than expected nighttime temps so your body can produce enough heat to maintain the temperature in the bag. Wearing additional layers to bed and using a sleeping bag liner will add insulation to the bag and help the temperature rating.

Stripping down won’t be a big deal if your sleeping bag is within the recommend temperature range, but you’ll quickly lose body heat if you underestimate the nighttime temperatures. That’s why I always wear a pair of long johns, sweatpants or pajamas on chilly nights.

It’s so much easier to unzip the sleeping bag to let in cool air than get out of your bag and throw on warmer clothes. At the very least you’ll want to wear socks to bed. I hate sleeping in socks, but your feet are always the coldest part of a sleeping bag. Your body releases most of its heat through your torso and legs so the bottom of the bag will get cold before the rest of the bag.

Sleeping Naked Will Ruin Your Bag

cartoon image of a sleeping bag in a garbage can

Backpackers really shouldn’t wash their sleeping bags between every trip. Washing between every trip will significantly reduce the lifespan of your sleeping bag (especially with down filling). Washing machines tear through sleeping bags and insulation will compact with every wash cycle hurting the temperature rating.

Sleeping naked will increase the amount of grime that gets on your bag. The average person releases 2 liters of sweat per night in their sleep. It’s like dumping a 2 liter bottle of sweat in your sleeping bag every night! That sounds pretty terrible to me.

You also have to factor body oils, salt, and all the dirt you picked up on the trail. An entire days worth of filth will get into your bag without access to a shower. Wearing clothes to bed will add a layer between your dirty body and the inside of your bag.

If you can’t wash the bag how can you keep it from getting nasty? Wearing clothes to bed will help, but if you insist on sleeping naked you should take another step to protect your bag. I highly recommend using a sleeping bag liner to protect the inside of your bag. They absorb all the sweat and dirt so you won’t have to wash your bag between trips.

Sleeping bag liners are more durable so they’ll hold up in the washing machine and there’s no insulation layer so you don’t have to worry about damaging the temperature rating. Just toss the liner in your washing machine on Hot and wash it like any other blanket.

I’ve always used the Sea To Summit Reactor Extreme liner, but it can be pricey. It adds 25°F to your bags temperature rating and it’s heavy enough to be used instead of a sleeping bag down to about 50°F nights. If you can’t fit a Sea To Summit liner into your gear budget Coleman’s Sleeping Bag Liner is a much cheaper alternative. It’s on the heavy side at 1lb 10oz, but it’s cheap and adds 12°F to your bags temperature rating.

Perspectives from Outdoor Enthusiasts

When it comes to the great sleeping bag debate, outdoor enthusiasts are as varied in their preferences as the landscapes they explore. A recent poll conducted among campers and hikers revealed some intriguing insights: a surprising 60% of respondents preferred sleeping in pajamas, while the remaining 40% embraced the freedom of sleeping naked or underwear. 

These numbers, however, don’t tell the whole story. Anecdotal evidence suggests that personal experiences greatly influence these choices. For example, one camper recounted a chilly night spent in nothing but a sleeping bag, leading to an unexpected encounter with a raccoon that made them reconsider their sleepwear choice for future trips!

Many outdoor adventurers have their own unique reasons for choosing between pajamas and nudity. Some swear by the ease of movement that comes with sleeping naked, claiming it allows them to shift positions freely throughout the night without feeling restricted. Others, however, find comfort in cozying up in soft fabric, citing that their sleepwear choice provides a sense of warmth and security against the elements. 

One hiker humorously noted that wearing flannel pajamas not only kept him warm but also made him feel like he was camping in style! This highlights how personal preference plays a significant role, shaping our nighttime routines under the stars.

Moreover, it’s fascinating to hear how different environments influence these decisions. Campers tackling colder climates often lean towards pajamas for added insulation, while those in warmer areas may favor the naked approach to stay cool. 

Regardless of the choice, there’s a common thread of camaraderie among outdoor enthusiasts; whether clad in pjs or free as a bird, everyone shares the same goal: a good night’s sleep to recharge for tomorrow’s adventures. It’s this diversity of thought that makes camping culture so vibrant and inviting!

In the end, whether you’re a die-hard pajama fan or a proud nudist under the stars, it’s all about finding what works best for your body and your comfort level. With each experience, campers learn more about themselves and their preferences, crafting their own unique stories that contribute to the lore of outdoor living. So next time you roll out your sleeping bag, take a moment to appreciate the journey that led you to your sleepwear choice—whatever it may be!

Practical Tips for Campers

The weather plays a pivotal role in deciding between sleeping naked or in PJs. On chilly nights, layering up with thermal pajamas can help trap body heat and keep you snug inside your sleeping bag.

Look for moisture-wicking fabrics that will not only keep you warm but also reduce sweat as temperatures dip. On warmer nights, shedding those layers and opting for a more liberated approach could help prevent overheating and allow for better airflow within your sleeping bag. Always check the weather forecast before heading out to ensure your choice aligns with the conditions you’ll face.

Consider A Sleeping Pad and Bag Liner

Consider investing in a high-quality sleeping pad to enhance your comfort regardless of your choice. A good pad not only provides insulation from the cold ground but also adds an extra layer of cushioning that can make a world of difference after a long day of hiking.

Anything from Thermarest or Sea to Summit is a good choice. Choose whatever fits your budget since there isn’t a huge quality difference between each brand.

If you choose to sleep naked, a lightweight sleeping bag liner or blanket can offer an additional layer of warmth without the bulk of pajamas. And don’t forget about socks! Even if you opt for pajamas, a cozy pair of wool socks can keep your feet warm, which is essential for overall body temperature regulation.

Sleeping bag liners protect the interior of your sleeping bag from sweat and dirt, keeping it fresher for longer. Plus, they come in various materials, so you can choose one that suits the climate—silk liners are great for summer trips, while fleece liners provide extra warmth in cooler conditions.

My Sea to Summit Reactor Sleeping bag liner can be used all year long. It’s basically like a really warm Snuggie shirt blanket that you use inside your sleeping bag. The liner adds 25 degrees of warmth to my sleeping bag in the winter and I can use it without a sleeping bag in the summer. It allows me to use the same sleeping bag throughout 90 percent of the year.

You should also invest in a high-quality sleeping bag with moisture-wicking properties to help manage perspiration while you snooze under the stars.

There Are Times Where You Probably Should Strip Down

With everything in life there will always be exceptions to every rule. It’s rare, but there are times when wearing clothing in your sleeping bag will make you colder. Here are a few examples of situations where you might want to shed the extra layers of clothes.

  • Wearing Too Much Clothing: Sleeping bag use their fluffy insulation to trap body heat, but wearing lots of clothes can sometimes hamper that insulation layer. Wearing a light base layer to bed won’t cause major problems, but throwing on lots of layers and jamming your bag with gear can impact the temperature rating. This is only an issue if there’s so much stuff in the bag that it compresses the insulation layer in the bags baffles.
  • Cutting Off Circulation: Tight socks and long underwear might cut off circulation in your body. With less blood going to your arms/legs your body is going to feel colder.
  • Special Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure cause circulation problems. Extra layers are going to further exasperate the problem.
  • Moisture Buildup: Never get into a sleeping bag fresh out of the shower or with wet clothing. Moisture on your body soaks into your bag and reduces insulation.
  • Excess Sweating: You’re the only one that knows how much you sweat at night. Personally, I can’t sleep in a shirt because I sweat like crazy. I actually use a sleeping bag liner to protect my bag while increasing warmth.(my budget sleeping bag liner)

Staying Warm in a Sleeping Bag

Staying warm in a sleeping bag really isn’t all that difficult. Just remember that not all sleeping bags are going to have the same R-Value. You don’t want to use the same bag in the spring/fall as you do in the summer. (my favorite cold weather bag)

The Best Way to Sleep!
  • Wear a dry base layer to keep your sleeping bag to keep you warm and keep your bag clean. Choose a loose fitting outfit that will keep you warm without cutting off circulation.
  • Use a sleeping bag liner to both protect your bag and add another layer of insulation. Bag liners are easier to wash and will significantly increase the temperature of your bag. When the weather is warm you can even ditch your bag completely and use the bag liner instead. (here’s a budget bag liner that adds 12 degrees to your bag)
  • Buy a bag with enough room to move around. Bigger guys aren’t going to be comfortable in a small sleeping bag. Get a bag designed for larger guys if you’re 6ft or taller.
  • Never sleep in wet clothing. If your base layer is wet you’re better off ditching your clothes and putting on a dry outfit. Without access to dry clothes you’re better off sleeping in the nude.
  • Use your zipper to regulate the temperature in your bag. If you start to sweat unzip your bag and zip it back up as you get cold. Your body heat changes throughout the night so you might need to zip back up in a few hours.

Finding Your Perfect Sleep Style

In the great debate of naked versus pajamas in your sleeping bag, it’s clear there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. We’ve explored how body heat plays a big role in warmth and insulation. We’ve also weighed the pros and cons of freedom of movement versus added comfort. Plus, let’s not forget hygiene considerations and the fun insights from fellow outdoor enthusiasts! Each choice has its perks, so what works for one may not work for another.

So, don’t be afraid to experiment! Try both options on your next camping trip and see what helps you drift off into dreamland under the stars. Whether you prefer the freedom of going au naturel or the cozy embrace of pajamas, the most important thing is to enjoy those peaceful nights in your sleeping bag.

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