Sleeping bag

[TimberWolf]

Or a blow up women.

Well, somebody was going to mention it. I got in first. Yeh.

And a puncture repair kit.

[chef]

I'll be the sensible one to answer then..

cheap (£10 - £15) and take a t-shirt and/or thin jumper.

reasons:

- because when you get back to your tent with boots caked in mud the last thing you will care about is how dirty your sleeping bag gets, it WILL get muddy
- if it's nicked you can goto the onsite Jo-Bananas and buy another one without caring
- you'll be too p!ssed too notice the difference at the end of the day, if you do, wear the t-shirt/jumper

[TimberWolf]

So have we have reached the point where it is better to buy a sleeping bag and throw it away rather than clean it?

[The Lone Gunman]

If the sleeping bag is not warm enough and you need to wear clothes inside it then make sure you put on clean and dry clothes when getting in (assuming the bag is dry). Do not get in wearing the clothes you have on.
During the night your body temperature drops. This will cause the accumulated moisture in the old clothes to condense, which in turn conducts heat away from your body thus making you cold and causing you to wake up.
Wearing clean dry clothes should mean a good nights sleep. Nobody is going to notice you spending the day in the clothes you slept in.
Try and dry out the bag every day if possible.

[Cyberman]

Another reason to get a blow-up mattress is that you will float if it gets really wet !!

[TimberWolf]

Another reason to get a blow-up mattress is that you will float if it gets really wet !!

mistress

[expat]

If the sleeping bag is not warm enough and you need to wear clothes inside it then make sure you put on clean and dry clothes when getting in (assuming the bag is dry). Do not get in wearing the clothes you have on.
During the night your body temperature drops. This will cause the accumulated moisture in the old clothes to condense, which in turn conducts heat away from your body thus making you cold and causing you to wake up.
Wearing clean dry clothes should mean a good nights sleep. Nobody is going to notice you spending the day in the clothes you slept in.
Try and dry out the bag every day if possible.

Very sound advice, a layer or two of clothing is part of the sleeping gear. If you might get wet, wool socks will keep warm even when wet. I'd add that you don't need a really warm bag, you're not sleeping in winter, high up, etc. If you don't often sleep in a bag, don't be tempted to go for a smart mummy bag, you don't need it and you won't be comfortable. And it's the end of the family camping season, you should be able to get stuff half-price.

[Moscow Mule]

So have we have reached the point where it is better to buy a sleeping bag and throw it away rather than clean it?

When they are £4, yes I'd say it is cheaper to buy a new one. Or have a fresh one for every night...

[Clippy]

Thanks all - even the 'entertaining' suggestions.

Decided to go down the cheapo route and popped into town and my local Wilkinson store.

Saw a Gelert Lynx 300 on the shelf but no price so asked the assistant who couldn't find a barcode or shelf price so stuck it through under a generic sleeping bag barcode for £10.

Score.

[RichardCranium]

Or a blow up women.

Well, somebody was going to mention it. I got in first. Yeh.

That's OK. There's always someone happy to volunteer for sloppy seconds.