A sleeping bag is kept dry before the night
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Rest does not begin when the sleeping bag is rolled out. In cold and wet, its insulation value depends on staying dry. Keep the moisture out during the day and the night becomes simpler.
A dry bag is a warm bag
The sleeping bag is protected from rain, snow and wet kit. If it gets wet, the insulation drops quickly and restorative rest suffers. The bag is dried whenever there is a chance. The same applies to a thermal poncho liner, which does not breathe well and easily collects moisture.
Wet clothing stays outside
An outer layer does not go into the sleeping bag to dry. Damp clothing brings water in and takes the heat with it. In the cold, a dry base layer and a hat can stay on, but the wet shell is kept separate. The breathing opening is drawn in enough to hold heat but not so much that the moisture from your breath runs into the bag.
Cold rising from the ground is cut off
A sleeping mat or other insulating layer belongs between the sleeper and the ground. A sleeping bag, a poncho liner and a bivvy bag do not on their own remove the cold of the ground. A mat saves heat and keeps moisture lower down, which keeps the sleeping spot more controlled.
Kit is dried as soon as possible
Dry clothes can be packed into the sleeping bag's stuff sack and used as a pillow. That also keeps the spare clothing protected. After the night, the sleeping bag, poncho liner and bivvy bag are aired and dried if the weather allows.
The information here has been gathered and summarised in our own words from the public guide Selviytymisen käsikirja (Survival Handbook, 2024), pp. 62, 63 and 64.
Sources and editorial independence
This text is based on publicly available Finnish Defence Forces guides. Potero Standard is not a partner of the Finnish Defence Forces. The Finnish Defence Forces have not produced, reviewed or approved this article.
