NOW is the time to test your gear!

[JackOfAllTrades]

It was 17 degrees out this morning. Wind chill is well below zero.  I slept outside last night. (Wife thinks I'm nutz.)  I was toasty warm all night. Made it to work on time this morning after I broke down the tent.  I sleep cold, with my hips aching from cold, so I tried a different insulator under my REI Stratus inflatable. My yard has been quite frozen for days so this was a great test.
 
The tent I'm using now, A Mountain Smith Razor, is not great in 40mph gusts.  I'm still looking for what I want....
 
Now is the time to test what you've bought that should keep you warm on a high hunt if a storm hits. If'n you get cold or wet, you just go in the house and snuggle with the wife. You likely won't have that option on a back country hunt. -Well, your huntin buddy might not be too keen on the snuggle part.
 
-Steve

[Easy-E]

Brilliant! Thanks for posting this.

[Oldguy]

I ran into your son this morning and he said that when got up this morning, there was an extension cord running from the house to the backyard. Also someone had taken his electric blanket off his bed during the night.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I ran into your son this morning and he said that when got up this morning, there was an extension cord running from the house to the backyard. Also someone had taken his electric blanket off his bed during the night.

I'm gonna call Bull Snot on that!  Neither of the boys slept at home last night! Cody at his girl's place with the power out. Shane at Johns so they could get up at 4:am and get their decoys set out before sun-up.  No electric blanket involved. (block heater plugged in on the Power Stroke though)  North Face SnowShoe bag with the combination of insulators under me.
 
-Steve

[pianoman9701]

I ran into your son this morning and he said that when got up this morning, there was an extension cord running from the house to the backyard. Also someone had taken his electric blanket off his bed during the night.

 

[vandeman17]

I ran into your son this morning and he said that when got up this morning, there was an extension cord running from the house to the backyard. Also someone had taken his electric blanket off his bed during the night.

And the truth shall set you free.... 

I do like your idea to test stuff out when it isn't a MUST USE situation. Not quite to this extent but when I repair a set of waders I always fill up the bath tub and sit in it to give them a good test before I go out into the marsh. Rather learn they still leak at home then out in the cold! 

[Oldguy]

I thought I had a good joke going and then Shane messes me up by not being home! I have to admire him in regard to hunting this morning; it sounds like a wind tunnel outside the window.

[timberghost72]

Brrrrrrr. I prefer to set up my gear and have my wife test and report  I am thoughtful though and bring her some hot chocolate 

This is a good idea and I should probably do it. I haven't tested my gear under 35* so now with the dry cold air, is a great time to do it.

[Houndhunter]

17 degrees? With the wind chill out here the low is -50!!! Im not testing out any gear tonight, staying inside with a few hounds on the bed

[Lingcod]

My question is what did you do for the wife to make you sleep in the yard..

[netcoyote]

17 degrees? With the wind chill out here the low is -50!!! Im not testing out any gear tonight, staying inside with a few hounds on the bed

Sounds like a Three Dog Night there...

[Wea300mag]

What are you using for a bag?

This is the mattress I have been using in the cold after a recommendation by Actionshooter. It works very good in the cold.

http://www.amazon.com/Exped-DownMat-Pump-Sleeping-Pad/dp/B0038WRMVW

[JackOfAllTrades]

What are you using for a bag?

This is the mattress I have been using in the cold after a recommendation by Actionshooter. It works very good in the cold.

http://www.amazon.com/Exped-DownMat-Pump-Sleeping-Pad/dp/B0038WRMVW

If I use the NorthFace Snowshoe with the REI Stratos inflatable mat, (R3.8 and weighs less than a pound.) in temps around zero degrees, I get cold hips. Everything else is just fine. I'm certainly warm, but I get sore hips. (I literally have no fat on my hips and sleep on my side) I don't blame the sleeping bag at all. I believe that the issue is that I need to insulate from the ground better when the ground is frozen.  Like you point out a better sleeping pad...  I never had this issue with any bag if I used my hammock.  I tested a couple of combinations that only add a few ounces to my pack. A section of closed cell foam under my mid section takes care of the cold hips.  I also tested an older synthetic bag with a super light liner bag with that extra foam to success in the cold. -That tells me I can ditch the Snowshoe that zips on the wrong side and is too long for me anyway.
 
-Steve

[JackOfAllTrades]

My question is what did you do for the wife to make you sleep in the yard..

She didn't make me do nuthin!
29' camp trailer is out back under the carport with full propane tanks and power/furnace.. I still chose the tent and sleepin on the ground. 
 
-Steve

[Jonathan_S]

I like to do gear tests when coyote hunting, it's a good time to test possibilities without ruining an important hunt.