This weekend I showed Lucky Sheep Sleeping Bags at the Outdoor Gear Builders of Western North Carolina’s annual Get in Gear Fest. This was a collaboration of diverse outdoor gear builders showing their wares. It was 38 Degrees and sometimes drizzly and that was actually perfect for our gear because it shows how important it is to have good gear. And my wool sleeping bags are particularly hydrophilic and so it made Lucky Sheep look even more attractive. Most people would consider this too cold for a successful festival and indeed, it was much less attended than last year which had warmer sunnier weather. However it points out the cold hard truth that outdoor adventure means putting oneself against the elements. And to me it seemed perfect in an odd way.
I have spent my life researching and inventing around minimalism and body friendly design and wellness and I got to show off some of my favorite creations. There were a lot of conversations around sleeping bag choices 1) Down 2) Synthetic 3) Wool. Instead of just the two factors of weight and temperature rating–I point out that SLEEP QUALITY is left out of the conversation and that is my goal for Lucky Sheep to set a new standard for sleeping bags. Many people don’t go camping because they see it as uncomfortable and I believe that is in a big way due to synthetic materials which hamper sleep quality by messing with heart rate, brain waves, body temp regulation and rob electrons from the cells and cause the feeling of claminess (condensation).
1) Prepare yourself like I do and become cold adapted by living close to the cold and doing Cold Water Immersions. In other words, don’t overheat your living space. The body adapts and accommodates us far more than we realize. Use the outdoor experience to further your cold adapting abilities by wearing the LEAST amount of clothing that you need. This means dressing in layers and wearing a daypack with extra room. Don’t be afraid to stop and add or subtract clothing items when needed. The Lucky Sheep® Chi Pack is a perfect choice for this.
2) Following a ketogenic diet meaning I get most of my calories from fat instead of carbohydrates. Start the day off with high fat, moderate protein meal and use snacks of pemmican and butter balls. See my article Heat Generating Foods that Make You Glow Inside.
3) Not drinking alcohol because it is ruins step two.
4) Wearing wool clothing as inside layer and lightweight tight-weave cotton on outside layer (as wind barrier).
5) Don’t sit down but stand instead which is Activity Thermogenesis and generates some body heat.
6) Drinking hot beverages with melted butter and coconut oil.
7) Avoid a hot shower in morning because that would open skin pores and make you cold later and don’t take a cold shower because it would lower your body temp. with no way to raise it back up. Rather, use the cold air all day long exposure as cold therapy.
8) Cover the head where a lot of of heat escapes from the body and it is important to keep the brain warm.
9) Rain and Wind Protective Clothing Natural Options
As I was becoming aware of the physics of all this and testing alternatives, one of the last plastic items in my camping gear was a Gore Tex parka and I started noticing how I would overheat easily in certain conditions. I would be unbearably hot and stuffy with it on and yet with it off I would get wet and be too cold. This overheating would cause sweating and ultimately I would often be too hot at times and later would chill because of the sweat. This same phenomenon happens when sleeping zipped up in a plastic tent and with synthetic fabric sleeping bags. I started using an oversized tight weave cotton shirt as a wind breaker and in most conditions I was far more comfortable. For actual rain protection I used a plastic poncho which allows more air circulation and would come off when the rain let up but keep the cotton wind breaker on.
10) For my tent I started using an amazing tarp system that weighs two pounds, fits two people and gear, and is similar to using an umbrella. I was completely protected by most rains and yet had ample ventilation. This gear options completely changed my game. The reason was because my skin could breath, my body could regulate temperature, and I could be breathing the fresh air which is why I came out there in the first place. Click here for a short demo of the Ray Way Tarp System.
The book behind these articles
A Rewilder’s Guide to Outdoor Adventure
The complete Lucky Sheep approach to time outdoors — skills, gear, food and natural sleep, from the founder. Everything the field guide covers, in one book you can take with you.
Get the book →Layers that work wet
Wool next to skin, waxed canvas as the shell: a layering system that manages sweat and weather without membranes or coatings. The rain jacket is a breathable alternative to Gore-Tex-style shells; the merino bandana is the piece you’ll wear every day.
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Lightweight Waxed Canvas Rain Jacket
A rain shell that breathes
2 lb / 0.9 kg10 oz organic canvasPFAS-free wax finish
$525.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Wool Felt Adventure Vest
$175.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
