Physics for the camper: heat transfer in sleeping mats and sleeping bags

Comfort whilst camping overnight during outdoor pursuits is based on pain free and warm sleeping arrangements and is highly dependent on the performance of the sleeping bag and sleeping mat. In adventurous and challenging situations, performance can contribute to safety and expedition success. From the manufacturer's point of view, thermal performance of sleeping bags has now been quantified and regulated, though these issues are still in progress for sleeping mats. Using Newton's Law of cooling combined with standard physics of thermal conduction, convection and radiation, the sleeping bag and sleeping mat combination is investigated. Physical comfort provided by various bag and mat style combinations are included to provide a review of the overall performance and demonstrate how some standard classical physics can enhance the outdoor camping experience.