Cold

[OlTrailDog]

Re: the socks. I keep a dedicated pair of wool socks in my sleeping bag kit just for sleeping (Darn Tough merino 1/4s). Not a good idea to wear the day use socks.

[x7456]

The few tentatives I made, I had the impression that wearing my down pants and parka, I could not warm up my topquilt enough for my feet to stay warm

I had the same fear before I tried recently and my down jacket did not prevent my two top quilts from getting warm. That was at -12C (10.4F).

I probably didn't need to wear the down jacket at all actually. I was inexperienced and impatient. It took about 40 minutes for my body heat to really warm up the quilts. Before that, I was afraid I had not set up the underquilts properly but it was not so. I just had to be a little patient.

It also helped to cinch the topquilts at the shoulder. It made it easier to tuck the quilts around my body and seal any drafts.

[psyculman]

Yes, I do it all the time.

It's one of the best ways to reduce pack weight and gear volume in the winter. I use a 0°F (-17.7°C) HG Incubator UQ paired with an EE Enigma +20°F TQ for temperatures down to a few degrees below zero (coldest this winter has been 4°F) combined with an Eddie Bauer down parka (with hood!) and Montbell TEC down pants and am fine.

Been doing this for many years, even as a ground dweller, of course using a carefully chosen air mat (Xtherm) and 3/8" closed-cell foam pad instead of UQ.

Keeping pack weight low in the winter is a bit of an art and it requires a lot of experimentation to discover what works for you.

Same!
Saves in every way, pack volume reduction, weight reduction, good layering factor, no cold spots, or CBS. Works very well. And when getting up at night, total warmth is maintained.

[Carrico]

When temps drop below the 40s I wear my down jacket all the time, however I wear it backwards and keep the back open, lt puts more down over your chest area and helps keep you warmer, you'd be squishing it laying on in anyways and +1on the heavy wool socks for sleeping in.