The first two nights were 35-40 degrees F. The third was 10 degrees. Definately the thermals made the difference. We had gone camping before on 40 degree nights and were miserably cold. The only change were the thermals and the closed cell pads. The thermals were Wickers brand. My other layers were of old winter clothes, so I think the breathability suffered, so on a couple hikes I got quite sweaty. The coat I also got had terrible ventilation, but was also terribly warm. I think though if it had been colder I would have had some trouble considering how much I was sweating on some of the hikes. The thermals did a very good job getting the moisture away from my skin though, and I spent the coldest morning in just the thermals while my pants were thawing <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

About the wool gloves and boiling... I have read here that some people like to boil the wool gloves and then wear them as they cool. As I understand it, it is to give them a closer fit and also to tighten up the stitch, to increase wind and water resistance. I had ordered some of the Wickers brand liners and they worked very well keeping my hands dry, with wool fingerless mittens.

I little piece of info that I discovered by accident...I was working on my mother's brakes over Thankgiving, which was a 20 degree day, and I was using the nitrile mechanics rubber gloves. Surprisingly my hands were very warm for only having that thin rubber glove on. I thought on my camping trip I would try the liners, with the nitrile gloves over them, then the mitts over those. I went so far as to submerge my hand up to the wrist in the lake we got our water from. Even while swirling my hand around for approx. 5 minutes, I never felt any cold on my hands or fingers. It worked out very well considering we spent 2 of the days soaking wet. Also, sweat or moisture was not a problem with the liners inside the rubber gloves. 3.99 for 500 gloves is a good deal, considering I spent hours with dripping wet gloves without consequence. It would be nothing to bring 3-4 extra pair in case of tears...turned out to be a happy accident <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />