How To Stay Warm In Cold Weather Camping

Then I quickly got in the tent, took off the boots, and climbed into my mummy bag and zipped up. Within minutes I was all nice and toasty and easily fell asleep. No one likes to wake up from a night of camping and climb into freezing cold clothes. To prevent that chilling feeling, stuff the clothes you plan to wear the next morning deep inside of your sleeping bag.

Another example – your warm butt sits on a cold rock – does your butt get cold or does your butt warm up the cold rock? Please say your butt gets cold because if it doesn’t you are either delusional or a scientific anomaly. Liners can add as little as 5 degrees F of warmth with a microfiber liner to 17 degrees F with a flannel or merino wool liner. With the same mechanism of action as Reflectix, but more compact and easier to use, emergency blankets have become a popular tent floor insulation material for many campers.

Camping is an excellent way to enjoy nature and have an adrenaline-pumping experience. Going out camping with your family and friends makes you have an unforgettable journey that brings you all together and gives you a taste of the wildlife. If you are planning to go camping in the winters and are afraid of feeling cold throughout your adventure, this article is for you! In this article, we discuss some of the tips you can use to make sure you stay warm while your winter camping adventure. Cold weather can drain battery power fast, or even worse, permanently damage electronics.

It can even save you a lot on fees as the demand at parks dies down. You can use it to wipe your feet before you enter the tent. This will keep mud, snow and water outside the tent. When finding a spot to set up your tent, you will want to scrape away any snow beneath your planned pitching spot and then flatten out the ground there. Stick the bottle at the bottom of the bag to keep your toes warm, or place it near your belly to heat your core. Before heading to bed, get nice and warm by the campfire or go for a walk — do anything you can think of to get warm.

Sleeping Mat

Besides, frostbitten fingers and toes are also a common phenomenon with winter campers. To learn more about insulating your windows in winter and summer check out our article called RV Window Insulation Tips for Summer and Winter. You can also use bubble wrap to insulate your windows.

Constantly giving your body fuel to function is key to staying warm. The more you eat, the warmer your internal temperature will be, and the more comfortable you will stay. Likewise, drinking enough water and avoiding dehydration is very important. When wearing all those layers, you may end up sweating, even if it is freezing outside! You will want to bring an extra base layer of clothing that you can change into if ever you begin to get soaked in sweat.

Always Pack A Hot Water Bottle

Doing a few sit-ups can help you greatly if you want to feel warm right before you go to sleep. Frostbite commonly affects the fingers, toes, ears, nose, chin, and cheeks. Exposed skin in extreme wind or cold is most susceptible to frostbite, although unexposed skin may also be susceptible. Consider bringing grooved, wind-resistant stakes if gusts are a real concern.

Ensure each clothing layer is a combination of waterproof, windproof, and as warm as needed. Much like your sleeping bag – a smaller space means less air you have to heat up. Keep the tent minimal in size, and fill it up with people and gear. If you’re traveling in a group, consider sharing tents to reduce gear and benefit from each other’s warmth at night.

Insulation of an air mattress is easy if you know are familiar with the art of layering. In winter, we prefer to wear clothes layered on each other. The thin air gap between each layer acts as an insulator. Cold-weather trips are best approached with a partner or group. While solo trips are great for experienced cold-weather backpackers, having a partner adds a layer of comfort and safety. Find a great person or group willing to brave the cold on your next backcountry adventure.

Keep Your Head And Feet Covered And Dry

Therefore, I recommend you bring a thermal blanket when winter camping to have warm air in your insulated tent. My final essential for staying warm in bed, is a hot water bottle and I never go camping without taking one. When it comes to sleeping bags, for years I was freezing at night when camping even with loads of extra layers and a duvet on top. But then I discovered the Robens Crevasse II sleeping bag.

Getting wet in arctic conditions is very dangerous, and letting water freeze inside your clothing is one of the best ways to get hypothermia. Make sure to take the time to dry off as best you can, and don’t let sweat linger inside your clothing, even if it feels comfortable at the time. Wearing the right clothing and have the right sleeping bag are key to enjoy cold weather camping. Besides more fun and being able to look after each other on a cold-weather camping trip, sleeping together will save you from carrying some extra weight for an extra tent. Lay close to each other, so one side doesn’t catch any cold air. If you think the best way to stay warm in your tent is by wearing several layers of clothes and simply staying inside, then you are wrong.

Get Rid Of The Morning Frost From The Tent

So if you don’t have the right gears to protect you against the cold, especially during the late-night and early morning, it is not advisable to camp below that temperature. You can do this by keeping the temperature inside the campervan warm, or placing a wool blanket around the battery when you leave the van. Top if all off with a windproof or waterproof jacket to protect against the elements, and you’ll stay cozy warm in most situations. The outer layer is the most important in stormy and rainy weather.

Both gas stoves and canister stoves are not 100% reliable when going for winter camping, which is why it is always best to pack more than one stove. This little camp stove is one of our favorites and is super small and durable. Winter camping calls for more energy and your body will therefore need more calories than it does during regular camping. Before you go out for adventure, you should determine what kind of sleeper you are. If you are a warm sleeper, you might need to take some extra layers along with you. Wearing plenty of layers will keep you warm throughout the night and will give you a sound sleep.

There is nothing better than to be one with nature. However, some like to go out in the cooler weather to see the beautiful landscaping blanketed with snow. By doing this, you will endure completely different elements than that of the summer months. It will be cool or cold and the snow is more of a “dry” wet, meaning that you can brush it off before it soaks through your clothing.

Do Not Sit On The Ground

Also, make sure your heater is rated safe for indoor use, and if using a gas heater, ensure your tent has sufficient ventilation to avoid a buildup of carbon monoxide. If you’re wondering how to keep a tent warm in the winter there’s a handful of key considerations. The ultimate, luxury solution is a wood burning stove. For inspiration, check out our list of the best 4-season tents with a stove jack.

With the extra skills needed to tread this perilous trail, it needs even more than just a pair of boots and a commemorative photo to go backpacking with your friends. Despite that, expertise is just a title that you could get with sufficient caution brought by exposure, in addition to various tips. Considering that you have already reached this area of the blog? You will reach the gold mine faster than snow melts.

Tip 1: Dress In Layers To Stay Warm

Unfortunately, this material significantly reduces the amount of light that can get into your RV through the windows. So, unless you are a vampire you might want to go with a different option. Join Outside+ to get Backpacker magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more.

But it’s great to sip on cocoa or apple cider by the campfire. It also helps prevent you from becoming cold in the evening and relying on your sleeping bag to warm you up. An overly large tent in winter can make for chilly sleeping. At the same time, winter campers generally want to scale up in the tent department so there’s enough interior space to accommodate more and bulkier gear. Besides protecting clothing and equipment from the elements, bringing gear inside boosts insulation inside the tent.