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Winter Camping Tips for Staying Warm
You’re either a person that loves camping, or you’re not. A good way to tell you’re an avid outdoors fanatic is whether you’re up for a camping trip in the dead of winter. This is a surefire sign that you’re a die-hard fan.
There’s no other way to put it, winter camping is cold. It comes with the territory, but it doesn’t have to be unpleasant and miserable.
Whether you’re new to camping, or a seasoned pro, here are a few tips to help you keep toasty while enjoying the great outdoors this winter.
1. Winter Camping Is All About Layers
You probably wear a few layers around the house during winter, so it’s important to do the same when camping. In fact, it’s even more important because you don’t have the same type of insulation around you.
In short, you need to dress to impress when you’re camping in the cold. This includes a base layer, mid-layer, and a thick, winter-friendly puffer or shell jacket over the top.
Opt for moisture-wicking base layer materials, such as wool, bamboo, polyester, or nylon. Don’t forget to protect your head with a hat, gloves, and hiking boots suited to the snow.
2. Always Change Out of Sweaty Clothes
It’s tempting to avoid changing out of your clothes at the end of the day, especially if you’ve tackled a few hiking trails. But sweat is the enemy when you’re out in the cold.
When you’re getting ready to settle for the evening, make sure to change out of sweaty base layer clothing and get into something dry and warm.
The same type of layering applies when you hit the hay- a base layer, mid layer, and puffer jacket over the top. Take it from the experts at Gear Assistant, this is the best way to get a solid night’s sleep.
3. Pack a Double-Insulated Sleeping Bag
If you’re new to winter camping, it’s worth investing in a double-pad sleeping bag, as well as a camping mattress. Essentially, your mattress keeps you off the ground and adds a layer between you and the cold ground.
A two-pad sleeping bag offers thermal resistance (look for a high R-value), as well as a reflective fabric that deflects the cold. These two-pad combination sleeping bags are the only winter-grade option to go for!
4. Keep Your Tent Ventilated
We get it, it sounds counter-productive to let air into your tent when you’re camping in the snow. But trust us, it’s super important for a warm night’s sleep.
This is because your warm breath releases CO2 vapor into your tent. This vapor eventually becomes water droplets that accumulate on the inside of the tent, which will then freeze. The result is ice on the inside of your tent, i.e. you’ll be sleeping inside an igloo!
Open up one or two vents to allow for good airflow and avoid freezing overnight.
Are You an Avid Sports and Outdoors Fan?
Winter camping has the potential to be a beautiful, rewarding, and fun experience — but only if you’re equipped with the right kit and know-how. We hope this blog helps you to prepare! If you’re a big fan of sports and the great outdoors, don’t miss the rest of this site for your fix of sports news, updates, and more.
Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].
