Winter camping is less popular than summer trips, but this type of camping is still common. Whether it’s traveling, ice fishing, winter sports, or seeking new experiences, winter camping is an attractive option to break out of routine and make great memories while having fun with your friends and enjoying the unique charm of the winter season.
Planning a trip in the winter means more preparation, as it is important to gather useful information, get the necessary gear, and ensure that your shelter is secure enough to stay comfortable in the cold weather. The preparation process can take quite some time, as there are many factors that need to be taken into account, for example, finding a suitable tent, buying warm clothes in specialized sports stores, and collecting helpful items such as tent wood-burning stoves.
At the same time, one of the most common concerns about winter camping is the cold temperature. Quite a lot of people who would like to try winter camping may often refuse this idea precisely because of fears of staying overnight in a tent in frosty weather.
However, there are many ways to stay warm and healthy during winter camping so you can enjoy your trip without getting sick. Let’s look at some of the useful tips that will help you comfortably endure the cold winter temperatures.
Dress in layers
The first and perhaps most important tip is to dress in layers. Properly selected clothes for a winter hike will allow you to feel comfortable even when the weather conditions worsen and the temperature drops at night.
The main task here is to use two layers of clothing. The outer layer of clothing should protect you from water and moisture. The inner layer of clothing should retain body heat.
For the first layer, use jackets and pants, which you can find in sports stores. Snowboarding or skiing clothing is best suited for this, providing excellent water resistance.
For the second layer of clothing, it is recommended to avoid wardrobe items made from cotton or other natural fabrics, as such materials are “breathable” and will cause you to lose heat faster. It is best to wear clothes made from synthetic materials.
In addition, it is recommended to ensure the protection of the following areas of the body: arms, legs, neck, and head. Make sure that these parts of your body are well protected since they lose heat faster than others.
Bring portable clothing dryers
A portable dryer is an extremely useful and valuable item on a winter camping trip.
One of the common reasons why you might start to get cold faster is that your clothes may get wet both because of water and moisture, as well as because of sweat since you usually move a lot and constantly do some kind of work while camping.
It is important to always have dry clothes with you and another pair of shoes to change if you get sweaty or wet. This is especially true for the foot. Always wear a dry pair of shoes and socks, as ignoring this may result in you getting sick, which may significantly ruin your experience.
Thus, portable dryers allow you to quickly dry wet clothes, thereby avoiding the risks of illness or hypothermia.
Use two sleeping pads
The purpose of the sleeping pad is to insulate you from cold earth and snow.
Usually, one pad made of high-quality materials with good insulation value is enough. However, using an additional pad allows you to increase the R-value of insulation and heat retention.
With this approach, you can warm up faster before going to bed due to better insulation and not freezing during the night, thereby making your sleep in a tent more comfortable and safe.
Drink and eat a lot
On any trip, it is essential to stay hydrated. In the case of winter camping, you need to drink warm drinks often in order to feel comfortable and not freeze. Also, snacks and meals should not be ignored since the human body spends a lot of energy generating heat. Thus, food and drinks provide your body with the necessary energy to maintain the temperature.
Try to drink less alcohol. Although there is a belief that alcohol helps you stay warm, it will actually make you lose heat faster.
Sleep with a warmer or hot water bottle
To stay warm at night, it is best to place a heating pad or a hot water bottle in your sleeping bag, which can act as a heater in this case.
This approach allows you to warm up faster before going to bed and also helps you feel comfortable and cozy. You can hold a heater or water bottle near areas of your body that feel cold, such as your arms or legs.
As a bonus, you can place your phone or other gadgets near a heating pad or hot water bottle to protect them from the cold since low temperatures damage batteries.
Vent your tent
During the day, when you are not in the tent or an hour or two before you go to bed, vent your tent. The circulation of fresh air makes staying and sleeping in a tent more comfortable. In addition, this is an important task since ventilation helps your shelter warm up faster.
If you ventilate the tent before using the stove, the efficiency of the process will noticeably increase. Therefore, make sure that you have enough fresh air inside the tent.
