November 15, 2021
Those of us who go winter camping are the real heroes. The ones who are willing to brave the unforgiving winter to see some of the most beautiful sites known to humankind. Those who are willing to trudge through the frozen tundra to get a glimpse of what the great outdoors have to offer. The ones who will risk a cold to get that crisp morning air.
Also, they probably have an insulated tent and footprint, so it’s actually pretty comfortable.
Don’t know what those are? No sweat! Not a lot of people do. That’s why this blog is great for beginners, or those who are just invested in the sacred art of sleeping outside when it’s really cold. You’re going to get it all in this article - the correct temperature to camp in, what camping equipment and clothes you’ll need (from quilt blankets to buffs), and, most importantly, how to insulate your tent (and the camping gear you’ll need to get by).
If you don’t want winter’s icy mitts to tear you a new one, but still want to camp, read on. By the time you come out of this blog, you’re going to be the Ruler of Winter Camping, and also possibly of the entire season of winter itself.
Let’s start with some science. Everybody loves science.
Yep, BUT - It’s important (dare I say, essential) to know your limits. Winter camping is considered to be anything below 30-40 degrees F (-1 to 4 C). Camping in any cold climate lower than this requires camping gear that is built for the season. If you don’t have the right winter camping gear, you run the risk of getting hypothermia, or worse - frostbite. I assume you know what that is, but if you don’t, I don’t recommend looking it up. It’s gross.
If you’ve never camped before, I recommend starting out with warmer temperatures first. Think of it like a video game: spring and summer camping is like level 1, fall is level 2, and winter is level 3!
If you have some experience with cold weather camping, then you might already have some of the camping gear you need (at least an insulated tent, I would hope). With the right winter camping gear, you can camp in sub zero temperatures, and still be fine!
Before we get into the winter camping gear you will need, let’s get into some of the basic tips that are a must know for the season:
The key to not getting hypothermia and/or dying is wearing the right clothes for every situation - this means not only packing winter hiking gear and clothes, but winter PJs, waterproof socks, all of it!
Here’s a comprehensive list of the clothing you need:
There isn’t anything on this list that is optional, in my opinion. Our bodies lose heat fast, even if you have the best insulated tent ever built.
Speaking of which, it’s time to get to the best part of this article that you’ve all been waiting for - what is the best winter camping gear to bring with you out into the open snow? Moreover, how do you set it all up?
I’ve got you covered, my sweet winter child. Let’s get into it:
Pick an area that doesn’t have too much tree cover (you don’t want snow falling off the tree and hitting you or your tent). After that, you’re going to want to set up:
Spread the footprint out on the area you’d like to place your large tent, and voila! You’re ready for the next step:
What is the best tent for winter camping, you ask? You can’t just use any old tent: You need...
While these tents already come insulated, it’s important to note that you’ll need more than just the tent, as shown in the next step:
Here’s a basic rundown of supplies you’ll need to insulate the inner part of your tent. From blankets to pillows and everything in between, here’s what you’ll need:
Now that you have all your winter camping gear together, make sure you place them efficiently in your tent. You’ll want to save space, keep all of your camping gear dry, and make sure you stay warm.
Now you know how to insulate your tent for winter camping! But wait, we’re not done yet:
Now that we’ve gone through insulation gear, here are some helpful tips and hacks to help you even further on your journey into the white abyss:
That’s about all the tips I can give you - Beyond that, remember to have a good time, and I hope that this helps!
You can also learn more about essential winter camping gear here!
The joy of winter camping starts with an insulated tent - so I’m glad I can show you how to insulate it properly! Once you know how to stay warm, you can enjoy winter for what it truly is - a beautiful, yet spiteful mistress that, if you’re prepared, can give you some of the greatest camping experiences of your life.
If you’re looking for other camping gear, other blogs, or other tips, check out our website - it’s got all that and more!
Stay toasty out there, folks.
Contributing Writer: Aurora Detor
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