Top Tips for Staying Warm While Winter Camping

Beat the cold with these 5 essential tips for winter camping. Learn how to layer, insulate and choose the right gear to stay warm all night.

Camping in winter is a magical and rewarding experience, and with the sun approaching the peak of its 11-year solar cycle the opportunity to experience the spectacular Northern lights is high. Go grab your camping kit now and run it past our 5 easy to remember winter camping tips before heading out to find some, hopefully not-so-dark skies.

Camping in winter, how to stay warm

The key to maximising your enjoyment is staying warm through the night. Our 5 factor acronym S.L.E.E.P will act as your trusty guide on this journey. Stay true to it and you'll find that staying cosy and enjoying the beauty of the winter outdoors is not only possible but also quite enjoyable.

Let's explore S.L.E.E.P and discover how it can make your winter camping experience a delightful one.

Surface - what are you going to sleep on?

• Heat loss through the ground can be 3 times greater than heat lost to the air.
• A poor sleeping mat can make an expensive sleeping bag less effective.
• A good sleeping mat:
  • Keeps you comfortable from lumps and bumps.
  • Acts as a crucial barrier against heat loss.
• In cold conditions, pairing a self-inflating mat with a closed cell mat prevents cold spots.

It's easy to underestimate the heat loss through the ground. Surprisingly, in some tests, researchers discovered that heat loss to the ground can be three times greater than to the air. A subpar sleeping mat can render an expensive sleeping bag almost useless, while a good one can enhance your bag's warmth.

Sleeping mats have an R-Value which indicates how well it insulates you from the cold ground. A sleeping mat suitable for winter will have a R-value of 4 or above - our Radiant sleeping mat has an R-value of 7.2 making it the warmest sleeping mat in the range for winter camping. But all is not lost if yours falls below this. A closed cell camping mat is an excellent insulator and can be added very cheaply as an extra layer under your main mat.

The best winter sleeping mat not only shields you from rough terrain but also prevents heat from escaping. When you lie on any insulation your sleeping bag gets compressed, so the sleeping mat acts as your defence against heat seeping into the ground. In colder conditions, this ground heat loss becomes even more significant.

An airbed may be extremely comfortable, but the large uninsulated air chambers will increase the heat loss from beneath.

While airbeds may seem comfy, their uninsulated air chambers escalate heat loss underneath. On the other hand, a closed-cell mat is an excellent insulator that's hard to compress. Combining a self-inflating mat with a closed-cell one can prevent cold spots in freezing conditions, all while maintaining comfort.

Staying warm while camping in winter can help you get the most out of your adventures. If you're looking for more insights, check out our guide on How to choose the best sleeping bag for your next camping adventure. Our ultimate guide covers which sleeping bag insulation is right for you (down or synthetic), what sleeping bag temperature ratings mean, and how to choose the best bag possible.

Layers - What are you going to wear inside your sleeping bag?

• Layering clothing is crucial to reduce heat loss.
• Clothing and sleeping bag liners help regulate body temperature.
• Don't sleep in the same damp clothes you wore during the day.
• Keeping dry gloves, socks, and thermals for sleeping boosts comfort.
• Use a down jacket or fleece as a mini blanket inside your sleeping bag.
• Hood and neck baffles prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering.

Layering clothing is second nature to outdoor enthusiasts. It allows you to manage your body temperature across a broader range.

Avoid sleeping in the same clothes you wore during the day, as they might be damp, causing you to cool faster. Damp clothing can increase heat loss by up to 25 times compared to dry garments. Keep a set of dry gloves, socks, and thermals for sleeping to boost your comfort. Wearing thermals also eases those late-night trips out of the tent.

Heat loss from damp clothing can be up to 25 times faster than dry.

Don't forget to utilise any additional insulation items you have on your trip, like a down jacket or fleece, as a mini blanket inside your sleeping bag. Using the hood and neck baffles effectively seals your bag, preventing warm air from escaping and cold air from creeping in. Also consider using a sleeping bag liner.

Knowing more about 5 tips for staying warm while camping in winter allows you to make informed decisions when heading outdoors. Looking for real-world feedback? Check out our review PipeDream 400 is your ultralight sleeping bag for multi-day camping adventures. Discover Pat Kinsella's rave review on the Alpkit Pipedream 400 sleeping bag. Designed for year-round adventurers, it promises unbeatable warmth, ultra-lightweight, and impeccable design.

Eat & Drink - Take on enough fuel to keep you warm all night

• Quick-burning kindling (sugary foods) provides a rapid energy boost.
• Complex carbohydrates (pasta, rice, dried fruit) release energy more slowly.
• Proteins (meats, fish, cheese, nuts) and fats (margarine) act as substantial fuel.
• Stay hydrated; dehydration can lead to a cold night's sleep.
• Alcohol increases heat loss and should be avoided before bedtime.

Proper nutrition and hydration are essential components of a successful camping experience, especially in cold conditions. Adequately fueling your body and maintaining hydration helps in maintaining your internal temperature, ensuring you stay warm and comfortable throughout the night.

Think of food as fuel for a fire. Quick-burning kindling, like sugary snacks and carbonated drinks, provides an initial burst of energy but fizzles quickly. Complex carbohydrates (pasta, rice, dried fruit) serve as slower-burning fuel, much like sturdy logs sustaining a fire. Proteins (meats, fish, cheese, nuts) and fats (margarine) act as substantial logs.

Proper hydration is vital to convert food into energy, especially in cold weather when your thirst mechanism may be dulled. Exhaling in cold air expels a significant amount of water, compounding dehydration. Remember, waking up cold in the middle of the night often results from inadequate fuel or dehydration, so stay nourished and hydrated.

Understanding the best kit to keep you warm is just part of our winter adventure. If you're looking for deeper knowledge, check out our guide on 10 great recipies for camping in winter. Our Winter Chef keeps the chill out with meals hot off the camp stove, stay fueled and savour comfort in every bite, letting your adventures simmer a little longer.

Timing Your Fuel Intake

When you eat is just as important as what you eat. Have a substantial meal 1-2 hours before bed to allow digestion to begin, then eat a high-calorie snack 30-60 minutes before settling into your sleeping bag. This gives your body fuel to burn through the night without causing discomfort from a too-full stomach.

Keep emergency fuel within reach: Stash some nuts, chocolate bars, or energy gels inside your sleeping bag or in an easily accessible pocket. If you wake up cold in the middle of the night, eating a quick snack can make the difference between falling back asleep warm or shivering until dawn. Your body will convert that food into heat within minutes.

Alcohol may make you feel warm initially, but it dilates blood vessels and increases heat loss from your core to your extremities. This creates a dangerous false sense of warmth while actually making you colder. Save the celebratory drink for the morning.

Before Bed - Warming Up and Smart Strategies

Get Your Blood Pumping

Don't climb into a cold sleeping bag with a cold body. Before getting in, do 2-3 minutes of light exercise: jumping jacks, squats, or running in place. This raises your core temperature and gets warm blood flowing to your extremities. You want to be slightly warm when you get in your bag, not out of breath and sweating, as moisture is your enemy.

The Hot Water Bottle Trick

One of the most effective and underused winter camping hacks is the hot water bottle. Before bed, boil water and fill a durable water bottle (Nalgene-style bottles work perfectly). Wrap it in a sock or stuff sack to prevent burns, then place it in your sleeping bag 10-15 minutes before you get in.

• Place it at your feet to warm your toes
• Move it to your core area (abdomen) once in your bag
• In extreme cold, use two bottles - one for feet, one for core
• In the morning, you'll have liquid water for drinking or cooking

The Pee Bottle Strategy

Let's address the awkward but essential topic: midnight bathroom breaks. Having to leave your warm sleeping bag in freezing temperatures is miserable, and you lose significant body heat in the process. Keep a clearly labeled, wide-mouthed bottle inside your tent for overnight use. This keeps you warm, dry, and safe (no stumbling around in the dark). Just ensure the lid seals completely and store it away from your water bottles.

Extremities - You can't sleep if you have cold feet

• Head, hands, and feet are packed with blood vessels and feel the cold first.
• Wearing a hat, warm socks, and gloves keeps extremities warm.

Your head, hands, and feet are packed with blood vessels and feel the cold first. If these extremities are chilly, it can disrupt your sleep and make your entire body feel cold. Wearing a hat inside your sleeping bag can significantly affect your comfort. Putting on warm, dry socks and gloves keeps your hands and feet toasty. Adjust your attire as needed to match the conditions.

If your head, hands, or feet are cold, you will find it hard to get to sleep and it could have the effect of making the rest of your body feel cold.

Protection - Keep your sleeping bag dry

• Choose your shelter wisely (bothy, tent, snowhole, Alpine hut).
• Protect yourself from precipitation and manage condensation.
• Ensure your sleeping bag remains dry.
• Minimize draughts to reduce heat loss.
• Consider adding a bivvy bag or sleeping bag cover.

Your choice of shelter matters. Whether it's a bothy, tent, snowhole, or Alpine hut, it impacts your sleep. Staying dry in the rain isn't just about precipitation; managing condensation is equally important. Can you dry your sleeping bag during the day if it gets damp?

Minimising drafts in your sleeping area is crucial for heat retention, particularly with thinner sleeping bags. Using a bivvy bag or a sleeping bag can be used as a vapour barrier system, reducing moisture intake into the sleeping system.

Having a reliable and warm sleeping bag provides peace of mind, allowing you to focus on the adventure and the beauty of the experience, rather than worrying about staying warm through the night.

Site Selection for Warmth

Where you pitch your tent can dramatically affect how warm you stay at night. Cold air is denser than warm air, so it flows downhill and pools in valleys, depressions, and flat areas near water. This phenomenon, called a "cold sink" or "frost hollow," can make the temperature in a valley 10-15°C colder than on a slope just 50 meters higher.

Choose your pitch wisely:

• Pitch on a slight slope or mid-level terrain, not in valleys or hollows
• Avoid camping right next to rivers or lakes - the proximity to water creates colder conditions
• Look for natural windbreaks (rock formations, dense vegetation) while avoiding areas exposed to prevailing winds
• South-facing slopes get more sun exposure and tend to be slightly warmer
• Clear away snow underneath your tent site to prevent melting and moisture

Troubleshooting: What to Do If You Wake Up Cold

Despite your best preparations, you might wake up shivering in the middle of the night. Don't just tough it out and hope to fall back asleep - your body is telling you it needs help. Here's your action plan:

1. Eat something immediately: Reach for that chocolate bar or handful of nuts you stashed in your bag. Your body has run out of fuel and needs more to generate heat.
2. Check for drafts: Ensure your sleeping bag hood is cinched down, the neck baffle is sealed, and no gaps exist where cold air can enter. Adjust your layers.
3. Do isometric exercises: Without leaving your bag, tense and release muscle groups (thighs, glutes, abs) repeatedly. This generates heat without requiring you to move around or break a sweat.
4. Add more insulation: Put on that extra fleece or down jacket. Don't wait until you're desperately cold to add layers.
5. Warm your core: If you have a hot water bottle, make another one. Warming your core will help warm your extremities.
6. If all else fails, get up and move: Sometimes a few minutes of activity outside your bag is necessary to generate heat before climbing back in.

Remember: being cold overnight isn't just uncomfortable - it can be dangerous. Never hesitate to take action if you're genuinely cold.

Temperature-Specific Guidance

Not all winter camping is created equal. The strategies you need change as temperatures drop:

0°C to -5°C (Mild Winter Conditions)

• A single quality sleeping mat with R-value 4+ should suffice
• Basic layering (thermals and socks) usually adequate
• Standard 3-season bag with liner may be enough

-5°C to -15°C (Proper Winter Conditions)

• Layer two sleeping mats (self-inflating + closed cell foam) - this becomes essential
• Full thermal layers including hat and gloves inside bag
• Hot water bottle highly recommended
• Ensure your sleeping bag is rated appropriately (comfort rating, not just limit)

Below -15°C (Extreme Cold)

• Multiple sleeping mats are non-negotiable
• Consider vapour barrier liner systems to prevent condensation in your sleeping bag
• Two hot water bottles recommended
• Bring your water bottles and boot liners into your sleeping bag to prevent freezing
• A 4-season expedition-grade sleeping bag is essential
• Consider breathing through a buff or balaclava to warm air before it enters your sleeping bag

Managing Moisture: The Silent Warmth Killer

Condensation and moisture management is crucial in winter camping, yet often overlooked. Your body releases about half a liter of water vapor through breathing and perspiration each night. In cold conditions, this moisture can condense inside your tent and sleeping bag, reducing insulation effectiveness and making you colder.

Preventing Moisture Buildup

• Ventilation is key: Keep tent vents open even in cold weather. A well-ventilated tent may feel slightly colder initially, but you'll stay drier and warmer overall.
• Never cook inside your tent: Cooking produces enormous amounts of water vapor. If you must cook in the porch area, maximize ventilation.
• Keep wet items out: Store wet clothes, snow-covered gear, and boots away from your sleeping area or in a sealed bag.
• Wipe down condensation: In the morning, wipe interior tent walls with a cloth before packing up. This prevents ice buildup and reduces moisture in your packed tent.

Vapour Barrier Systems

For extended winter trips or extreme cold, consider using a vapour barrier liner (VBL) inside your sleeping bag. This thin, waterproof layer prevents moisture from your body reaching your sleeping bag's insulation. While it can feel slightly clammy at first, it keeps your bag's insulation dry and maintains its warmth over multiple nights in freezing conditions. This is particularly important for down sleeping bags, as down loses virtually all insulating properties when wet.

You have your sleeping system sorted but don't forget to take care of the roof over your head. For more advice, check out our guide on How to clean a tent. Keep your tent clean and waterproof. Check out our guide for tent maintenance, with tips on cleaning, storage, and repairs to keep your camp stress-free.

Before Bed Checklist

Use this quick checklist every night to ensure you've covered all the essentials: