When I traveled to Colorado from Pennsylvania, I decided to set camp near Pikes Peak on my first night. It was alright at first, but once the sun went down, the temperature dropped to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
I was really tired, so I didn’t think much of it and fell asleep like a baby. But it only lasted for about half an hour or so, as I woke up freezing.
Unfortunately, I had to spend the rest of the night just lying there, shivering and waiting for the sun to come up.
After that night, I swore I’d never shiver through another one again. So in this guide, I’ve listed everything I have figured out since that actually keeps you warm while camping.
1. Choose the Right Campsite
Warmth starts with where you pitch your tent. Pick your spot wisely, and you can cut the chill before it even starts.
I avoid low-lying areas like riverbanks or valleys as cold air sinks, so those become iceboxes at night. Instead, I look for a flat patch slightly elevated, sheltered by trees or rocks from the wind.
Also, set up before dark. Nothing ruins morale like fumbling with tent poles in freezing temperatures while your fingers go numb. So, you need to set up a tent, eat, and go to bed before nightfall.
2. Invest in a Quality Sleeping Bag
You can find two types of sleeping bags based on their material: Down and synthetic.
For instance, down bags are a featherweight champ, meaning you won’t feel a thing carrying them, and you can just squeeze them in your bag.
Though it traps air like a pro, it’s not suitable if you tend to sweat more.
Meanwhile, synthetic bags don’t mind whether you sweat or plan to camp somewhere damp, as they absorb moisture and don’t lose their puffiness even when wet.
But they sure are heavier and less durable than down bags.
Now, here’s another thing you must consider while choosing sleeping bags: Temperature rating! This is where I myself made a mistake as a newbie camper.
I used to think bags rated for 10°C meant comfortable at 10°C. Could I have been any more wrong? It turns out it means you’ll survive at 10°C, not the comfort rating.
Nowadays, I go for bags rated at least 15-20° lower than the coldest night I expect. So, if the forecast says it’s gonna dip below 0°C, my bag definitely has at least a -15°C rated bag.
Apart from it, I always toss in a liner inside the bag: a simple fleece or silk one adds noticeable warmth. If it’s seriously cold, I throw a thin thermal blanket inside too.
Oh, and don’t go to bed wearing the same sweaty shirt you hiked in. That’s a rookie mistake you’ll only make once.
3. Use an Insulated Sleeping Pad
You can have the world’s best sleeping bag, but if you’re lying on bare ground or a thin mat, you’ll still feel like a frozen burrito. Why?
Because the ground will steal your body heat, leaving you cold and chilly.
To avoid this, an insulated sleeping pad or a closed-cell foam pad is a must, as it creates a layer of heat insulation between you and the ground.
Having said that, you mustn’t buy any basic inflatable pad but a pad with a higher R-value. For me, if it’s winter season camping, I go for pads with R-value 5 or higher; otherwise, 3-5 works like a charm.
If weight isn’t an issue, ensure to bring two sleeping pads with you instead of just one for under your sleeping bag.
In addition, you can opt for foam pads with a reflective coat that reflects your body heat back to you.
Now, here’s my personal tip that I would highly suggest to you is preheating the pad by tossing in a warm water bottle inside the sleeping bag for about ten minutes or so before climbing in.
But do make sure to tighten the water bottle cap properly.
4. Keep Your Feet and Hands Toasty
Cold toes? They are like an early warning system for misery.
If your feet go cold, your whole body soon follows. Ouch! That’s why, right before bed, I always change into a fresh pair of wool socks.
If they’re still chilly, I warm them by the fire first, just not too close, as I’ve sadly scorched a good pair before.
In addition to it, I also stash a hand warmer or that trusty hot-water bottle at the foot of my bag. As for hands, I slip on a thin pair of gloves before I drift off.
One more tip: don’t cinch your socks too tight. You are more likely to restrict blood flow, and then you’re cold and uncomfortable. You definitely don’t want that.
5. Layer Your Clothing Smartly
Layering is less about quantity and more about strategy, meaning each layer has a purpose, from keeping moisture away to trapping warmth and blocking wind.
The correct way to layer is to have three different layers: Base, mid, and outer layer.
For a base layer, I usually go for a warm, non-cotton-like merino wool as it absorbs moisture or sweat like a pro.
Basically, the base layer clothes must not hold moisture. So, cotton is a big NO NO!
Likewise, for the mid-layer, I often throw myself some fleece or a puffy jacket, which traps my body heat like a pro, and that’s the main goal of the mid-layer.
Lastly, I like to wear windproof or waterproof jackets to shield me from chilly winds.
At night, I wear dry thermals and thick socks. If I feel chilly, I throw my down jacket on over my base layer before zipping up in my sleeping bag.
And don’t forget your head. A beanie or buff makes a ridiculous difference.
6. Eat a Warm, High-Calorie Meal Before Bed
If you crawl into your sleeping bag after eating something warm or calorie-heavy, maybe like hearty stews, warming soups, and oatmeal with nuts or cheese, your body will be much warmer thanks to digestion.
Some of the dishes that you can eat to stay warm are like mac and cheese (the real deal, not some sad instant one), pasta with olive oil and tuna, maybe a simple potato hash cooked in butter, or like beans with beef.
Basically, foods rich in carbs and fats will do fine.
Personally, I prefer healthy fats like olive oil, butter, or a bit of cheese because they keep me warm throughout the night while camping.
7. Stay Hydrated with Warm Drinks
When it’s cold outside, you often don’t feel thirsty, but trust me, dehydration is always sneaking up there.
To counter it, I always pack herbal teas or rich cocoa along with insulated mugs and drink them before bed. Here’s my secret to always making delicious coffee even while camping.
Even if you forgot to pack these, drinking warm water before bed also works like a charm.
That said, try not to drink a lot, as you definitely don’t wanna wake up in the middle of a freezing night for a pee break. Trust me!
8. Use a Smaller Tent for Cold Nights
I loved my space, but on a freezing cold night, having too much room in the 4-person tent just made it impossible for me to stay warm.
Sacrificing my comfort, I tried a smaller 2-person tent, and it was a total game-changer.
The smaller tent seemingly trapped my body heat so much better, and the entire tent space warmed much faster than when the 4-person one did.
Now, despite the size, they are a cozy little haven for me while camping.
Besides the size, you also have to make sure to block the drafts. Cold winds can easily reach you through zippers and vents, so I tuck gear bags or towels along the edges to keep the cold out.
I’ve known folks who even line the seams with Reflectix foil, turning a drafty dome into a warm fortress.
9. Rituals Before Bed
After years of camping in all kinds of weather, I’ve experienced and learned that warmth isn’t only about a good sleeping bag, tent, or other gear.
More often, it’s the small things you do before bed that make the biggest difference.
Once, I went to sleep without changing the clothes I’d hiked in and woke up shivering at 3 a.m.
Turns out, that bit of sweat left on my clothes stole my body heat faster than anything else. Nowadays, I always change into dry clothes before bed, especially the base layer and socks.
Besides, I also do some warm-up exercises, like push-ups or stretches, to boost blood circulation.
It’s just enough to warm me up without breaking a sweat, and I don’t suggest overdoing it either. If exercises seem like too much, you can just walk around a bit, and that will be enough.
Now, the last “ritual” thing that I do before bed is wearing a balaclava or a neck gaiter to protect my face and neck from cold air.
These little bedtime rituals might seem minor, but together they turn a freezing night into a warm, comfortable sleep.
10. Use Reflective Blankets or Tent Insulation
I once grabbed a foil survival blanket on a whim. It was entirely because of the cheaper price and lightweight, and I figured I’d get a couple of uses out of it.
To my surprise, I’ve ended up using it a dozen times.
The secret? It has a reflective layer that bounces back my body heat instead of letting it go. So, they kept me warmer throughout the night.
Now I usually slip one inside my sleeping bag as a liner, but on really cold nights, I also line parts of the tent walls or ceiling.
Final Thoughts
Now, before you head out to the wild, always remember to double-check your essential gear. It never hurts to recheck, no? Definitely better than realizing you forgot your sleeping pad or gloves, or extra layers.
Also, do not entirely rely on the forecast because in the backcountry or during the winter season, temperatures can drop even below what they tell you.
Nights can be very brutal, especially in the mountains, where wind and elevation make the cold bite harder.
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