Anyone who spends time enjoying and exploring the great outdoors knows that gear is everything. Clothing with features that optimize breathability, warmth, and freedom of movement is a must, along with durable equipment you can rely on to get you through your adventures. In the summer months, this gear may be more minimal, but when it comes to essentials for colder months, there’s a lot more to it. 

Many of us campers have experienced waking up on a chillier-than-average morning in the summer: the cold can be unpleasant, but you can usually go about your day and activities as normal, even if you overestimated the temperatures and underpacked. But in the winter, misjudging the weather can be what sends you home early—or worse, puts you in a dangerous situation. So you want to be as prepared as possible, and it all starts with a reliable tent, warm sleeping bag, and insulated sleeping pad.

Camp and sleep in the cold

Conquer the cold with the right setup. From sturdy tents to insulated sleeping bags, your gear makes all the difference for a cozy night outdoors.

Get the right tent type

Your winter camping tent is your shelter and not something you want to skimp on. A 3-season tent might be an okay choice if the weather is more mild, but a 4-season tent is a better option when camping in winter’s unpredictable extremes. 4-season tents are designed to shield strong winds and shed heavy snow, keeping you protected and comfortable.

Choose warmer sleeping bags and mats

You’re going to want your sleeping bag to be lofty and warm. So choose one with a temperature rating that’s at least 5 degrees colder than the coldest weather you’re expecting.

Your sleeping mat plays a big role in keeping you toasty, too. It’s what protects you from the freezing ground and should be well insulated, indicated by a high R-value.

Tent insulation tip

If you’re wondering how to insulate a tent for winter camping, using heat packs in your sleeping bag is a useful trick. Another pro tip: Avoid touching your tent walls from the inside. If condensation has gathered, it’ll drip into your tent when you touch the walls! If you’re in an area where you can mount a tarp over your tent, that will minimize tent dew.

Camp kitchen and food management

Managing your camp kitchen and food properly is crucial for a successful winter camping trip. From reliable stoves to smart storage tips, staying fueled and hydrated in the cold is easier than you might think.

Bring enough gas for the trip

There’s nothing quite like a hot cup of coffee when waking up in nature. This is even truer when you’re surrounded by snow and cold temps. To get that early morning cup of joe, all-in-one canister stoves are reliable, easy to use, and thrive in the face of winter winds. Make sure to bring a little extra fuel than what you actually need too, especially if you’re melting snow for water. An 8-ounce isobutane or propane canister is a good amount for two campers for two days.

Use all-in-one cooking sets

Using a platform is recommended, since as your camping stove heats up, it’ll melt the snow beneath to create an uneven cooking surface. If you have an all-in-one stove system, you won’t need to bring a pot, just a spork. For food, dehydrated meals are a convenient and tasty option. Bring along a multitool as well. A knife will serve you well for cooking purposes, but can come in handy for other uses, too.

Keep your food and water from freezing

So you’ve got your meals sorted out, but you also want to know how to keep food from freezing during winter camping. Well, we’ve got some tips for you. Believe it or not, burying your food in the snow is a good option, since snow has incredible insulating properties. For water, first and foremost, make sure to bring an insulated bottle. Then, keeping your water in your sleeping bag is a nifty way to keep it from freezing, thanks to your body heat.

Clothing and footwear

Choosing the right clothing and footwear is key to staying warm, dry, and comfortable during winter camping. With smart layering and essential extras, you’ll be ready to take on the cold with confidence.

Wear quick-drying underwear

When you’re thinking of what to bring for winter camping, clothing plays a vital role. And layering is the only way to go. Build your clothing foundation with quick-drying underwear, then a warm and breathable base layer set. Merino wool base layers are an amazing option. For a trip of a few days, one set should be enough, while longer winter trips require another set.

Use mid layers to stay warm

The next step is a warm mid layer, like a fleece or light puffy jacket. On top of that, you’re going to want to wear a heavy-weight down jacket or synthetic, waterproof jacket. When it’s really cold, you should also add winter pants. If you’re anticipating precipitation, throw on an outer layer, like a hardshell or ski jacket, for good measure.

Pack extra socks, gloves and hats

The last thing you want when winter camping is wet feet. Wet means cold. So a durable, waterproof, and warm pair of winter boots is a must. Don’t forget good socks, too. Merino is a fantastic option here.

And of course, a hat and gloves. Consider packing several pairs of the latter or, at the very least, a pair of liner gloves and a pair of insulated gloves to layer over top of each other. You’ll also need two hats—one really warm one for camp and a more technical one for outdoor activities. If your hands are particularly susceptible to cold, invest in some chemical hand warmers.

A scarf or neck gaiter can come in handy, as well.

Keep your clothes as dry as possible

Ideally, your clothing should be high quality and technical enough to stay dry, even when you get sweaty. But if you fall victim to dampness, there are ways to combat it. If you’re able to have a fire at your camp, it’ll be a good way to dry out your clothes. Plus, if you have a metal water bottle, you can fill it with hot water and try to iron out moisture as well.

Personal Hygiene

Staying clean in the backcountry is crucial, even in winter’s chill. With a few simple tips, you can maintain hygiene without overcomplicating your routine.

Don’t neglect your self-care routine

Personal hygiene is not something to be skipped just because the cold and wind make it uncomfortable to keep up with. On cold nights, a simple wet rag used in your tent can suffice to wipe away sweat from key areas on your body, like your armpits and feet. Hand sanitizer is the easiest way to keep your hands clean. If you plan on using soap, make sure you choose an option that is biodegradable. 

Remember to pack the basics and then some

When packing toilet paper, you can take out the cardboard roll and put the remaining paper in a plastic baggie. This reduces weight and bulk in your pack. A toothbrush and toothpaste are also obviously a must, but don’t forget one other key item for winter campingsunscreen for your face! Just because there’s snow on the ground, doesn’t mean those rays are any less powerful, especially as they reflect off the white powder.

Stay fresh—anywhere, anytime

Instead of a wet rag, makeup wipes or baby wipes can be used for a quick fix, since they’re disposable and easy to pack among your personal items. Plus, since using the bathroom outside when it’s cold is already enough of a hassle, we recommend bringing GoGirl products for women to make it a bit easier.

Traveling and safety gear

There are many safety risks to consider in winter that don’t exist during summer, like avalanches or whiteout conditions. But with the right winter camping essentials, you can be ready for anything. Remember, for each of these tech tools, be absolutely sure to bring along enough extra batteries if required!

Use remote navigation tools

A good navigation method is a must, whether you’re using a compass or a GPS (and preferably both). Make sure to also bring a durable and reliable portable charger for your phone. Once you know the ground you’re going to cover, get some poles so you can easily trek through powdery snow banks. A headlamp is also essential for navigation, and for just chilling around camp.

Don’t mess with avalanches

If you’re going to be travelling in avalanche territory, bring a beacon (otherwise known as a transceiver) with you at all times. If you were to ever be trapped and buried by an avalanche, your beacon sends a signal to someone else’s beacon, so they can find you as quickly and efficiently as possible. You should also have a shovel and a probe, so you can also help dig out someone that’s trapped.

Invest in a good backpack

Finally, you’re going to need a way to carry all this stuff, along with everything else on your winter camping checklist. Invest in a high-quality backpack that can hold 50-70L, since winter camping gear is always bulkier than summer equipment.

Use apps to track your trip and stay informed

Want to optimize your winter camping experience with your phone? Download the AllTrails app to check out winter routes you’d like to conquer. Users often provide reviews, as well as updates if a trail is no longer being maintained or has closed to the public.

Strava is another fun way to share your journey with your friends when you’re done, and provides you with useful stats like elevation gain and pace.

Faq

Q: What do you need for camping in winter?

A: While winter camping does require a few extra pieces of gear than its summer counterpart, the bulk of your inventory will remain the same. The main difference is that features like insulation and cold weather-resistant will need to be optimised.

For example, a winter camping sleeping bag will be loftier. The sleeping bag you bring along should be good for at least 5 degrees colder than the forecasted temperatures for your trip. You might also consider pairing it with a sleeping bag liner. A good bag liner can provide up to 10 degrees of added insulation.

Meanwhile, your sleeping mat should be insulated to keep the freezing ground from hindering your nighttime rest. A winter camping tent will be sturdier than a summer one, shielding strong winds and shedding heavy snow.

Your clothes will also be bulkier and designed to keep you extra warm while wicking away sweat. A good base layer set is non-negotiable, along with a mid layer, heavy-weight winter jacket, waterproof winter boots, plus a shell jacket and/or winter pants, if necessary.

These winter camping items will keep you safe from the cold, but there are other safety items you’ll need to have, as well. A reliable GPS system, a first-aid kit, an avalanche beacon, a probe, and a shovel mean the difference between life and death in the event of an avalanche.

Q: How do you keep warm in winter camping?

A: It depends. Your version of  too cold might be different from someone else’s. It ultimately boils down to experience level, equipment, and cold tolerance. If you’re completely new to winter camping, you might want to ease into it by not going in the dead of winter, maybe opting for the shoulder season instead. A seasoned mountaineer, on the other hand, may be comfortable and equipped to dive into temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Ultimately, there’s no objective definition for “too cold.” Just be sure to always check the forecast before you go and prepare accordingly.

Q: How cold is too cold for camping?

A: It depends. Your version of  too cold might be different from someone else’s: it all comes down to experience level, equipment, and tolerance to the cold. If you’re completely new to winter camping, you might want to ease into it by not going in the dead of winter, maybe opting for the shoulder season first instead. A seasoned mountaineer, on the other hand, may be comfortable and equipped to dive into temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Ultimately, there is no concrete “too cold” temperature, but make sure to always check the forecast before you go to know what you’re getting into.

Conclusion


Okay, winter camping might be a bit more daunting than summer camping, but what kind of outdoor enthusiast doesn’t love a good challenge? Plus, it
offers some of the most beautiful, serene, and calming experiences in nature. By taking on a winter camping adventure, you’ll behold the elements in unique ways that most don’t ever get the chance to witness. 

As long as you’re well prepared for the temperatures and winter conditions, there’s incredible new outdoor memories that await. We hope these winter camping hacks will inspire your first winter camping trip, or help to improve upon your next one!

Next up, discover our favourite winter camping sleeping bags for any adventure!