Winter Camping Gear

Do you love to camp? Don’t want to give it up in the winter? Then you’ll want to be prepared with the proper winter camping gear.

Winter camping takes longer to cook, longer to hike, longer to do pretty much everything. Whether you’re camping in snow or just out in the cold, remember that you’ll need to allow extra time for any activities.

Clothing

The trick here is layering. Whether you’re sitting in a deer stand or hiking through the woods, your body will perspire. This is a normal body function. However, danger exists when your clothing gets wet because wet can chill your body. Dealing with wet clothing, especially in windy conditions, is not only inconvenient but it can kill.

Do not wear cotton. Once it becomes wet, cotton loses all insulating features. Instead, layer three or more items. First, start with wool or silk longjohns against your skin. Second choose a fleece layer that will insulate, and third, you want an outer shell that’s waterproof. Make sure the outer layer is also windproof. When temperatures get down in the 20s and 30s, even a gentle breeze can produce significant wind chills that are dangerous.

Footwear and Headwear

Your winter camping gear will not be complete without a discussion of proper footwear.

Many people think that your footwear needs to be tight to keep your feet warm. This is wrong!

Your summer camping gear may include leather hiking boots, but in cold weather these can make your winter camping miserable.

Footwear needs to be loose and comfortable to allow for multiple layers of socks. Again, choose sock fabrics like silk or wool, but don’t wear them too tight. Blood needs to circulate around your feet and toes to keep you comfortably warm. If your socks get wet, remove them immediately and replace with dry socks.

Some people wear fabric or leather boots with Gore-tex or thinsulate insulation and add rubber boots over them. This is not a bad idea since the rubber boots will keep water and snow out. Just remember that if your fabric boots get wet, you may find your feet dealing with frostbite! Check with your local or online camping retailers for boots specifically designed as winter camping gear.

Remember, also, that as much 40% of your body heat can be lost through your head. It is always a good idea to wear a hat when you’re winter camping. An old adage is that if your feet are cold, you need to add a hat!

Sleeping Gear

Winter camping gear should include two items for good sleep: a sleeping pad and a good sleeping bag.

Don’t use an air mattress or camp cot. These allow the cold air to circulate around your body, robbing you of any warmth.

Instead, choose an insulating foam mat or two. These are usually about an inch thick, and will work well to insulate you from the ground. These mats are available from any camping retailer and run from about $25 to $40 each.

Next you’ll want to consider a good sleeping bag. Don’t pick up the $29.95 model at Walmart, you’ll be sorry. You want a good quality sleeping bag filled with Techloft, Fiberfil, or other superior grade stuffing. Cost is greater for a sleeping bag like this (as much as $130 or so), but you’ll be glad you chose this bag when the thermometer reads 14 degrees!

This Author really loves his home and family and lives life to the full. He also loves to learn about everything. Feel free to see some of his interests at

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