Winter Camping Tips, Tent, Sleeping Tips & More

Getting outdoors in the winter can seem like a daunting task for some people, but the skills it requires to spend a few nights camping in the cold are not all that different from the skills it takes to camp during the other three seasons of the year. All you need is the right gear and proper planning to tackle your first winter camp.

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear”- Atmosphere Assistant Store Manager and avid winter camping expert Dillon Lowen

Most people will never muster the courage to brave even one night at -25 C but those who do know the benefits are many: fewer people camping means your solitude is greater, there’s a large range of winter activities you have access to such as Snowshoeing, Ice Climbing and Nordic Skiing, and the views are enhanced by light reflected off the snow (some people say it’s like waking up on another planet).

Your sleeping system refers to a few different elements that combine to make a comfortable, warm, and safe environment for you to sleep in when the temperature outside your tent is well below zero. First we’ll cover your sleeping bag and sleeping pad, then we’ll address the type of clothing you should wear to bed and other tips for making your sleep better.

Again it’s important to ask yourself a few questions before buying your sleeping bag for winter camping:

Where will you camp?

Match the conditions you’ll be sleeping in to the temperature rating of the sleeping bag and sleeping pad.

How long will you camp?

Down vs synthetic insulation

Down-filled sleeping bags have been the go-to winter sleeping bag insulation for decades thanks to their ability to keep us warm at extremely low temperatures while not significantly increasing pack weight.

Down is lightweight and creates a great amount of loft (space for warm air to get trapped between you and the outside air). However, this material does not dry out quickly which means that on long trips where moisture has accumulated inside the tent and your sleeping bag, it may not dry out during the day in time for your night’s sleep.

Synthetic sleeping bags offer an advantage over down-filled sleeping bags in that they can provide sufficient insulation and also dry out fast. They are less lightweight than down but are also less expensive.

If you’re on a longer winter camping trip, a synthetic sleeping bag might be a better choice.

Which style do you prefer?

Mummy

Mummy-style sleeping bags are extremely popular among many camping enthusiasts because they’re more lightweight than a rectangle style and are also highly efficient at keeping you warm.

Sleeping bags keep you warm by utilizing the ‘dead air’ around your body within the bag – this air does not circulate and is instead warmed by your own body heat, creating a layer of warm air between you and the outside air.

The reduction in space near the foot of the bag means there’s a reduction in the amount of air that needs to be warmed by your body to create a proper layer of insulation.

Rectangle

Some campers find rectangle-style sleeping bags more comfortable because they allow more space for your feet to move around inside the bag.

Sleeping pad    

A sleeping pad works to keep you warm by creating space between you and the cold ground. Elevating your body only a few inches off the ground will make your sleep more comfortable and keep you far warmer than if your sleeping bag was making direct contact with the snowy ground. You’ll need to select a sleeping pad rated to the temperature you’ll be camping in.

Vapor Barrier Liner

A vapor barrier liner is another layer of material that helps to trap warm air close to your body. It goes between you and the sleeping bag and is designed to regulate the moisture your body produces, allowing it to move outward toward the exterior of your bag.