Camping Gear for Cold Weather You’ll Actually Love

The camping community is a mixture of fair-weather campers and extremists willing to camp in any weather conditions. If you’re anything like us, you’re somewhere between the two.

If you want to camp during winter, you will need some camping gear for cold weather. Having the right equipment can make all the difference between a comfortable and miserable camping experience.

Today, we’ll look at some pieces of camping gear for cold weather that you’ll love to use during your adventures.

Let’s get started!

How Do People Survive Cold-Weather Camping? 

People can survive cold-weather camping by having the right gear. If you don’t have the right equipment, it will be nearly impossible to safely camp when the temperatures drop.

Dressing in layers, using multiple sleeping pads and a few advanced survival techniques can increase the odds of surviving cold-weather camping.

However, it’s important to know your limits and never to avoid putting yourself in a dangerous situation.

It may be a good idea to postpone a camping trip if you see extreme cold weather in the forecast while camping. You don’t want to put yourself into an unsafe situation that was easily avoidable had you headed the warnings.

What Temperature Is Too Cold for Camping?

For the average camper, temperatures below 30 to 40 degrees are too cold for camping. Anything below freezing will require an individual to have the right gear to stay comfortable.

Hypothermia, frostbite, or dehydration are all possible dangers campers face when camping in cold temperatures. You must check the weather when planning any camping adventure, especially during the winter. 

However, remember that weather conditions and temperatures can change quickly if your camping adventures involve climbing in elevation.

It may be warm when you start driving to your campsite, but if you’re going up in elevation, the temperatures can quickly drop, especially at night.

How Can I Keep My Tent Warm Without Electricity?

If you plan to camp without electricity during cold weather, you’ll need to find a way to stay warm inside your tent. A portable gas heater is one of the most effective ways to keep warm in a tent without electricity.

The Mr. Heater portable gas heater will likely be able to generate enough heat inside your tent to keep you nice and toasty. However, you’ll need to haul propane wherever you’re camping.

This can make be a problem, especially if you’re backpacking.

A well-insulated tent is going to make it easier to stay warm. Be picky about which tent you select and consider adding insulation.

Putting down a piece of all-weather carpet can help you insulate the flooring in your tent.

This creates an additional layer between you and the cold ground and helps keep cold air out of your tent.

Be particular about the gear you bring and the clothes you wear. A quality sleeping bag, an all-season tent, and dressing in layers can keep you warm during frigid temperatures.

You’ll also want to consider where you set up your tent. If you can camp near trees or rocks that can block the wind, this can help avoid the chilly winds from finding their way into your tent.

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Camping Gear for Cold Weather You’ll Actually Love

We keep repeating that it’s essential to have the right gear if you want to stay comfortable while camping.

Let’s look at some you should consider bringing with you on your winter camping trip.

Large Camping Blanket with Sherpa Lining

One of the best ways to stay warm is to have a warm blanket to wrap around you. This large camping blanket has a sherpa lining on one side and a windproof and water-resistant layer on the opposite side.

It’s perfect for sitting around a campfire during a chilly night or wrapping around you inside your tent. It weighs 2.9 pounds and is easy to clean.

Just toss it in the washing machine at the end of your trip, and it’ll be clean and ready to go for your next trip.

Sleeping Bag 20℉ for 3-4 Season Camping

The coldest temperatures tend to come in the middle of the night when you’re trying to get some sleep.

Having this sleeping bag with a 20-degree rating will keep you warm, even when the temperatures dip below freezing.

This sleeping bag uses double-filled technology to help keep cold air and moisture from getting to you while you sleep.

Keep in Mind: Not all RVs are made for winter weather, but these 1 Class C RVs are!

Warm Thermal Socks

There are few things worse than having cold feet. The best way to avoid getting cold feet is to wear warm thermal socks.

These socks come in a variety of sizes and patterns. They’re not only warm but also stylish. They claim to be seven times warmer than standard cotton socks. 

Another great thing about these socks is that you can wear them anytime your feet get cold, not just when you’re camping.

If these thermal socks don’t keep your little piggies warm, there’s a 100% money-back guarantee.

Coleman Portable Butane Stove with Carrying Case

Sometimes the best way to stay warm is to have a delicious warm beverage. Whether you want coffee, hot chocolate, or soup, the Coleman portable butane stove will help you to prepare it.

The stove weighs less than five pounds and fits a 10-inch pan. The included carrying case makes it easy to store or carry with you during your camping trip.

HotHands Body & Hand Super Warmers

HotHands are small packets that use a chemical reaction inside the package to generate heat. These packets can produce up to 18 hours of heat and are great for keeping your hands and feet warm.

These are commonly used by athletes and individuals spending extended periods in frigid temperatures. Toss a few HotHands in the bottom of your sleeping bag or your pockets, and you’ll stay warm for hours!

 Mr. Heater Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Heater

The Mr. Heater Buddy is popular for tent and RV camping during cold temperatures.

It produces 4,000 to 9,000 BTUs of heat and is a propane heater that’s safe to use indoors. It has safety mechanisms that help keep you safe should it tip over or detect unsafe carbon monoxide levels. 

As tiny as this heater is, it does an excellent job of heating up to a 225-square-foot space.

It can run on a small one-pound propane tank for 5.4 hours on low or 2.4 hours on high.

Between the lightweight construction and easy-grip handle, taking this heater with you on any cold weather excursion is easy.

160 Piece Emergency Survival Kit

You never know what you’re going to need to survive the elements. This 160-piece emergency survival kit provides you with about anything you could need for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.

It’s perfect for bringing with you camping or stowing away in case of an emergency. You may hope not to need it, but you’ll be glad you have it if you do have to use it.

The survival kit has some of the most important survival items you would need, including a tactical folding knife, fire starter, and flashlight.

Self Inflating Sleeping Pad for Camping – 4.3 R Insulated

You want to separate yourself and your sleeping bag from the cold ground as much as possible.

Using an insulated camping mat can do just that. This self-inflating sleeping pad is perfect for tent camping during cold temperatures.

It weighs only 2.2 pounds and has a water-resistant layer to help prevent any issues with moisture. 

You don’t have to worry about wasting energy airing up this sleeping pad.

All you need to do is twist a leak-proof valve and let the pad inflate itself.

You may need to add a few puffs of air, but the sleeping pad will maintain its shape for days.

Pro Tip: Your pets need winter camping gear too! Take a look at these Winter Products for Pets!

Yaktrax Pro Traction Cleats for Hiking on Snow and Ice

Just because Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate doesn’t mean you have to spend the entire time in your tent. However, if you want to hit trails covered in snow or ice, you’ll want a pair of Yaktrax cleats on your shoes.

These cleats fit your hiking boots or shoes and can help you avoid a potentially dangerous fall. 

They provide 360 degrees of traction for optimal stability when the trail conditions are less than ideal.

They’ve been tested against temperatures as low as -41 degrees Fahrenheit, far lower than most any camper will likely experience during their trip.

Portable Stainless Steel Wood Stove

Stuff this portable stainless steel wood stove with branches, leaves, and small pieces of wood, and you’ll have an instant heat source. You can use the heat to stay warm or prepare food.

The stainless steel materials help create a sturdy and stable stove that can withstand the abuse that tends to happen while camping. 

At 0.68 pounds, you won’t have to worry about this stove weighing you down if you’re backpacking or taking up too much storage space.

It uses a unique technology to reduce the amount of smoke, which can help you avoid smelling like smoke for the rest of your trip.

Are You Prepared for Cold Weather Camping? 

If you hope to do some cold weather camping, ensure you have the right gear.

You don’t want to be in a dangerous situation because you didn’t prepare. Cold temperatures can quickly sneak up on you, and you don’t want to get caught off guard.

Take the time to gather your supplies for a fun and exciting cold weather camping season. 

What items should you get before the next cold weather camping season?

Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API