Winter is the season a lot of campers love best. Pine trees buried in heavy snow and quiet mountain peaks make for a trip you do not want to miss. The catch is the cold. Nights run far colder than days, and without the right setup a snow-laden site can pull every bit of warmth out of your tent.
A campfire is many people's go-to for staying warm, but you cannot bring one inside the tent, so you need more practical ways to keep the heat trapped where you sleep. The good news is that insulating a tent is not rocket science. Below are eight straightforward steps that work together to keep you safe and comfortable through the chilly nights.
Camp Insulation: Why Do We Need It?
Tents are built from material chosen to give you shelter, but in snow-laden areas that comfort can be taken away fast if you have not set up proper insulation. For winter, we recommend a tent with a more compact footprint, since a smaller space takes less effort to keep the trapped heat inside. You will also need to line up the specific gear before you head out.
One thing beginners should know is that propane is not the best choice for such compact spaces. There are plenty of tent heaters on the market, and you can pick one to match your camp size. If you would rather not rely on a heater at all, the tips that follow will help you sustain the chilly nights on their own.
Picking the Right Spot
This is the most fundamental factor when you start looking for ways to dodge the worst of the cold. Once you reach the area where you plan to set up, look for the most sheltered, concealed spot you can find. It will save your tent from the harsh winds that strip away warmth.
While you are choosing, keep in mind that the tent must not be pitched in a low area. If it snows, the snow settles in those low spots, and that is not a suitable place for your tent.
- Choose a concealed spot shielded from the wind.
- Avoid low ground where snow and cold air collect.
Get Some Help from the Ground Tarp
The tent you buy most likely will not come with a ground cover. Many people who already have a tent footprint wonder whether they still need a ground tarp on top of that. The answer is yes. It gives you extra protection from the cold ground, and because the tarp is a waterproof material, it also helps turn your camp into waterproofed housing.
Apply Water Packs
This is an old method of keeping heat trapped. Once everything is set up and you are ready to move in, you can apply these water packs to the tent's outer surface. What they do is resist the warm air inside your tent and slow it from escaping.
Once they are in place, you can settle in for the night without the stress of freezing overnight.
Get a Camp Heater
You will find plenty of heaters online that are compact enough to fit easily inside your camp. For safety, many come equipped with a CO detector that shuts the unit off automatically if the levels climb too high.
While you are shopping, make sure you pick one that is not too cheaply built. The bargain models are the ones that can short circuit or overheat, which is the last thing you want in a closed tent.
Sleeping Bags
Once the outside and inside of the tent are handled, it is time to give yourself some coziness with a good sleeping bag. The material used in the best bags is capable of providing the occupant enough heat even at temperatures around 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
A quality sleeping bag is the accessory that keeps you comfortable through the whole night, so it is worth not cutting corners here.
Cover Your Head with a Balaclava
A lot of campers struggle to keep their head covered through the night. For them, the best approach is a knitted cap paired with a balaclava that also keeps the neck warm. You lose a real amount of heat through your head, so covering it makes a noticeable difference.
There are many options on the market, and this is not the place to skimp on quality. You want as much warmth as possible, and a well-made warmer will keep you comfortable.
Light a Fire
When you plan your trip, do not forget the tools you need to reliably light a fire. During the day and at night, when everyone gathers around outside, you will want something to keep you warm, because a tent heater alone will not be enough for the outdoors.
One more thing not to overlook is a spotlight. Camping sites are often remote, so you will need a strong source of lighting once the sun goes down.
Gear That Helps
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- Waterproof Camping Ground Tarp
A waterproof ground tarp adds a barrier between you and the cold, wet ground and helps turn your camp into waterproofed housing.
- Portable Tent Camp Heater
A compact camp heater with an automatic CO shutoff is a safer way to add real warmth inside a small winter tent.
- Winter Camping Balaclava
A quality balaclava covers your head and neck so you stop losing heat through the most exposed part of your body overnight.