While some adore the luxury of the modern camping experience, there are others who wish to stick with the basics.
Here are some simple winter camping tips and tricks to help get you started and make you feeling more confident in your winter trip.
But before you do, take a moment to reflect on your past camping experiences. Think about which items were most useful and which ones were just a waste of space.
An honest evaluation of your gear can help you make better choices in the future. And if you’re new to back-to-basics camping, this checklist will help you make sure you don’t forget anything important on your next trip.
This list covers all the essentials for a successful winter adventure:
- Backpack or duffel bag (with extra pockets)
Your bag should be large enough to fit everything on this list, as well as any extra items you might need, like a book or journal. Try to keep your bag light and compact so that you’re not carrying around more than what’s necessary.
- Heavy duty sleeping bag (with an insulated cover)
Look for a sleeping bag that has an insulation rating of at least 20 degrees Fahrenheit (F). If you’re going on a longer trip, consider bringing two sleeping bags so that one can be used as an under-quilt in case it gets really cold at night.
A tent is one of the most important pieces of camping gear you’ll need on your trip. There are many different types of tents available today, ranging from small backpacking tents to large family-sized tents. If you’re going solo or with one other person, I’d recommend getting a two-person tent that offers enough room for both people and their belongings inside. If there are more than two people traveling together, a three-person or four-person tent will do just fine as well.
- Sleeping pad (foam or inflatable)
Your body heat will be lost through your torso while sleeping, so it’s important to stay warm while you rest up at night. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir All Season pads are lightweight, high quality pads that provide insulation from the ground and help keep you warm at night.
- Thermal underwear top and bottom
Thermals are a must-have for winter camping because they keep you warm even if it gets really cold outside. You can get thermals from most outdoor stores or online retailers like Amazon. If you’re going on a long trip, consider getting two pairs so that you always have a clean set of clothes to wear in case one pair gets dirty or wet — especially if your campsite doesn’t have laundry facilities!
- Waterproof boots or gaiters (waterproof hiking boots are ideal but snow boots work too)
It’s easy to get caught up in buying new gear at every opportunity, but if you already have a good pair of waterproof boots, there’s no need to rush out and buy another pair for winter. Instead, invest in some good gaiters that will keep snow and mud from getting inside your boots after a long day on the trail.
Winter camping can be an incredible experience if you’re prepared properly. And while cold weather may seem to bring increased complications in planning and execution, with a little pre-trip planning, your journey won’t be too much different than that for summer trips. As long as you remember to take the same essential items, your trip will go off without a hitch.