Essential Tips for Winter Camping Success
I have camped in some pretty cold conditions in the Midwest.
While it is very rewarding to get out and camp in the colder months, one must be safe and stay warm. There are some very amazing pieces of cold weather gear out there that will keep ya toasty warm in the toughest of conditions. However, they usually have a pretty hefty price tag that goes along with them. Here is what I use as a sleep system when camping in winter.
The first thing I use is military bivy. The bivy acts as a great first line of defense against the cold ground. You could have the greatest down bag in the world, but without proper insulation underneath you, it won’t do you much good. Inside the bivy, I put two sleeping pads. The first pad I use is a Nemo switchback closed-cell foam pad. It has an R-value of 2. The second pad I use is the Thermarest Neo Air Xtherm NXT sleeping pad. Now this is one of those pieces of gear that has a hefty price tag, but it has an R of 7.3. Those 3 pieces of gear together will keep you nice and warm from below.
Now for the sleeping bags. I use a combination of both down and synthetic sleeping bags. I have a 20-degree top quilt as well as a 15-degree marmot synthetic bag. I have used this sleep system in both tent and tarp camping throughout the winter months. I use this camping setup for myself and my kids. I have camped at -5 degrees Fahrenheit with this sleep setup. I always enjoy testing gear in the backyard or close to home to put it through its paces. I recommend going car camping for your first adventure in the winter months. You can bring extra wool blankets and warm layers to ensure you have a warm and safe night’s rest. Also, you can retreat to the car if necessary to warm up, and if you have to bail, your car is right there.
I know it’s cool to test your gear in colder temps, but closely follow the weather, use common sense, and always keep safety in mind. Some of the most memorable camping trips I have been on with my kids have been in the beautiful season of winter.
