How to stay warm while cold weather camping

Summer shouldn’t be the only time of year when people grab their tents and head out into the wild, because the winter months can be just as beautiful and an important time of year to practice for anyone looking to master their bushcraft skills. The biggest problem with doing this is obviously the cold, especially first thing in the morning after waking up. Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there to help you stay warm on those snowy camping trips.

Tent with a stove

These aren’t practical if you’re going hiking as the stoves can be bulky and weigh a lot, but for a static camping trip, they are a warm and fun option. The tents they go in are just the same as any other, except they have an opening surrounded by heat-resistant material that stops the canvas from setting on fire from the chimney’s heat. They weigh from 1.5 kg up to 7 or 8 kg for the bigger ones, but apart from keeping you warm, they provide a fun way to cook food and make hot drinks.

(Stoves generally range between £50 and £300, depending on size and quality)

Flameless ration heaters

These are made up of a small plastic bag with a piece of tissue inside that is covered with a chemical that reacts with water to create heat. They are normally used as the heating element inside field ration packs for the military but can be bought separately. They have the ability to make a very hot drink in several minutes and fold down to a tiny size until needed. They aren’t practical for heating water in your tent instead of a proper stove, but can provide a hot drink while on walks to raise your core body temperature when making a fire isn’t an option.

(You will need something that can fit inside the bag to heat it, like a drinks bag or a thin metal water bottle)

Thermal ground mats

You will lose body heat through the ground much faster than the air, and what you sleep on counts for a lot when the ground is frozen. Having a proper ground mat can make the difference between a good night’s sleep and waking up several times shivering.

Heat pads

These are air-activated pads that create heat when the protective layer has been removed. They don’t get very hot but can create a noticeable amount of warmth and normally come with a sticky side, so you can keep them in the same place. They won’t really make you warm if you’re in trouble, but can be useful to stick onto your socks or a part of your lower body, so the heat is contained with the sleeping bag.

(Cheap and fast to heat up, but they don’t create a huge amount of heat and should be treated as a heat boost instead of something permanent)

Large hot liquid meals

When you consume any kind of liquid, it covers a much higher surface area of your insides when it passes into your stomach than pieces of food would. Consuming hot liquids is highly effective at raising your core temperature, and a hot liquid meal just before bed can make all the difference to your comfort.

Watch the entrance

Make sure that when you pitch your tent, the entrance isn’t facing the direction of the wind. It only takes a few seconds for the wind to make a complete air change of the inside of your tent, and having to reset to outside air temperatures every time someone goes in or out can be annoying, and cold.

Take off clothing if it’s warm enough

During your downtime inside the tent, take off any outer heavy clothing like your jacket as soon as you can. If it’s warm enough to do so, take something off and your body will get used to the current temperature, then when it comes to needing to get warm again or leaving the tent, you have the option of an additional warmth layer. If you don’t let your body get used to the lower temperature inside the tent, then you won’t benefit from the warmth boost of putting something back on.

Be careful not to get wet or sweaty

Getting wet in arctic conditions is very dangerous, and letting water freeze inside your clothing is one of the best ways to get hypothermia. Make sure to take the time to dry off as best you can, and don’t let sweat linger inside your clothing, even if it feels comfortable at the time. After a physical activity, your body temperature will start to fall back to normal and when this happens, moisture inside your clothing will cause you to lose heat at an accelerated pace.