How To Stay Warm When Camping Out

Do you always seem to end up shivering in your tent when you go camping?

Read on, this post is for you! We’ve got 13 brilliant tips to help you stay warm in your tent and we recommend some great camping gear to help you stay warm on your next camping trip. To stay warm I sleep on a padded carp fishing bed with fleece blankets on top and my Robens Crevasse II sleeping bag. I’ve camped in the UK in November before and trust me, it was cold. So cold in fact that I put the kettle on to make a coffee in the desperate hope of warming myself up. After 10 minutes I realised I was still waiting for the kettle to boil. I turned it off and checked the gas bottle, which was full. Back on it went and 5 minutes later, still nothing.

I popped my head out of the awning and asked a fellow camper if they had any idea why my kettle wouldn’t boil. I was cheerfully advised that with the temperature struggling to make it into single figures, the type of gas canister I was using, was simply too cold to work effectively and that I’d have to warm it up first. When you are already cold, a gas canister shoved under your armpit (the only part of me that wasn’t freezing cold at that point) isn’t my idea of fun.

Camping & Keeping Warm

Stay Warm Camping in Cold Weather

There are several different sleeping setups depending on whether I am camping on my own and for how long. For short camping trips You can use either a single Vango Comfort 10 SIM or if camping with my partner, we use the Outwell Dreamboat double SIM. Both SIMs are excellent quality and thick enough to provide just enough padding and insulation for a comfortable sleep whatever the weather. Always take a hot water bottle camping, I’d rather be too warm than too cold! You can also have a double camp bed and often use the Dreamboat SIM on top which makes it extra comfy, and Being raised off the ground is also helpful when sleeping in a tent if possible.

Essential Gear for Staying Warm on Solo Camping Trips

If your camping on my own and it’s a longer camping trip lasting several days however, I alwaus use my super comfy single carp fishing bed.
When it comes to sleeping bags, for years I was freezing at night when camping even with loads of extra layers and a duvet on top. But then we discovered the Robens Crevasse II sleeping bag. It’s a high-quality 3 season sleeping bag which is hands down the best I’ve ever used, and often keeps me so warm that I need to take layers off even when camping when it’s very cold (around zero degrees). When camping in warmer weather on my own, I switch to my Vango Harmony Deluxe sleeping bag.

When camping I always go for pyjamas. Fleece PJ’s aren’t stylish but they will keep you warm! When camping in winter, I also wear a zip-up hoody on top of my PJ’s, along with a thick pair of wool bed socks. When it comes to dressing for bed looking stylish isn’t top of my priority list, because frankly, I’d rather be warm!

My final essential for staying warm in bed, is a hot water bottle and I never go camping without taking one. Even in the middle of summer when you’re sat outdoors at night it’s easy to catch a chill and snuggling up with a hot water bottle is the ideal way to warm up fast, and besides, if it is hot enough not to need one, great, but the Girl Guide in me dictates that I should take one with me just in case!

Top 10 Tips

1. Don’t wait until you feel cold to layer up

As soon as the temperature starts to drop in the evening, grab an extra layer – don’t wait until you are already cold to layer up, by then it’s too late and will take you far longer to warm up again.

2. Thermals are big and clever

Thermals might conjour up images of your granny, but a decent set of long-johns or leggins and a long sleeve thermal top are an absolute must if you are camping in early spring, autumn or if you are insane, in the depths of winter.

3. Always pack a hot water bottle

Take a hot water bottle (and of course a stove and kettle), even if you don’t usually use one at home or think that April weather will be warm enough, take one anyway.

Alternatively, try something like the 3 season, 10 Tog Vango Radiate sleeping bag, part sleeping bag, part electric blanket and it runs from any USB power pack promising warmth in any weather!

4. Don’t go to bed cold

If you get into your sleeping bag cold, even with additional bedding, you are likely to stay cold. Before you get into bed, have a warm drink, have a brisk walk or run to the loo or just do some star jumps to bring your core temperature up a bit before snuggling down for the night.

5. Sleeping bag liners can help

Consider buying a silk a sleeping bag liner, these are said to add an extra ‘season’ of warmth, however the one I invested in ripped almost immediately. You might want to consider a fleece alternative, they’ll help to trap heat and won’t be quite as delicate as a silk liner.

6. Invest in down insulation

Remember that down insulation will keep you super toasty and warm, and it’s worth the investment if you plan to camp in cold weather, however there are lots of innovative synthetic sleeping bag fillings which are super effective at trapping heat, so do your research first.

7. Insulate your tent with a tent carpet or rugs

Use a fitted tent carpet and/or rugs on the floor of the tent; they act like an insulating layer and stop cold coming up through the floor. If you don’t have a fancy fitted tent carpet, picnic rugs and inexpensive rag rugs are also useful for insulation and mean if you do have to get out of bed in the night, you won’t be stepping onto a cold groundsheet.

8. Invest in some disposable heat packs

Disposable heat packs are really useful, make sure you have some with you whenever you camp as if you are really cold, popping a couple in either pocket of your hoody or sleeping bag can make a real difference.

9. Take extra blankets

Nighttime during the summer in the US can still often be cold – don’t assume that because it is July you’ll only need a sleeping bag, always take a few extra blankets just in case, especially if you have little people. Thick, fleecy thermal blankets can make a big difference on really cold nights.

10. Use the right kind of sleeping bag

Make sure you aren’t attempting to sleep in cold weather using a cheap sleeping bag or a bag that’s only meant for summer use
(check out the season rating, you’re looking for a 3 season bag). Remember too that a close fitting mummy bag is your best option
for keeping warm. Whilst taking a duvet and using that on top of a cheaper or less restrictive sleeping bag might be tempting,
it won’t keep you as warm as a technical sleeping bag designed to keep you warm.

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