Some of my most beautiful camping memories are of frosty mornings, with the sun burning the mist off the fields and a hot mug of tea in my hands. Autumn and spring camping in the UK can be absolutely magical, but you have to be prepared for the cold. Being cold at night is the fastest way to have a miserable trip, and it is almost always preventable.
Over the years, I have learned that staying warm is not just about having the thickest sleeping bag. It is a system of different things working together. Here are my top ten tried and tested tips, learned from many chilly nights of family camping, that will keep you toasty and comfortable, in the winter weather
1. Insulate From The Ground Up
This is the most important rule of warm camping. The cold, damp ground will suck the heat right out of your body. Your number one priority is to insulate yourself from it. A good sleeping mat is far more important than a good sleeping bag for warmth. Look for a mat with a high "R value", which is a measure of its thermal resistance. Anything with an R value of 4 or more is great for cold weather camping.
My Comfort Tip
Add a Tent Carpet
"For car camping, a dedicated universal tent carpet adds a huge boost of underfoot comfort and, crucially, another layer of insulation from the cold ground. It really makes a tent feel like a home. This is the best universal tent carpet. If not then search for your type of tent and add carpet to the end of the search"
Browse Tent Carpets on Amazon2. Layer Your Clothing (Even in Bed)
Do not go to sleep in your day clothes, as they will hold moisture. Change into a dedicated set of dry sleepwear. The best approach is to use layers. A thermal base layer, a fleece jumper, and thick socks will keep you much warmer than a single bulky item. And always wear a warm hat. You lose a huge amount of heat through your head.
3. The Old Fashioned Hot Water Bottle
This is a classic for a reason. Boiling the kettle before bed and filling up a hot water bottle is a brilliant way to preheat your sleeping bag. I kick mine down to the bottom of the bag to warm my feet up, and it makes a huge difference. It is a little slice of home comfort and warmth that works wonders on any camping trip.
My Warmth Hack
Use a Sleeping Bag Liner
"A sleeping bag liner is a brilliant and affordable way to boost the warmth of your existing sleeping bag. A fleece or thermal liner can add several degrees of warmth, and it also helps to keep your main bag clean. Great for the winter weather."
Browse Sleeping Bag Liners on Amazon4. Eat a Hot Meal Before Bed
Your body is a furnace, and it needs fuel to generate heat. Going to bed hungry is a recipe for a cold night. Have a good, hot meal in the evening and a warm, non caffeinated drink like hot chocolate. This gives your body the fuel it needs to stay warm throughout the night and is a lovely part of the camping experience.
5. Use a Smaller Tent if Possible
A huge family tent with lots of empty space is much harder for your body heat to warm up. If you are camping solo or as a couple in the colder months, using a smaller, more compact tent will create a much cosier microclimate inside. Less air to heat means a warmer night of camping.
6. Don't Bury Your Head in Your Sleeping Bag
It feels instinctive to hide your head inside your bag when it is cold, but it is a bad idea. The moisture from your breath will get trapped in the sleeping bag's insulation, making it damp and much less effective. Keep your nose and mouth out in the fresh air, and wear a warm hat instead.
7. Go to the Toilet Before You Go to Sleep
I know, getting out of a warm tent to go to the toilet in the cold is the worst part of camping. But trust me, it is worth it. Your body uses a surprising amount of energy to keep a full bladder warm. Emptying it before you settle down for the night means your body can use that energy to keep the rest of you warm instead.
8. Ventilate Your Tent
It sounds counterintuitive, but a small amount of ventilation is crucial for staying warm. As you breathe, you release moisture. In a sealed tent, this moisture condenses on the inner walls, making the air feel damp and cold. Opening a small ventilation flap allows this moist air to escape, keeping the inside of your tent drier and therefore warmer.
9. Shake Out Your Sleeping Bag
Before you get into it, give your sleeping bag a really good shake. This helps to fluff up the insulation (whether it is down or synthetic) and allows it to trap more air. Trapped air is what keeps you warm, so a well lofted sleeping bag will always perform better.
10. Do Some Star Jumps Before Bed
Do not get into your sleeping bag when you are already cold. Your bag works by trapping your body heat, so you need to be warm to begin with. Just before you get into the tent for the night, do a minute of light exercise like star jumps or jogging on the spot. It will raise your heart rate and get your internal furnace going, giving your sleeping bag plenty of heat to trap.
