How To Stay Warm Camping In A Tent (Camping Tips)


How To Stay Warm Camping In A Tent (Camping Tips)

If you’re planning on camping somewhere this year, you’ll be thinking about all the things you need to take. One of the key things that might cross your mind is warmth at night, especially if you’re someone who feels the cold. So, we’re going to look at how to stay warm camping in a tent: camping tips.

There are quite a few clever tricks you can use to keep yourself warm in a tent. One of the best ones is to put insulation under your bed. A lot of heat is lost into the ground. Hot water bottles are also portable, light, and great for warming yourself up. Staying dry and pitching your camp somewhere sheltered are further good tricks for staying cozy.

How To Stay Warm Camping In A Tent

Tip One: The Right Size Weatherproof Tent

First things first: your tent needs to be weatherproof. That means waterproof and windproof. Do not go camping in cold conditions without a good tent that will protect you from the elements. You want a high-quality one that will keep you dry and won’t let every gust cut through you.

Size matters too. If you’re going camping solo, or even in a pair, avoid taking a tent that is designed for ten people. You’ll have more space for your belongings, but it will be very hard to keep that space warm with just the two of you.

Tents are an important part of staying insulated. Taking one that is approximately the right size for the number of people is key.

Tip Two: A Great Sleeping Bag

The same goes for your sleeping bag. Buy one that is the right size for you, and don’t camp in a monster sleeping bag. Smaller equals snugger, and will keep the heat in more effectively.

It’s important to invest in a high-quality sleeping bag, as well. Sleeping bags come with many different ratings, so take your time choosing. Get one that is for a warmer season than you expect to need. You can always unzip it if you end up too hot!

It’s worth spending money to ensure you have one that will keep you warm throughout camping trips. Nothing ruins camping faster than cold, miserable, sleepless nights, so don’t skimp on the sleeping bag.

Tip Three: A High-Quality Sleeping Mat

Layer up your bed; each layer will trap a pocket of air that will help to reduce heat loss. It is important to do this underneath you in particular.

You might think that piling the blankets on top is the best way to stay snug because heat rises. However, the ground will be a major source of cold and will pull warmth away from your body all night long.

You should always have a good insulating layer underneath you. A high-quality sleeping mat will be the best option. There are many good brands on the market that will make a big difference to your warmth at night. Alternatively, a picnic blanket or survival blanket can work well.

If you don’t have any of those things, you can use a sheet of cardboard. Cardboard has surprisingly good insulating properties and is also comfortable to lie on.

You can also use rugs and blankets if you prefer. As long as there is plenty to stop the heat from going down, you’ll be warmer, and you can then focus on the top layers.

You might think an air mattress is a good insulating layer, but it isn’t great. It may be warmer to lie on than the ground, but it isn’t warm. Air mattresses are the same temperature as the air around them, so again, it will be leaching your heat. You can use one, but you’ll have to put layers between it and your body.

If you have a good sleeping bag, be wary of piling too much on top of yourself. Doing so can squash the air out of the sleeping bag and stop it from insulating you so effectively. If you do decide to use lots of blankets, fluff your bed up before climb in. This will puff air back into the various layers. It should be done each night.

Tip Four: Not Too Many Layers

If you have a good sleeping bag, be wary of piling too much on top of yourself. Doing so can squash the air out of the sleeping bag and stop it from insulating you so effectively.

If you do decide to use lots of blankets, fluff your bed up before climb in. This will puff air back into the various layers. It should be done each night.

Tip Five: Suitable Clothes

Always pack at least one more set of warm clothes than you think you will need. You won’t be sorry. You may not need them every trip, but you will be extremely glad of them on some.

This is particularly true of socks. Having wet feet is the worst, and can make you very chilled. Have an extra pair of woolly socks reserved for bedtime that never gets taken out of the tent. These will always be dry and nice to slip your feet into.

Thermal clothing is also good if you have some, particularly thermal underwear, as this will trap heat right by your skin. If you don’t have any, you can still choose suitable clothing. Lots of thin layers are more effective than two or three heavy ones.

Choose moisture-wicking fabrics to wear besides your skin so that sweat is pulled away from your body and doesn’t cool your blood. Wool and silk are good options, but cotton tends to hold onto moisture.

Have a dedicated set of clothes for bedtime so they’ll be bone dry when you slip them on.

Tip Six: Hot Water Bottle

Next on our list of how to stay warm camping in a tent: camping tips is the humble hot water bottle.

If you have poor circulation, you might struggle to get warm even with the above tips. A hot water bottle is an ideal solution. They are light and easy to pack, but provide a steady source of heat throughout the night.

They are also great for emergencies and take up less space than extra blankets. Make sure you get one with a good cork so it can’t leak. Put it in your sleeping bag a bit before bedtime to ensure a cozy nest awaits you.

Tip Seven: Get Rid Of Moisture

When you get up in the morning, you’re likely to find that both your tent and your sleeping bag are slightly damp. There is a lot of moisture in a person’s breath, and you can perspire even when cold. This moisture has nowhere to go in a waterproof tent.

You should open the doors (unless it’s raining) to let this dampness escape. The inside of the tent will dry, and it will be warmer come evening.

Do the same for your sleeping bag and sleepwear. Unzip and fold your sleeping bag back so that the moisture inside has a chance to escape. If it’s sunny, consider hanging your sleeping gear outside to air and dry. Don’t let it get caught by sudden rain, though!

Tip Eight: Go To Bed Warm

This may sound easier said than done if you’re on a chilly trip. However, it’s much easier to get warm while you’re up than when you’re lying down. Do something active before bed if you’re cold – a few jumps, a lap, or two of the campground.

A big meal rich in calories may help too, giving your body fuel to burn. Eat well before bed, and then douse your fire and settle down quickly. Having a hot drink is also a good way to raise your temperature. You can snuggle into bed with a mug and get warmed through before you lie down for the night.

Summary

Hopefully, you enjoyed our ideas about how to stay warm camping in a tent: camping tips. Don’t suffer through cold nights. Layer up your bed, insulate yourself, and get warm before you settle down. These simple tricks can make all the difference!

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