Even if you never went on winter camping, you know that in winter it is quite cold outside. That is why wearing warm clothes for winter camping is crucial. Read more about how to dress for winter camping in this article.
Basic rules for how to dress for winter camping
If you wonder, how to dress for winter camping, then before choosing products you need to read the basic requirements. You cannot wear what was found in the closet and move on the road.
Many believe that multi-layer helps to fight the cold.
However, it is important to understand that several other factors should also be taken into account. Further, it is described in detail what to pay attention to when selecting clothing for winter camping and cold weather.
The choice of material for clothes for winter camping
As you know, not all materials help you protect yourself from severe frost. You should have several layers of clothing, each of which is made of certain materials. The best option is clothes made of natural wool.
Selection of size
Some tourists say that even when wearing warm socks and gloves of the limbs, they were very cold. This is because blood flow in cramped clothes is limited. As you know, it is the blood that spreads heat throughout the body. If you wear tight clothes, your arms, and legs freeze.
The main purpose of clothing is the safety of heat, not its provision. If part of the body freezes due to poor blood circulation, clothing is not able to maintain heat. Even if you wear several layers. Try to exclude tight clothes from your wardrobe for winter camping.
Temperature adjustment
Often, people cannot understand how the temperature is adjusted. If it is hot inside, a large number of layers of clothing can provoke cold. The body should maintain the optimum temperature. If the clothes do not warm you, then you feel cold.
If the clothes warm you, you experience the heat. The body naturally regulates heat and you sweat. After the sweat cool on the skin, you begin to freeze.
It is important to understand in advance how many layers are optimal for you. As soon as the body begins to overheat, the unnecessary level of clothing needs to be dropped.
The weight of the clothing
It is also important to consider how much clothing weighs. Heavy multi-layer clothing is not always warm. It is worth noting that you have to wear clothes for a long time. The heavier its weight, the more difficult it is to walk. You will likely sweat.
What to put on winter camping?
After studying various factors, you can start choosing the best options for cold weather camping. More about this I describe later.
Hat and wool
You must understand that while winter camping, you need to protect the head. This helps not only warm your head and ears but the whole body. You can freeze if the heat is lost over the head. Even if you wear many layers of clothing, you will still freeze.
Often, people have redness on their nose, ears, and cheeks. After all, these areas may not be closed completely, or completely open. It is not necessary to completely wrap your head if you plan to stay in a car or a tent.
It is enough to put on a scarf, a hat, and wool leggings.
If you plan to go out, you should completely cover your face. Be sure to stock up on balaclava and goggles. This prevents the formation of blisters from frostbite.
To prevent heat loss with the whole body, it is recommended to choose ear bars. Some people cannot cover their whole face and neck, even if there are severe frosts outside. However, going on winter camping, it is necessary to wear a special mask. This protects the skin from severe frosts and creates body comfort.
Woolen socks and down booties for cold weather
If you go winter camping, you need to make sure that your feet stay warm. This is because human limbs are distinguished by poor blood circulation, so they do not get enough heat.
First, you need to choose high-quality socks that remove moisture from the body. Therefore, this is an excellent addition to the base layer, which has already been mentioned earlier. The best option is Merino wool socks.
If you did not take shoes with you to the campsite that does not get wet, you need to put on a package made of polyethylene on top of the socks. This guarantees the fact that the water does not seep through the shoes, and the legs do not get wet. Indeed, because of wet feet, it is inconvenient to be on camping further.
This is the best option if you go to the deep snow area, where the snowdrifts are higher than the ankle. You can additionally purchase down boots.
They are best combined with loose socks made of wool. This provides optimal comfort, and you can travel further.
You can wear such socks even before bedtime if you plan to sleep in a sleeping bag. If there are too cold temperatures, the best option is models made of goose or duck down. It is better if they have a nylon layer. If the tent is not insulated, such models help to stay warm up additionally.
You can additionally use the insoles in the boots. Choose options from polyester. If you combine them with woolen socks, you can better retain body heat.
Boot lining
Such insoles are the middle layer and help to warm the legs if the temperature on the street is low. Woolen options help stay warm up; however, they are not suitable for direct contact with the skin.
This is because such options provoke itching. In addition, when getting wet, they dry for a long time. It is better to find options from synthetic materials that absorb moisture less and dry quickly.
Selection of shoes
If you are planning a campaign for the time when snowfalls are expected, choose winter hiking boots.
If the snowdrifts are high, winter boots do not warm the legs. That is why you should dwell on the options that are designed for climbers. They do not get wet and are well-isolated in heat. Therefore, you can comfortably stay on vacation. It is important that in slippery conditions a reliable clutch is provided.
It is much easier to maintain dryness and heat if cold temperatures are outside. If the road is slippery, put on the leggings on top of the boots.
Wool gloves to protect hands
As you know, hands also need to be protected from the cold. The fingertips are much faster because they are at a distance from the heart and in direct contact with cold air.
The best option is gloves from wool or polyester.
The assortment of Outliners has excellent models made of polyester. They absorb moisture and can work even when contacting touch phones. Therefore, you can use your phone without removing gloves.
Arc’teryx has good models. It is better to dwell on the Alpha SV series. Their cost is slightly more expensive, compared to classic options. However, they preserve heat better.
How many layers of clothing should be there?
A large number of layers maintain air so that the body can warm up. However, the more clothes you put on, the harder it goes. It is important to optimize everything so that the winter camping gear is comfortable and warm. However, you do not move due to the heavy weight.
Many are wondering, how many layers do I need for winter camping? The minimum number of layers for cold weather is three. This is enough for a comfortable rest. Less than three layers for winter camping are prohibited. There should be three layers in total: the inner layer, middle layer, and outer layer. More about them, you can read later.
Inner layer: base
The main purpose of the base layer is to remove moisture from the body. This helps to avoid the feeling of cold if the body begins to sweat. The base layer is considered the most important, so you consciously need to approach the choice of material. The right winter camping gear saves the body warmth.
It is recommended to choose thermal underwear made of wool or synthetics for the inner layer. Stop the choice of sets that consist of a long sleeve and pants.
Wool and synthetic materials contribute to the absorption of moisture, so they take the entire sweat. If the moisture does not evaporate, you risk experiencing severe cold due to high humidity.
The worst material for thermal underwear is cotton. It has high thermal conductivity, so moisture is not absorbed.
Middle layer
The middle layer is designed to preserve heat. This helps you feel comfortable during winter camping. This layer should differ in low thermal conductivity. The best option is sweaters made of Merino wool or a pile jacket.
Choose clothes for the middle layer that have many closable air pockets. Try to opt for products that are made of wool or polyester. This is because these fabrics have optimal features to save body heat. For the middle layer, you need to choose materials that reliably warm you during the trip.
Thermal conductivity parameters of common materials
All materials have unique thermal conductivity, namely:
- cotton – 0.243 W/MK;
- wool – 0.165 W/MK;
- nylon – 0.171 W/MK;
- polyester – 0.157 W/MK.
The only minus of the wool sweater is that when getting wet, it increases in weight. Therefore, you can feel discomfort during your cold weather camping. In particular, if there is no source where you can dry the sweater.
That is why, instead of a Merino wool sweater, it is better to choose a fleece jacket. This material differs well in moisture. At the same time, it dries quickly.
The outer layer
The main purpose of the outer layer is to protect from the wind and create a waterproof coating. The inside of the outer layer should be warm. It is better to select an outer clothing layer that is resistant to moisture.
The outer layer should have DWR processing. After all, the outer layer protects you from snow and rain during your winter camping.
Control list of clothing for winter camping
If you go winter camping trip, adhere to such cold-weather camping gear:
- For the basic upper layer that prevents moisture, you should choose products from the merinos.
- For the basic inner layer, which allows removing moisture from the body; it is better to choose products made of merinos.
- For the middle layer that is designed to preserve heat, you need to pay attention to the Arc’teryx Delta.
- For the outer upper layer that protects from wind and rain, you need to choose a hot-do.
- It is important to take dense trousers that retain body heat and protect from wind and rainy cold weather.
- For the neck, for blocking cold and wind, select a strong headdress.
- It is important to have a hat made of wool, which blocks the wind and cold.
- Woolen socks remove moisture and save feet warm.
- Booties from fluff help maintain heat.
- The boots help maintain heat.
- Sunny glasses. This is a great option that protects the eyes from snow and sunlight.
- Swimming glasses also help protect your eyes.
- The gloves keep the hands in warmth.
FAQ
During the planning of the winter campsite, many questions arise regarding the ammunition. Detailed answers to some questions are presented further.
How cold is too cold for winter camping?
If the temperature is in the range of 50-65℉, winter camping is comfortable. If the temperature drops below 35℉, it is very cold weather and you need special winter camping gear and knowledge to stay warm and safe.
How do you keep warm in winter camping?
There are some tips for winter camping. You should dress in layers, and get rid of sweaty clothes. It is better to take several rugs for sleeping with you.
One sleeping bag may not be enough, so it is better to additionally take a blanket.
It is better to put a heating pad in the center, not on the legs. Going to bed, put on a balaclava. Do not forget to ventilate the tent, and try to eat and drink a lot.
What should you not wear while camping?
Do not put jeans fabric because they do not protect from the cold, and retain moisture. Therefore, you will freeze.
What is the thinnest warmest material?
The warmest and lightest material is considered to be an airgel. It is almost 96% of the air. Therefore, a 0.15-inch airgel helps you notice a 1.5-inch down jacket.
Summary
As you can see, a lot of clothes are required for the winter campsite. The materials must be of high quality, and keep warm. Remember the need for at least three layers, if you want to be warm and not catch a cold.
Your Turn
What is your experience of winter camping? Do you have your favorite clothing that you always put on while winter camping?
My name is Olivia Kellison. I have been camping with friends and on my own for a long time. For me, camping is a great way to escape everyday life’s chaos. I started this blog because I have always had a passion for the great outdoors, and here I am gladly sharing what I know with other outdoor enthusiasts. It does not matter whether you are an experienced adventurer, or just planning your first trip, my blog will be of great help to you.