Whether you're a survivalist, angler, hunter, or an adventurer who doesn't want to give up the thrills of hiking in the winter wonderland, learning how to insulate a tent for winter camping is paramount.
From choosing the right tent to learning tips and tricks that will protect you from frost bites, there are quite a few things to consider.
You needn't worry, though. Read our quick guide to learn how to insulate your shelter properly when camping in cold climates.
Buy a 4 Seasons Insulated Tent
The first step to safe and secure camping in winter is choosing a proper tent. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the shelter is, the easier it is to keep it warm - but this doesn't mean that you can't find large tents, too.
If you plan to drive to your campsite, a good choice of 4-season tent is the Russian-Bear Hot Tent. While its price might put off a few people, this tent actually comes with a stove and several layers of insulation that can keep you warm even when camping in arctic environments.
Tents such as the Snugpack Cave could be a great choice when there is also some walking involved. Definitely lighter than the Hot Tent, this kind of tent still provides the insulation you need for safe camping in winter.
Clear the Ground First
Choosing the campsite for winter camping is not so different from choosing one when camping in summer. You should be close enough to water, but not too close, and the campsite should be flat and ideally sheltered from wind. Before pitching your tent, clear it of any snow.
Not only snow might melt under the tent, leaving you sleeping in a puddle, but water might also refreeze when you're out there exploring the surroundings, forming uncomfortable bumps.
Create a Windbreak
If you're exploring a prairie during winter and can't find any suitable campsite that is naturally sheltered from the wind, it is essential to create a windbreak before pitching your shelter.
Hopefully, you should have plenty of snow around to build a wall a few feet in front of your tent, to minimize heat loss.
If snow lacks, simply replace it with rocks or piles of vegetal material such as branches or dead leaves.
Use a Ground Tarp for Tent
Using a tent footprint whenever camping in cold climate is crucial. A ground tarp creates an extra layer of insulation between your shelter and the frosted ground, reducing heat loss at floor level.
Furthermore, the footprint can also enhance the water resistance if it rains. The only thing to keep in mind is that the tarp should be slightly smaller than the tent.
Camping Panda Recommends Best Camping Tarps:
Place a Rain Fly Over Your Tent
A rainfly placed above your tent can also add an extra layer of insulation. A thick tarp can keep dew, rain, and snow out while trapping in warmth. For the best results, you should pick a large tarp that covers the entire tent.
Insulate a Tent with Floor Blankets
In a tent, most heat loss happens at floor level. So, it only makes sense to add as many layers of insulation as possible.
While there are many options to choose from, an aluminum or double-sided fleece blanket are your best bets.
For instance, the Aneil Aluminum Foil Mat is not only comfortable, but the reflective outer layer traps body heat, keeping you warmer.
Likewise, the Lightspeed Outdoors Camp Blanket comes with a fleece side you can sleep on and a waterproof side that can adds an extra level of waterproofness to the tent's floor.
Use Water Packs
Hot water packs are one of the easiest, most effective methods you can use to stay warm in a tent. If you want to avoid boiling water to fill the bottle every night, simply invest in hot packs designed to provide instant heat whenever you need it.
Keep Your Wet Things out of the Tent
Sweat and snow can easily soak your clothes and hiking equipment when exploring the outdoors in winter. Keeping wet clothes in the tent could dry them quicker, but the moist evaporated from your garments will also speed up heat loss.
For this reason, you should keep your wet clothes out of the tent; preferably, you should hang them on a rope and let them air dry near a camp fire.
Use a Tent Heater for Camping
Carrying a space heater may be inconvenient sometimes, but as long as you can drive to your campsite, using a tent heater is one of the easiest ways to stay warm on the colder nights.
Since operating an electric space heater when camping could be a hassle, you could simply opt for an indoor-safe propane heater, such as the Mr. Heater Buddy.
Best Portable Gas Heaters
Dress for Occasion
There is a common misconception that sleeping naked in a sleeping bag will keep you warmer than sleeping with clothes on.
However, the truth is that the more layers of air you can create between your body and the environment, the warmer you'll stay.
So, for a warm night, invest in proper outdoor wear. Neoprene and fleece are two materials that'll keep you warm, but make sure any garments you wear are also breathable.
Also wear thick, wool socks as well as a wool hat or cap to prevent heat loss at the extremities of your body.
When camping in temperatures way below zero, a pair of wool mitts could also improve your overall sleeping experience.
Camping Panda Recommends Best Cold Season Gear:
Have Warm Sleeping Bag
To stay warm and ensure yourself a sound sleep, invest in a sleeping bag rated for the lowest temperature you can expect while camping. As for the shape, a mummy style bag is definitely your best choice.
Camping Panda Recommends Best Sleeping Bags:
What is the Best Gear for Tent Insulation?
Besides all the above, you can also invest in thermal blankets, heavy-duty tarps, and even nylon sheets that can add extra layers of insulation and weather protection to your shelter.
An essential item that is often overlooked when camping in winter is insulation tape, that can help you fix tarps, insulated blankets, and plastic sheets to your shelter.
Camping Panda Recommends Best Insulated Blankets:
FAQ
Yes, as long as the tent is fully waterproof and insulated. If you plan to live in a tent in winter, know that a dome style tent usually resists wind and elements better than a cabin tent.
The Russian-Bear Hot Tent is one of the best tents for winter camping. This tent boasts a double wall, thick, extra-waterproof floor, small windows, and comes with a built-in stove. A roomy interior lets you move around and provides sufficient space for a cot, so you won't have to sleep directly on the floor.
As long as you're an expert using proper gear and an insulated 4-season shelter, you can sleep in a tent even in arctic conditions. If you're inexperienced and only have amateur gear, though, 30°F and below is too cold for sleeping in a tent.