Top 8 Cold Weather Essentials to Bring on Your Camping Trip This Winter

camping trip

Taking a camping trip has proven to do a lot of scientific good on the body: it lessens anxiety, creates a lasting sense of peace, and helps us unplug from stress.

Cold, winter camping trips have their own unique perks, but also their dangers.

In some camping locations, temperatures can drop to zero degrees and prove to be highly dangerous. However, keeping warm and packing all the right necessities allows campers to enjoy some of the most beautiful sights nature has to offer.

Besides all the regular camping complications, winter brings on hyperthermia and frostbite among other deadly effects. To keep warm you need a handy list of all the right essentials.

With that in mind, we’ll go into eight must-have items to bring along on your next winter camping trip.

Planning for the Winter Camping Trip: 8 Essential Items

A winter camping trip is challenging, and it’s not likely to be your first trip into the wilderness. Because we’ll assume you’ve camped at least once before, we’ll skip the basics like a tent, food, and water.

This list assumes that you have water and a well-equipped tent or a place to stay that will shelter you from the elements. Check out our list, and when you’re finished, refer back to this guide for more tips to make the most of your trip.

1. Weather-Resistant Hiking Boots

Mountain or wilderness terrain is tough enough on its own without the addition of ice and running water. Ice shelves have the potential to break away in the sun, as do bulks of snow that can cause campers to lose their footing.

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Before your trip, you’ll want to invest in a pair of quality, weather-resistant hiking boots that can tackle snowy backs and rocky terrain. Snow-filled landscapes can become melted, running streams that may damage normal boots.

Look for durable footwear with a layer of protection to repel the elements and keep your feet dry.

2. Trekking Jacket with Hood

Just like your boots, your jacket should be fit for an adventure into snowy, potentially-wet terrain. The outer layer should repel water (and snow), keeping you warm and dry underneath the entire trip.

A hood will also come in handy as it can buffer falling snow, rain, and the casual drip of melting ice from the trees above. The hood will also be a shield against much of the wind and cold.

If temperatures fluctuate throughout the day in your camping area, you may want to consider layered jackets. Certain products come with zipped layers that help people adjust to changing weather situations with one piece of clothing.

3. An Insulated Sleeping Bag

You’ll need an insulated sleeping bag on your trip to keep warm at night, but which insulation options are the best for winter? Two of the most popular are down insulation and synthetic insulation, and each has its pros and cons.

Sleeping bags with down insulation are durable and long-lasting. Plus, they’re very light. Their material allows them to fold up tightly when packed and still provide warmth and support when unfolded, but things go sour if they get wet.

Synthetic insulation dries a lot quicker than down in the event of water. They’re also non-allergenic, which may be the ultimate deciding factor between the two. Other than that, synthetic tends to be cheaper but doesn’t pack as compactly.

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4. Thermal Layers

Jackets and external wear are great to repel the elements and keep you warm, but you’ll notice in winter that the wind finds a way in. To help you maintain your body temperature, invest in thermal clothes.

You can layer thermal shirts and pants under regular camping gear to serve as an extra insulation for your body heat. Major department stores around the country and retailers like Walmart sell a variety of thermal wear in the fall and winter.

5. Fleece or Wool Pants

Snow and water-resistant external wear aside, you’ll need something either to layer between your thermals and pants, or something to sleep in. A sleeping bag is warm, but take no risks in winter weather.

Invest in fleece or wool pants as they’re both comfortable options that insulate really well. They may be harder to find than cotton unless you try coat factories and winter clothes retailers that specialize in camping attire.

6. Gloves or Mittens

Chances are, you’ll have your hands more often out of your pockets during your camping trip than in them.

Just imagine a hike through the wooded hillsides of the Eastern Sierras: there are obstacles to climb, foliage to move aside, ice and snow to handle, and plenty of cold weather to bite at your skin, potentially damaging it.

Instead of suffering frostbite and permanent skin damage, buy a quality pair of insulated gloves or thick mittens. You’ll want to find something with flexible fingers, too, so you won’t have to keep taking them off for menial tasks.

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7. Scarf

When you’re on a winter camping trip, the general rule of thumb should be the more layers, the better. Try to keep all areas of your skin covered at all times to limit any harm done by the elements.

A scarf is an excellent way to keep your neck warm and trap all that heat traveling around the veins and arteries. Scarfs are especially useful around the face where they can cover the mouth and nose while keeping the eyes exposed.

8. Plenty of Socks

If your camping trip takes you into the snow, chances are your socks will get wet. That’s a no-brainer. Climbing snow banks may shuffle ice around, causing it and snow to tumble down into your boots and melt.

There may not always be a fire to dry your socks out. Keep a few pairs handy, and consider investing in at least a separate hiking pair and a sleeping pair.

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Now that you’re more prepared for your next winter camping trip, start looking into spring and summer camping options. Our landscapes have a way of transforming into something nearly-unrecognizable during the change of the seasons.

And when you’re ready to take the trip, head on over to travel hacks blog to get more traveling info from the professionals!