Important Gear to Bring when Camping in Cold Weather
The weather has started to become colder, but camping season is not over. If anything, many find camping during cold season better as they do not have to deal with the usual summer crowd. However, camping in cold weather does require more planning. Under prep and you would find your holiday turning unpleasant and even dangerous.
With that in mind, we have come up with a list of important camping gear for the cold weather. It is not going to be your usual camping checklist. Some of these items may not be the first things you think about when packing. Nevertheless, these items can help ensure your safety and comfort. Ready? Let’s start!
- Dome-shaped tent – Needless to say, choosing the right type of shelter is important. Do not skimp on quality and opt for a four/five-season, dome shaped tent. Dome or tunnel shaped tents are designed to keep heat in better.
- Mummy-shaped sleeping bags – These are also called envelope folding sleeping bags and offer better insulation than traditional, rectangle ones. Sleeping bags need to have a temperature rating of 0º Fahrenheit (-17º Celsius). Choose down-filled bags for insulation and of course, do not forget to use sleeping bag liners.
- Ziplock bags – Yes, Ziplock bags. The biggest challenge when camping in cold weather is keeping things dry. Ziplock bags are great at keeping moisture away, and these bags are clear so you can easily see what’s inside them. Ziplock bags are available in various sizes so you can keep items like snacks, gadgets, toilet paper, matches and extra batteries dry throughout your trip.
- Drybags – A drybag is a type of flexible container that you can seal up. Keeping clothes in a drybag ensures that you can change into dry and warm clothes should you get soaked by rain or snow. Drybags are available in various sizes (2 – 30 Litres) and colours, to fit your needs.
- Duct tape – The uses of duct tape in a camping setting is endless. You can patch holes in tents or fix tears on sleeping bags, which is important in keeping you warm.
- Flashlights – If you have been camping long enough, you know how dark the outdoors can be. And because you cannot rely on having a full moon every night, make sure you pack enough lighting gear. Choose lightweight torches that you can easily pick up and take with you wherever you go.
- Shovel –A shovel can be helpful when you are setting up your tent, setting up your campfire site, cracking fire logs, clearing your campsite, and more. Bring a compact shovel with foldable handles so you won’t have problems packing it with the rest of your gear.
- Winter boots – Believe it or not, the pair of boots you wear during your summer hikes just won’t cut it when you go camping in cold weather. Winter boots are designed to hold its grip in wet and slippery surfaces and are great at keeping your feet warm and dry.
- First Aid Kit – Get a kit that includes antibiotics and antibacterial wipes to help prevent infection should you get cuts and bruises during your trip. All medications included in the kit must be up to date. Double up on prescription medications, if you have any.
- Liquid Fuel Stoves – Traditional butane camping stoves are not ideal for camping in cold weather. Butane freezes up, rendering it useless in extremely cold weather. Choose a liquid fuel stove as this run on white gas and perform well even in windy conditions.
Hopefully the list above can help prepare you for your upcoming winter camping trip. Have fun and stay safe, fellow traveller!
Author Bio
When she is not road tripping around Australia and writing about, Nicole Anderson enjoys spending afternoons relaxing in her own inflatable spa, with a glass of wine in one hand, and the TV remote in another. She is a travel writer by day and part mermaid (who loves therapeutic portable hot tubs) by night.