Winter Camping Essentials

Introduction

Winter camping can be a rewarding experience, offering peaceful and stunning landscapes. But you will need more gear and preparation compared to summer trips.

This winter camping essentials guide will help you figure out what to pack and how to prepare. Keep in mind, that the exact gear you’ll need depends on factors like your transport method, personal preferences, and the weather conditions.

Equipment

Equipment for winter camping

Winter tent

A 4-season tent (also called all-season) is designed to handle harsh winter conditions. Tents made for winter tend to feature sturdy geodesic or semi-geodesic designs to best cope with strong winds, heavy rain, and snow loading. Thicker pole sections and burlier fabrics increase strength and durability. The flysheets provide full coverage, while the inner tents have solid fabric panels to reduce draughts. American tent brands sometimes rate their tents differently from what’s suitable for the UK climate. Unlike sleeping bags, tent season ratings don’t follow an industry standard.

Warm sleeping bag

For freezing temperatures, a 4-season sleeping bag is essential. If you’re camping in mild winter conditions, a 3 or 3+ season bag might be enough. Your choice depends on the temperature and whether you sleep warm or cold. Sleeping bag liners are a good way to boost performance - adding an extra layer of warmth and keeping your sleep bag clean.

Camping mat

A camping mat protects you from ground heat loss and provides essential cushioning and support. For winter camping, look for one with a high R-value (a measure of insulation), ideally 4 or above. Your sleeping comfort will be heavily reliant on your camping mat; the higher the R-value, the warmer you will be.

Stove and fuel

An enclosed burner stove is ideal for quickly boiling water, even in windy and cold conditions.

Head torch

A bright and reliable head torch is essential for winter nights. Look for an Ingress Protection (IP) rating to ensure it is weatherproof—IPX-6+ ensures protection from heavy rain and snow.

"When temperatures edge towards freezing, gas stoves and burners can become blocked with frozen fuel. Keeping your stove off the ground using the included stands and safely storing your gas towards the centre of your pack can help. MSR burners tend to perform well in low temperatures."

Joe Light, Ellis Brigham photographer

Clothing