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Best Sellers: Camping Mattress
Last update on 2026-02-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Choose the Right Location
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- Weather Forecast Before you go camping, always check the weather forecast. This can help inform your choice of campsite, which clothing to wear, and which gear to pack to stay warm.
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- Wind Shelters Wind can significantly reduce the perceived temperature. Choose a campsite which is nestled among trees or while is next to a natural windbreak like a hill or a rock formation.
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- Avoid Cold Spots Cold air settles in low-lying areas while warm air rises. Choose a campsite which is slightly elevated to avoid cold spots.
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- Sun Exposure: Consider the direction of the sunrise and choose a campsite which receives some morning sun. This will help dry out camping gear and will help keep your tent warm throughout the day.
Insulate Under Your Air Mattress
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- Foam Pads Closed-cell foam pads are a great choice. They are lightweight and offer an affordable insulation option. Make sure they have a thickness of at least ½ inch (1.3cm) if you are camping in colder climates.
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- Inflatable Camping Mats If you have space to carry one, an inflatable camping mat gives you even more insulation than a foam pad. I always keep on of these in my car as they are a little too bulky to carry with me when I’m on foot.
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- Blankets If you don’t have a purpose-made mat, you can always use a thick wool or fleece blanket to give you an extra layer of insulation. It’s a low-tech solutions, but it worked for our ancestors!
Use a Quality Sleeping Bag
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- Temperature Rating Every sleeping bag should have a temperature rating which indicates its warmth level. Make sure you pick a sleeping bag with a rating that matches the environment you are camping in.
| Warmth Rating | Temperature Range (°F) | Temperature Range (°C) | Description |
| Summer | Above 32°F | Above 0°C | Suitable for warm weather camping. |
| 3-Season | 20°F to 32°F | -6°C to 0°C | Versatile for spring, summer, and fall camping. |
| Winter | 0°F to 20°F | -18°C to -6°C | Designed for cold weather and mild winter conditions. |
| Extreme Winter | Below 0°F | Below -18°C | Suitable for extreme cold and winter expeditions. |
| Alpine/Expedition | Below -20°F | Below -29°C | Designed for high-altitude mountaineering and polar expeditions. |
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- Down vs. Synthetic Down is the most effective material for warmth-to-weight ratio, but it is absorbent and is less effective when wet. Synthetic bags are heavier but also perform better in damp camping conditions.
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- Proper Closure Using your sleeping bag’s hood and cinch cord properly will help you retain heat in your sleeping bag. Practice closing these so that you can do it in the dark.
Employ Proper Layering
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- Base Layer I start with a layer of moisture-wicking clothes. Merino wool or synthetic. These draw sweat away from my skin and keep me dry and comfortable.
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- Mid-Layer The mid layer is to keep warmth trapped in. I like to have a fleece jacket or a puffy down vest.
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- Outer Shell The final, outer layer is designed to protect from the elements. I usually wear either a waterproof or windproof outer layer.
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- Extremities A good quality hat, a warm pair of socks, and a pair of gloves are all essentials which can easily be added to removed depending on how hot you are.
Heat Sources (Use with Caution!)
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- Hot Water Bottles Filling a hot water bottle and then wrapping it in a towel and placing it in my sleeping bag an hour before I plan on going to sleep is a great way of making sure my sleeping bag is nice and warm.
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- Heated Blankets Portable, battery-powered heated blankets or USB heated blankets (which can be powered from a USB power bank) are a good addition to your camping gear. These are a good pairing with a solar-powered USB power bank so you can charge it up during the day and then stay warm at night.
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- Chemical Hand Warmers These can be a great pick me up when you are feeling cold. I find these are most useful when you are hiking but you can also use them at night for a bit of extra warmth. I like to get reusable ones which can be reset with boiling water once you get home.
Tent Setup and Ventilation
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- Proper Pitching Pitch your tent correctly, following its instructions. It needs to be free of gaps so that there are no drafts.
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- Minimize Vents While ventilation is necessary for the tent, try to close most (or all) of the vents at night and open them during the day to air the tent out.
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- Double-Wall Tents This is my preferred tent design. Double wall tents have an inner mesh layer and an outer fabric layer. This helps keep rain out while still allowing some ventilation.
