Camping is fun till you are chilled to the bone and there is no option other than waiting for the sun to rise so you could pack your stuff and leave for home.
Some people learn through trial and error. They have to go through tough times before becoming a pro, then there are people who research about the things that they are planning to experience in near future.
So, if you are planning to go on camping in winter but afraid of the cold, then you must read this article ‘How to insulate your tent’, which is written after extensive research to help you enjoy your camping trip.
Thermal Shield inside of the tent
Thermal blankets are made from temperature resistant materials; It can reflect heat. A thermal blanket secured to the tent ceiling with duct tape can help in retaining the heat of your body inside the tent. These blankets are waterproof too. Apart from using as a heat reflector for tents, it is also used as a first aid kit.
Thermal blankets can also be used for summer camping since it can retain cold air inside the tent by reflecting it when attached to the ceiling of the tent.
Thermal Shield Cover
It can be laborious to cover the roof and walls from inside of the tent with thermal foils. How about we cover the tent from outside? Well, it might be a good idea if we want to keep the tent cooled since the foil will reflect heat. What if we flip the foil with the reflective side facing the fabric of the tent?
The answer is that it might not be as effective as covering the tent from the inside as the fabric of tent might hamper the reflective property of the tent from working with its full potential.
Natural Insulator
Nature is always the helper of last resort so what nature offers for tent insulation?
Dead leaves are known for fertilizing the ground. The other important function that dead leaves perform is not widely known; it provides insulation as they carry dead air.
Cover the ground beneath the tent with dry leaves. It will provide protection from the cold ground but make sure that the leaves are completely dry since moist leaves will spoil your camping night.
Waterproof Tarp
The tarpaulin protects the tent from getting wet. Apart from protecting the tent from getting wet, it acts as an insulator by not letting the cold ground to absorb the heat from inside the tent. So, lay out the tarpaulin on the spot where you want to set up the tent, this way it acts as an insulator between the ground and your tent.
It also acts as a cushion between the tent and ground to provide comfort and protect the tent from twigs. It is essential for the durability of your tent also.
Read More: How to Keep Your Tent Warm – An Exclusive Guide for Winter Camping
Sleeping Pads
Sleeping pads makes your sleeping bags warmer by not letting the ground beneath draw the heat and the comfort it provides is cherry on the cake.
Some sleeping pads are not fit for camping like air pads; these occupy more space and are less effective. Instead of air pads use a closed-cell foam pad or self-inflating foam pad.
Thickness is important when you are a side sleeper.
Tent Carpets
It is very important to insulate the floor of the tent as the ground absorbs most of the heat form inside of the tent. A carpet does not only provide comfort but insulation from the ground also to keep it warm in chilly weather.
Tent carpets are designed for specific tents so check if the carpet you are buying fits your tent or not.
Right Camping Spot
Make sure that your tent is set up between natural wind blockers. It will be very difficult to hold the tent when strong winds hit it at the middle of the night.
Other than that, if your tent is facing the wind without any wind blockers in between then it will be much colder because of the inability of tent to block the winds.
A good location can protect you from extra efforts to keep your tent warm. A few suggestions for site selection:
- Do not set up your tent very near water; the air is much cooler near bodies of water than away.
- Nights might be windy so set up your tent near natural features–trees and boulders– that will block winds.
- High grounds that are not exposed to winds are better to set up a tent on in winters than low lying grounds.
Camping Heaters
Heaters can keep you warm in the coldest of temperature. In winter camping the heat generated by the heater stays inside the tent as the thermal blanket or foil connect to the roof and walls of the tent reflect the heat inside.
It can save your night even if one of your main items fail to protect you from chilly weather. Carry propane or an electric heater both are suitable for camping.
But make sure to turn off the heater before you go to sleep because carbon-monoxide is undetectable to human senses.
Temperature Rated Sleeping Bags
A sleeping bag is your best partner in winters as it provides insulation to lock heat from your body and comfort at the same time. There are wide variety of sleeping bags in the market with different features. The following details about sleeping bags might help you with buying the right one.
Sleeping bags mostly come in two series.
Comfort rating-This rating is on women’s sleeping bags. It is for cold sleepers: People who are more sensitive to cold.
- Lower limit rating– This rating indicates the temperature at which a warm sleeper may feel comfortable. This is the temperature rating brands use on men’s bags.
Four-Season Tent
A four-season tent gives protection from extreme weather-high winds, heavy snowfall and frigid temperature. It will save you from spending on extra insulator stuff but note that not all four-season tents are insulated it is better to check before you buy one.
With all its unique features a four-season tent is best, if you are camping in winter.
Winnie is a co-editor of the tent house. He is an adventurist, hiker and trail runner. Always eager to learn about adventure camps.