Here at LFTO, we firmly believe that the main reason some people dislike camping is because their sleep setup is suboptimal. For us, a good night's kip in the outdoors is non-negotiable, and one the main reasons for an uncomfortable camping experience is being too cold. How to keep warm in a tent is a skill that can be learned, so here are top tips from a naturally cold sleeper on how to staying cosy while camping.
Start with the right kit
Forget pillows, hot water bottles and insulated pyjamas for a moment. Start with the basics of how to keep warm in a tent, and make sure your sleeping mat and sleeping bag are optimised for the type of camping you'll be doing. If you find yourself constantly cold while camping (even in summer), despite a sleeping bag that says it can handle lower temperatures, firstly have a look at your sleeping mat.
Chances are you're losing heat to the ground and need an upgrade, or at least an extra blanket between you and the tent floor. If you're setting up for a festival or a longer stay at a campsite, a camp bed/stretcher with an appropriate mat might be a good bet as it completely separates you from cold, heat-zapping ground.
Sleeping mat warmth in more detail
People often underestimate the power of a good camping mat. Those blow-up camp beds you get for a tenner out of Halfords? No chance of keeping you warm. Likewise with your mum's old yoga mat: heat will just escape into the ground before you can even start snoring. So, what should you be looking for?
In a letter, it's all about the "R" rating - which tells you how insulating a mat is. The higher the R rating, the more a mat will protect you from the cold floor and reflect your own body heat back at you, and yes, higher R ratings usually mean more expensive gear.
We camp year-round all over the UK, including Scotland, and cannot recommend winter sleeping mats such as the Thermarest Neo-Air Xtherm and NEMO Tensor Extreme Conditions Mummy Sleeping Mat highly enough for fantastic warmth-to weight ratio which keep us toasty even in the double minuses. However, there are many other great value mats out there which will protect you from the cold ground while providing a comfortable night's sleep too, without having to spend tonnes of cash.
For a budget upgrade for kit you already have, putting your mat on top a reflective survival blanket, and/or spreading out your clothes on top of your mat the best you can (zipping a fleece around the middle works well) will work to help insulate you from the ground below.
Sleeping bags
If you're a cold sleeper, it's best to play it safe and invest in a sleeping bag whose comfort rating goes far below the temperatures you'll be camping in most of the time. Even in Scottish summer, we'll often camp with a bag rated for below freezing.
This might be overkill for some, but temperatures ratings on sleeping bags are a guide only and some people feel the cold more. And having a sleeping bag that's a bit too warm is better than one that isn't warm enough because it allows us to unzip it when it gets too toasty, and then snuggle back in again when the 4am pre-dawn temperature drop hits.
In terms of the insulation type, down is certainly the fill type with the best warmth-to-weight ratio, but if you're not in need of top backpacking performance, then high-fill synthetic bags are great too. These offer more of a cosy, duvet-like experience due to them being slightly bulkier and heavier. Again, look for a comfort rating that matches, or exceeds, the conditions in which you expect to be out.
In terms of the shape of the bag, a tapered mummy-shaped sleeping bag is generally going to be better at keeping you warmer due to a reduction in cold spots. A rectangular bag will offer more freedom to wiggle, though. High-end sleeping bags tend only to be mummy shaped too, so choose this option for a warmer kip.
Another top tip here is choosing a bag that's the right size for you. Sleeping bags (especially premium ones) comes in different lengths. Investing in the right size is very wise because it helps avoid cold spots, especially if you're on the smaller side. . As an on-the-spot fix if you do find you're sleeping bag is too long and making you cold, tie a shoe-lace or a ratchet strap around the bottom of your bag to reduce cold spots.
The last top tip for your sleeping bag is to loft your sleeping bag up before you get in it: if it has been compressed all day, then redistributing the fill (no matter if it's feathers or something synthetic) will help eliminate cold spots, increase the spare for air to be trapped and generally keep you warmer and happier.
What to wear in your sleeping bag (or simply, wear your sleeping bag)
When we first started camping, there was a bit of a myth going around that you'd actually be warmer sleeping with fewer clothes on in your sleeping bag. This is a big lie: wearing more layers, unsurprisingly, keeps you toastier. For very cold nights, wearing your big jacket in your sleeping bag is a no-brainer, but whatever the weather, climbing into some breathable merino base layers, including long johns, is a great way of keeping cosy while not getting clammy.
Natural materials like merino (or cotton if you're not worried about weight or it getting wet) wick away moisture from the skin, keeping you at a comfortable temperature. We'd highly recommend having a clean change of clothes (the aforementioned merino base layer set included) for the tent which stay packed into a drybag each day and are used only when you're tucked up for the night.
Behavioural adaptations that will keep you warmer
So, you've sorted your kit and are now covered in goose down and sitting pretty on a mat that reflects heat back into you and it's still freezing, there are several camping habits you can implement before getting into your tent which will keep you warmer throughout the night.
Layer up if you're sitting around for a while - but keep moving lightly too.
As soon as you stop moving, you're going to get cold, so if you're sitting around at camp, make sure you stay toasty throughout the evening, with the right insulating layers on. Hats, gloves and spare socks can all make a huge difference to your core temperature, so bring them with if it's going to get chilly.
And aside from wearing the right kit, keeping moving gently, rather than just plonking yourself down and sitting with a beer, will help too. Whether that's because you're cooking, collecting wood for a fire-pit, or setting up a tent, being lightly active around camp will help stave off the chill for longer.
If you're a keen outdoor swimmer like us, be very aware, too, of going for a cold dip too close to settling down for the night. It can often take a lot longer to warm up than you might think, and getting into bed cold is probably the worst thing you can do for your overnight temperature. Dip or no dip, going for a little jog around camp just before you get into bed can also help generate body heat which gets trapped in your bag.
Eat and drink the right things
We don't care what ultralight backpackers say: there is nothing coming between us and a hot meal at the end of a day. Not only does this boost morale, it also keeps you warmer at night, with hot food acting as central heating from the inside out. Camp food should have a good mix of fat and carbs which help keep your engines burning, in addition to that all-important protein for muscle recovery. Bonus points if you can cook it over a fire-pit which can keep everyone toasty and in good spirits.
When it comes to liquids, be wary of drinking too much before bed: nighttime peeing can have a big effect on your sleep temperature as you get up and essentially let all of that hard-won heat escape from your sleeping bag. However, having a small hot drink with dinner is a great idea for staying warmer just before you settle down - I love either a hot chocolate (which doubles up as dessert) or a peppermint tea, which can work even after you've brushed your teeth.
Alcohol can be a double-edged sword here too - a beer jacket is usually a pretty terrible way of keeping warm, so if you do drink, make sure it's early on in the evening. This is partially so you can get rid of it before bed, and partially so that the effects of the cold aren't dulled before you wake up at 2am absolutely freezing.
Hot water bottles
Look, we're never going to be taking an actual hot water bottle with a fluffy case on our backpacking trips, but a Nalgene filled with hot water, wrapped in a spare fleece or t-shirt? Yes please. Before you pour scalding water into any bottle, do check that it can withstand those temperatures, and it's completely leakproof. Wrap your hot water bottle in something to protect your skin, then pop it firmly between your legs, as this is where large veins are close to the surface: the heat will warm your blood up as it travels around your body.
Share the love
One of the best ways to keep warm in a tent is to fill it with people; the more the merrier. Our record on a winter's night at Loch Nagar, where the temperature plummeted to around -7, was squeezing 4 people into a Terra Nova Quasar II. You don't have to do this, of course, but if there's two of you and you've each brought a tent, use one for gear and the other to snuggle in together - you'll stay so much warmer when sharing body heat. For couples (or really good friends), double sleeping bags are great fun.
FAQs for how to stay warm in a tent
What type of sleeping bag should I use for cold weather camping?
The best type of sleeping bag to use depends on your budget, but you'll be warmest in a high-power down filled mummy bag, with good baffles and a drawstring hood. Check out our guide to the best sleeping bags here.
How can I insulate the floor of my tent?
A picnic blanket on the floor of the tent goes a long way for adding comfort and insulation - bonus points if it's one with a foil base to reflect heat back at you. If you're going for more of a campsite setup for a week or so, then investing in some foam squares that slot together is a great way of not only insulating the tent, but making it nice and comfy to sit on too.
What kind of clothing is best for staying warm in a tent?
Natural fibres like merino or brushed cotton are naturally sweat-wicking and warm, keeping a thin layer of air trapped next to your skin. If that's not cutting it, pull on a fleecy midlayer, and if it's super cold, get yourself a down jacket to snuggle into too. The more air you can trap between yourself and the outside world, the better.
Is it safe to use a portable heater in a tent?
To be clear: no, no, and also no. Unless you'd like to end up on fire. It's also completely pointless to heat space that is well below room temperature - it's much more efficient to heat the person using passive methods such as gel hand-warmers, hot water bottles or if you do have access to electricity, a heated throw.
Are there specific tents designed for cold weather?
Yes! 3-4 season tents are usually of a double-skin design and optimised for colder weather, with less in the way of mesh in the inner, and more window-like ventilation options to avoid condensation buildup.
How can I keep my feet warm while sleeping?
The reason your feet are cold at night is that your body is working hard to keep your core temperature up, and limiting bloodflow to the extremities. By insulating your core first, your feet will become naturally warmer. However, wearing merino or wool socks is a great idea, and if you're really feeling the cold in your tootsies, then those wake-and-shake handwarmer packs that skiers use could come in pretty handy when stuffed in your socks.
What are some quick ways to warm up inside the tent?
Loft your sleeping bag properly before you get into it. Not only will doing this redistribute the filling to avoid cold spots, you'll get a bit of a workout too, moving your bigger muscles like your shoulders and creating body heat while doing so. It's also warmer to sleep curled up than stretched out (ask any cat). Also, share bodyheat with a pal: don't be afraid to spoon!
Can I use a regular three-season tent in cold weather?
Yes, of course, provided you're well prepared in terms of your sleeping bag, extra layers and sleeping pad. The only time where a 3 season tent might not perform brilliantly is where you're pitching it directly onto snow or ice, or if it's blowing hurricane-strength wind at you on top of a hillside. It's never really extreme temperatures that are the issue for 3 season tents - it's precipitation and wind that'll get you.
About the Author
Fliss Freeborn is a writer for LFTO and loves nothing more than spending a night or seven under canvas. She's a cold sleeper too, so really knows her stuff when it comes to keeping warm, especially having spent the last 7 years camping in all four seasons Scotland's wild mountains.