The Best Winter Camping Gear for Cold Weather

Don’t go winter camping without the right winter camping gear.

The gear you bring will make or break your trip. Bring the wrong gear, and you’re in for a cold, wet, and all-around miserable trip. Not only that, but it’s also dangerous to be inadequately prepared while outdoors in cold weather.

Luckily, rounding up the best winter camping gear is a relatively easy task (although, depending on the conditions you expect, it can be expensive). For starters, you’ll need a winter sleeping bag, winter tent, and winter clothing. Keep reading this ultimate guide for other essential winter camping equipment.

Here’s everything you need to know to find the best camping gear for winter trips.

The Best Winter Camping Gear

Warmth & Shelter

 Best Winter Camping Tent
 Crua Outdoors Culla Maxx

 Best Tent Heater
 Mr. Heater Buddy Propane Heater

 Best Sleeping Bag
 Coleman Zero Degree Mummy Sleeping Bag

 Best Sleeping Pad
 Teton Sports XXL Camp Pad

 Best Wood Camping Stove
 Camp Chef Cylinder Stove

Personal Safety Equipment

 Goggles
 OutdoorMaster Ski Goggle PRO with UV400 Protection

 Trekking Poles
 Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

 Avalanche Beacon
 Backcountry Access Tracker S Avalanche Beacon and Probe

 Waterproof Backpack
 Earth Pak Waterproof Backpack

Clothing

 Base Layer
 WEERTI Thermal Underwear – (Men’s and Women’s)

 Waterproof Mittens
 Carhartt Men’s W.P. Waterproof Insulated Mitt

Cold Weather Winter Tents

Crua Outdoors CCulla Max
3-Person Insulated Tent

WhiteDuck Canvas Bell Tent with Stove Jack

REI Base Camp 4 Tent

Although a 3-season tent will work in mild weather, a 4-season tent is necessary for true winter camping, especially if you expect snow and below-freezing temperatures.

Your tent must be sturdy and waterproof. I personally prefer a double-wall tent for winter, but a single-wall tent often performs well in very serious weather, such as that you’d find while mountaineering.

Winter tents are available in a variety of sizes, from 1-person tents to 4-person tents. Unlike a normal camping tent which can often be sized up to create more livable space, a winter tent should be as small as possible to prevent heat loss through the floor.

Here are some additional tips to stay warm while tent camping to make your next winter trip even cozier.

Check out our complete list of The Best Winter Camping Tents here.

Winter Sleeping Bags

Coleman 0°F Mummy Sleeping Bag

Mountain Hardware

Coleman Big and Tall 0°F Sleeping Bag

A winter sleeping bag must be rated for below the coldest temperatures you expect to encounter on your trip.

We recommend a winter sleeping bag with a temperature rating of at least 10°F to 15°F lower than the coldest temperatures you expect to encounter on your cold-weather camping trip.

Another feature that improves insulation and heat retention is the bag shape. A mummy bag is much better for winter camping than a rectangular bag. Additional features like a hood with drawstrings and a draft collar further help increase warmth.

Check out even more of the best winter sleeping bags here.

Winter Sleeping Pad

TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Pad

Invoker 3″ Self-Inflating Memory Foam Sleeping Pad

Exped Megamat Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

A sleeping pad isn’t all about comfort – it also provides extra insulation at night.

It creates an additional layer between your sleeping bag and the cold ground to increase warmth. Look for a sleeping pad with a high R-value for the most insulation possible.

Personally, I prefer to bring two sleeping pads for winter camping. One is a closed-cell foam pad and the other is a self-inflating air pad. Like other avid winter campers, I’ve found this setup provides the best insulation from the cold ground of winter.

Winter Outerwear (Winter Jackets & Snowpants)

Your outer layer of clothing, also known as a shell layer, typically consists of a water-resistant jacket and pants. For winter camping, the jacket and pants must be waterproof and windproof. The best models are also lightweight and breathable.

You have a lot of winter jacket options. One big decision is between a true outer shell (minimal insulation but very lightweight) or an insulated jacket (warmer but heavier).

The price range (and quality) for winter jackets and pants vary widely. Casual winter campers should look for models around $100 to $200 for each piece. Serious winter campers (especially backpackers and mountaineers) can spend anywhere up to $500 or more for each piece.

Winter Middle Layer

The middle layer is the clothing layer underneath the waterproof outer layer. The goal of this layer is to provide insulation and heat retention instead of water resistance.

Your mid-layer options are numerous. The best choice depends on the conditions you expect to face on your winter camping trip. Popular choices are a pullover sweater, a zip-up jacket, or vest. The best materials include down, fleece, and wool as well as synthetic insulation materials.

Winter Base Layer

Your base layer is partially responsible for warmth and insulation – but it has an even more important main purpose: wicking moisture.

The goal of your winter base layer is to wick moisture away from your body to keep your skin dry. Keeping moisture away from your skin is extremely important while winter camping, because the freezing weather conditions can quickly cause you to become chilled (or even develop hypothermia) if perspiration is left in contact with the skin.

The best materials include nylon, polyester, and merino wool. Avoid non-wicking fabrics like cotton. REI has an excellent guide on how to choose base layers for camping. Although you have a few different style options, long underwear is one of the best, thanks to its comfort and versatility.

Winter Hat

A winter hat, like a beanie, is an essential piece of winter camping gear. The obvious reason is that it helps you stay warm. A hat’s insulating properties help you retain your body heat.

This is particularly important at nighttime. Outside Online recommends wearing a winter hat when you crawl into your sleeping bag to minimize heat loss in very cold weather.

Any type of beanie or knit hat will do the job well. There’s not really one specific type or model that we recommend above all others.

Winter Gloves

In addition to your head, the hands and the feet are two other body parts that lose a lot of heat while cold weather camping.

That’s why you need a good pair of gloves (or mittens) for winter camping! Quality insulation is the most important factor, although those that plan to get their hands damp should look into waterproof gloves. REI has an excellent guide on how to buy snow gloves and mittens.

Winter Boots for Hiking and Camping

Just like with winter clothing, the best winter boots for camping depends on your needs and preferences. For example, winter boots for hanging out in a campground are vastly different than the winter boots required for winter backpacking.

That said, there are still a few main factors to keep in mind no matter your expected application:

• Insulation – How warm are the boots?

• Waterproofing – How well do the boots block moisture from snow and rain?

• Traction – How well do the boots grip the terrain?

Naturally, it’s also important to find a pair of winter boots that fit well. Not only that, but you need to make sure they still fit when you’re wearing a pair of thick winter socks underneath.

When it comes to winter socks, look for a pair that’s warm and comfortable. They must also work well with your winter boots, especially if you plan to go winter hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing. Merino wool and synthetics work well because they help wick moisture away from your skin and promote breathability.

In addition to winter socks, a pair of liner socks further helps wick away moisture and increase overall warmth. These thin, lightweight socks increase comfort, prevent blisters, and reduce the risk of frostbite from sweaty socks freezing.

Finally, a pair of hiking gaiters over your winter hiking boots help prevent snow and ice from entering your boots or freezing to your pants. They are ideal for hiking, backpacking, and camping in deep snow.

Check out our post on The Best Winter Hiking Boots for even more choices.

Waterproof Backpacking Backpack

Keep your winter camping gear dry with a waterproof backpacking backpack. Your backpack must also be comfortable, lightweight, and big enough to store all your winter camping equipment. The best winter backpack depends on the length of your trip and type of activity (camping, backpacking, skiing, etc).

Snow Goggles or Winter Sunglasses

Eye protection is incredibly important – and all too often overlooked – for winter outdoor activities. While it’s all but an essential for backpackers, mountaineers, and others traveling long distance, it’s also beneficial for winter car camping.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the snow reflects almost 80% of UV radiation. The sun’s reflection from the snow can cause discomfort, sunburn, and even snow blindness (a form of temporary vision loss).

Although a pair of full-blown snow goggles or glacier goggles are best for many winter activities, a good pair of sunglasses are all you really need for winter camping.

Trekking Poles

Rain and snow can make the hiking trails very slick in the winter! That’s why winter hikers and backpackers need a good pair of trekking poles to maintain their balance (and help maintain momentum) on this slick terrain.

For more information, check out our Complete Guide to Winter Backpacking.

Avalanche Beacon (+Shovel/Probe)

Never head into the winter backcountry without knowledge of avalanche safety.

If there’s even the slightest risk of avalanche, you must be prepared with the proper equipment, an understanding of safety protocol, and the ability to identify signs of avalanche danger. The most important pieces of avalanche safety equipment are an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe.

Just as important as bringing the right gear is knowing how to use it. So make sure to take an avalanche safety course before stepping foot in avalanche country.

Mr. Buddy Winter Tent Heater

A tent heater provides a little extra warmth to your winter camping gear list. Most portable heaters run on propane so it’s important to properly ventilate your tent and never run while you’re sleeping. Although a ton of great models are available, the Mr. Heater Little Buddy is one of our absolute favorite.

Check out our picks for The Best Winter Camping Heaters here.

Camping Stove

Don’t forget to bring a camping stove on your winter camping trip. Not only is it one of the most important components of your camp kitchen for preparing delicious camping meals, but it can also be used to melt water and even provide a little heat. The MSR WindBurner is a fantastic stove for winter camping, although a white gas camping stove is essential for extremely cold conditions.

For more info on camping stoves, check out our post on the Best Camping Stoves here.