A number of campers are now heading off camping when the weather gets colder. The great outdoors offers a different landscape when there is a layer of snow compared to the summer. However, it isn’t for everyone, and whether you can sleep at 30 degrees (-1.11°C) depends on how you can handle the cold and how prepared you are.
It is easier to cool down than to warm up when you want to sleep comfortably. It’s one thing to be warm outside when it’s cold when moving and increasing your body heat. But, when you’re lying still, it’s a different story. When your tent is full of cool air, it’s hard to fall asleep. Yet keeping warm is possible, and you can have a good night’s sleep when you have the right gear, to sleep in 30-degree weather.
It is here, you may ask, is a 30-degree sleeping bag warm enough, and would you need any more gear? At the very least, you need to include a sleeping pad to stop the cold from seeping upward. In addition, you’ll feel warmer if you wear layers as you settle down for the night.
In our guide, you can learn much more about how to stay warm camping in 30-degree weather. By the end, you’ll see the additions you need to amateur gear to help you camp and stay warm at the coldest times of the year. (Find the Best Camping Chairs)
When Is It Too Cold For Cold Weather Camping?
How cold is too cold for camping? That depends on how well you can handle the cold and if you have any experience camping in cold weather or even regular camping.
If you’re an experienced camper, you can find a different answer to a new camper who has never camped and woken to chilly weather.
You can start small by camping near your home or pitch your tent in your backyard so you can accustom yourself and determine the right gear and clothes you’ll need.
It is advisable not to head deep into the backcountry for your first cold-weather camping trip; instead, try car camping first, so you have some security.
How To Stay Warm Camping in 30-Degree weather
A great way to maintain body temperature is eating hot meals at the start and end of the day.
Add in a high-energy lunch, with protein-packed snacks and your body will have the food it needs for sleeping in the cold.
During the day, eat foods with a high-calorie density, and drink plenty of water and warm drinks.
Dressing in layers helps keep you warm as if you sweat; this can wick away from the body. And sweat-soaked clothes will freeze and cause your body temperature to drop.
30 Degree Weather Sleeping Gear
In 30°F (-1.11°C) weather, you need a good sleeping bag rated for 10°F (-12.22°C), which is a sleeping bag rated colder than the temperature you expect. You can also add a sleeping bag liner to boost warmth and clean your sleeping bag.
Insulated sleeping pads keep your body heat from escaping. A closed-cell foam pad works best on the bottom layer to help insulation against the tent’s coldest portion.
Pack extra blankets for car camping, even if you find you are too warm.
Here’s a bit more on the gear you’ll need to help you sleep soundly when moist air surrounds you.
Cold Weather Camping Sleeping Bags
We have seen that using a cold-weather sleeping bag with a lower rating helps, yet there is more to it.
Invest in sleeping bags with a strong draft collar, as you need to keep your head warm, but not inside your sleeping bag. This is because your breath would make your sleeping bag colder if you breathed inside.
Use a fleece layer or scarf if your warm sleeping bag doesn’t have an included draft collar.
Mummy bags work well and can keep you toasty in the harshest weather. You’ll find extra insulation to help keep feet warm, and hoods often include draft collars and side vents.
No matter what the rating of your bag, use a sleeping bag liner to help you in the cold and make your sleeping bags last longer.
Tents For 30 Degree Weather Camping
Choosing the right tent is as essential as choosing the right sleeping bag so you can enjoy tent camping in freezing weather.
Winter-specific tents (4-season tents) include more extended rain flaps and fly sheets to help keep cold rain and snow away from the inner portion of your tent.
The tent fabric is often thicker and the poles stronger to support your tent when covered in snow and withstand wind gusts and harsh weather conditions.
Tents don’t hold that much heat. They act as a wind and snow barrier (which is essential for warmth).
The kind of tent you have is vital because of condensation.
Condensation may develop within the tent, gather on the roof, and begin to drip on your head as the temperature drops. This means you will be cold and damp. (Find the Best Portable Hot Water Shower For Camping)
Condensation is a specific problem with single-wall tents. Use only a double-wall tent when camping in cold weather because of this. Even though it appears illogical if you must use a single-wall tent, keep the door slightly ajar to prevent condensation from collecting.
In addition, we recommend a short tent as warm air rises, thus causing heat loss. Body heat takes longer to warm up a large tent on the cold ground.
Also, use tents rated for more individuals; you can store your gear inside without opening the tent and losing vital heat.
You can also dig a wind shelter before pitching a tent made to withstand the cold. Cutting down on the wind can make a huge difference.
It is wise to pitch your tent away from potentially dangerous areas, such as those exposed to an avalanche. Also, don’t tent camp under tall trees that could be snowbound, where the snow could fall on your tent.
What To Wear for Cold Weather Camping
When cold weather camping, you must wear layers both day and night.
Avoid fibers like cotton that absorb moisture and go for textiles that wick it away.
If you stay dry, you’ll stay warmer. When you’re outside, you should wear a base layer, an insulation layer, and a waterproof layer. In addition, pack a pair of rain pants and a rain poncho or jacket to help stay dry.
Wearing separate layers at night and in the tent will prevent you from putting moisture from the day, such as sweat or ice, in your sleeping bag and ending up feeling dangerously cold as you fall asleep.
Using thermal underwear as your base layer and fleece, leggings, or other insulating layers should be sufficient.
Ensure that you wear thick socks at night as well. If your feet are prone to cold, wear two pairs of socks.
Besides the previous camping gear advisory, you undoubtedly already know that you must dress in layers when camping to stay warm.
However, just because you’re wearing layers doesn’t mean you should keep doing so when it becomes cold.
It combines several types of apparel for camping to keep out the cold efficiently. (Learn How To Run CPAP While Camping)
Base layer: This must be wool or a synthetic substance. Its function is to wick moisture from your body to prevent excessive sweat (and thus cold) as part of your sleep system.
You should never wear cotton base layers because they absorb moisture, making you feel wet and cold when temperatures drop.
Mid layer: Your insulating layer ought to be large and fluffy. Hooded fleece jackets are helpful in mild weather, yet you need a puffy jacket or a thick wool sweater when the weather is extremely low.
You could need two mid-layers in extremely cold weather. You’ll also need fleece pants or another layer of mid-layer on your legs.
Outer Shell layer: Your shell layer shields you from the rain and protects your mid-layer heat from being blown away by the wind on your camping trip.
Winter Camping Tips for Beginners
Consuming more food, particularly calorie-dense and fatty foods, is one of the best methods to stay warm. A late-night snack can keep you warm. The more food you give your body, the warmer you can be because it needs to work harder in the cold to maintain your temperature.
Remember that even though you may not feel as thirsty as you do in the summer, your body still needs water to function. You can also help your water intake by drinking hot tea.
For newcomers, it’s a good idea to dress colder than the forecasted temps. Extra layers are preferable to not enough because it is simpler to cool down than warm up your body.
Staying warm in cold temperatures begins with your clothing and warm layers to trap air.
Cold air falls to the lowest point, so find a spot higher than the surrounding area. Here, you can pair good-quality sleeping pads with an air mattress. A good sleeping pad adds an insulation layer, where the air mattress lifts you from the floor.
You must shield your gear from the cold when it drops below the freezing point of water, besides trying to maintain your comfort rating in and out of your sleeping bag.
To have drinkable water for the morning, place at least one water bottle at the foot of your sleeping bag to help you stay hydrated in the morning.
You can also heat this water, so you have a hot water bottle to warm your feet and help you fall asleep faster on a cold night. Just don’t forget your fire starter so you can have a fire to heat this water and have a hot beverage before bed.
Before climbing into your sleeping bag, exercise. Jumping jacks or squats will help to increase blood flow. Your body will warm up more quickly if you get moving before going into your sleeping bag. (Read Repel Mosquitoes Camping Guide)
Remember that elevation affects temperatures. The higher you are, the air cannot trap as much heat; thus, it can feel colder compared to lower down the side of a mountain.
Never be tempted to cook inside your tent, as you could suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning.
If it is freezing, consider using two sleeping bags. This combination can cover many temperature ranges based on the sleeping bag ratings.