There are numerous reasons to go winter camping. One of them is the availability of excellent campsites without any crowds. It is also a delightfully quiet experience, with only the gentle sound of snow falling off trees. Additionally, you will not have to worry about any bugs. Depending on the distance and mode of transportation, you may need to adjust the items on the cold-weather camping checklist provided below. Therefore, it is crucial to engage in thorough trip planning and research before embarking on your journey. Lastly, it is always advisable to bring hut booties.
Sleeping and shelter
If the weather is calm, a 3-season tent can be effective (learn more about the distinction between 3-season and 4-season tents). Additionally, constructing a snow cave or quinzhee is a viable choice under suitable conditions.
- Sleeping bag rated at least 5°C lower than the coldest temps you expect
- Compression sack
- Dry bag or garbage bag to put your sleeping bag in
- Sleeping pad with R-value of 4 or more
- Foam pad for added warmth (also makes a great seat)
- Lightweight packable pillow
Items that are shared among your camping group:
- 4-season tent with full-coverage fly
- Tent poles and stakes (bring snow/sand stakes)
- Footprint
Camp kitchen
- Water bottles (insulated)
- Water bottle cover or cozy to keep it from freezing
- Lightweight mug
- Plate or bowl
- Spoon, fork or spork
Items that are shared among members of your camping group:
- Food – plan high-calorie, easy to cook and clean meals
- Hot drinks
- Liquid-fuel camping stoves work well in freezing temps
- Fuel for stove; usually 2.5x more fuel than summer if you’re melting snow
- If you don’t plan to boil your water, bring water treatment (filters can freeze; go with chemical or Steripen – cold saps batteries, so bring a spare)
- Lighter or waterproof matches and fire starter, all in a waterproof case
- Pot set with large pot for melting snow
- Cooking utensils
- Biodegradable soap
- Dishcloth and dish scraper
- Tarp to cover cooking area
- Lightweight dry bags for hanging food at night (make sure they’re big enough for all the group’s food and scented items, including toiletries and garbage)
- 15–20m of lightweight rope or cord, plus a carabiner for hanging food
Safety gear
- Headlamp or flashlight with lots of extra batteries
- Personal first aid kit with blister care
- Whistle
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Watch
- Knife (one with a safety locking blade)
- Repair kits for sleeping pads, tents and stoves; include duct tape and repair tape
- Prescription medication in a sealed, dry container. Bring twice the amount you’ll need; half stays with you, and the other half stays with your camping partner with detailed info on dosage and side effects.
- Trip plan left with a friend
Here are the items that you and your camping group can share:
- Camping permit in a sealed plastic bag, if required
- Map in waterproof case
- Compass
- GPS (optional)
- Large sealed plastic bag to store guide, map, compass and GPS
- Multi-tool
- Trowel or a Leave No Trace plan for winter pooping (like the Restop bag)
- Camp lantern
Clothing and footwear
Layering is essential during winter to ensure staying dry and warm while avoiding the mistake of overdressing or underdressing. To achieve this, it is advisable to avoid using cotton materials as they take a considerable amount of time to dry.
- Synthetic, quick-drying underwear
- Sports bra
- Base layer bottoms
- Base layer top
- Mid-layer fleece jacket, lightweight puffy jacket or wool sweater
- Waterproof-breathable jacket
- Waterproof-breathable pants
- Gloves or mitts, plus liners and an extra pair
- Toque, plus a lightweight spare (or a balaclava or toque/neck gaiter
- Ski goggles if it’s really cold
- Warm socks, plus an extra pair (wool or wool-blend)
- Liner socks, if necessary
- Warm, waterproof winter boots
- Gaiters
- Hut booties
Personal items
- Hand sanitizer
- Quick-drying towel or face cloth
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (small amount)
- Power bank or spare batteries for electronic devices (keep them warm)
- Phone or emergency communication device
- Earplugs
- Notebook and pencil
- Hand and toe warmers (pop one into your boots before you slip into them in the morning)
- Toilet paper – or use snow
- Clearly marked water bottle for midnight pee breaks, so you don’t have to leave your tent
- Tent entertainment, like a book, game or cards
You have the option to choose not to bring personal items with you.
- Hammock or lightweight chair for camp
- Deodorant
- Camera
- Binoculars
Snow and travel gear
In order to determine the gear you need, it is important to consider your travel plan for reaching the campsite. The provided list offers various possibilities and is especially relevant for backcountry travel, where it is crucial to possess all necessary avalanche essentials and training. Ski tourers may also find our ski touring checklist useful to consult.
- 50L or larger backpack
- Rain cover or pack liner
- Stuff sacks or sealable plastic bags to organize items in your pack
- Sled to carry your gear
- Trekking poles with snow baskets
- Garbage bags for extra waterproofing and to pack out garbage
- Snowshoes or skis and skins
- Shovel for safety and to create camp furniture out of snow
- Crampons, microspikes
- Ice axe
- Avalanche transceiver
- Avalanche probe
- Snow saw
No matter if you are using snowshoes, skis, or driving to a winter campsite, the Leave No Trace principles are applicable throughout the whole year. Familiarize yourself with the fundamentals before you depart and enjoy the outdoors in a completely different manner.
Brand-Specific Recommendations
ON HIGH SOCK
Our extremities are vulnerable to bad weather due to limited circulation and a large exposed surface area. It is important to have a reliable pair of winter boots when camping in colder months. However, the socks that are usually worn inside the boots are often not warm enough. These high-quality running socks from On are made from a blend of advanced polyamide and elastane. They also have technical mesh paneling at the arch of the foot which reportedly stimulates sensory receptors. These Swiss-engineered socks are available in three color options and can be used for running as well as for camping in cold weather.
EXOTAC WATERPROOF MATCH CASE
Having the ability to start a fire in winter can be a critical factor in life-or-death situations. It is essential to have a reliable fire source like the Waterproof Match Case by Exotac. Constructed from aerospace-grade 6061 aluminum and coated with an anodized finish, this lightweight and compact device can hold 20 standard kitchen matches, 16 NATO matches, or a few stormproof matches. With a waterproof capability up to 16.4′ (or 5m), it also features a lanyard loop that can hold two strands of 550 paracord. Additionally, this match case includes extra match striking pads and o-rings for added convenience.
ZIPPO HEATBANK 9S PLUS
Zippo has been well-known for its classic lighter fluid-powered pocket and hand warmer, which has been a popular choice for outdoor activities during the winter season. However, the brand recently decided to give its hand warmer a modern update and introduced the HEATBANK 9S Plus. This new device features an aluminum housing with heating elements on both sides and offers six power modes. The highest power mode can reach temperatures of up to 120°F (or 50°C). Additionally, the HEATBANK 9S Plus comes with a built-in LED flashlight and a battery level display. It is equipped with a rechargeable 5,200mAh Lithium-ion battery that provides up to nine hours of heating time. Moreover, the device includes two USB ports, allowing it to be used as a power source to charge cameras, smartphones, or other devices.
THE NORTH FACE THERMOBALL ECO TRACTION BOOTIE
In the past, buying camp slippers meant choosing between warmth or durability. However, the outdoor experts at The North Face have introduced the ThermoBall Eco Traction Bootie to change this. These booties are tough and strong, with a sole made from 405 recycled rubber. The main upper is made entirely of recycled polyethylene terephthalate and has a special coating to make it water and snow resistant. Inside, PrimaLoft Thermoball Eco material, also made from recycled post-consumer product and scraps, keeps your feet warm in any weather.
BURTON BAKER POWER WOOL BASE LAYERS
Burton, based in Burlington, is one of the few companies that truly understands the clothing and equipment needed for winter mountain activities. To cater to the ongoing cold season, Burton has introduced its new collection of Baker Power Wool base layers. These base layers are made from Polartec’s own Power Wool base, which is a combination of breathable, lightweight Merino wool and poly blend. This material is not only incredibly durable but also has quick-drying and antimicrobial properties. In addition to these features, the base layers have Burton’s best warmth-to-weight ratio. They are designed to be chafe-free, with soft-lock seams and a tough synthetic outer layer. Furthermore, the base layers come with a lifetime warranty, ensuring that they can be used season after season.
BENCHMADE LEUKU KNIFE
When camping during the colder parts of the year, various tasks will need to be done spontaneously, such as building a shelter, preparing food, and getting the campfire ready. Among the different types of versatile and durable outdoor knives, the classic bushcraft knife stands out. Released in April 2020, Benchmade’s Leuku knife offers a contemporary version of a traditional bushcraft blade. It features a full-tang, 5.19″ long, 0.14″ thick drop point blade made of satin-finish CPM-3V steel. The blade is paired with a sturdy handle made from Santoprene, a high-performance thermoplastic elastomer that has a similar texture to rubber but is considerably more resilient.
NEMO TENSOR INSULATED SLEEPING PAD
Engineered specifically for cold weather camping, NEMO’s Tensor insulated sleeping pad is designed with numerous subtle features that combine to provide a warm and comfortable night’s rest. It utilizes a “Spaceframe” baffle setup for stability, evenly distributing the user’s weight and keeping them off the ground. With dual layers of NEMO’s Thermal Mirror suspended metalized film, this pad offers insulation for temperatures as low as 10°F. Additionally, it features a high-quality 20D fabric exterior, NEMO’s Laylow zero-profile, micro-adjustable valve, and comes with the Vortex pump sack.
