Winter Sleeping Gear
There is no better time to go camping then in the winter. Snow and rain can be obstacles but there is nothing like waking up to the sunrise coming over a snowcapped mountain top, or watching rainwater fall from crags of rock and into a stream.
Being prepared for weather is the most important thing you can do to make your trip a successful one. With the right gear you can be warm sleeping outdoors any time of the year. So lets take a look at some great sleeping gear that will keep you warm and dry in all four seasons.
Sleeping Pads
A good sleeping pad will do more than just cushion you from the hard ground; it will also keep the cold ground temperature from bleeding into your sleeping bag.
Exped is a company that builds high quality specialized gear to keep you warm in the unfriendliest climates. Their line of pads called DownMats has won awards and truly does a great job of both comfort and warmth.
Their unique pump pack-sack makes it easy to fill the mat and keeps moisture from the 700-fill goose down insulation. These lightweight Exped mats compact to the size of a football and are great for the avid hiker/backpacker as well as the family camper. These air mattresses come in four sizes and start at $150 and can be found at REI.com.
If price is an issue then the Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro is a great substitute. Starting at $79.95 it will do most everything you need at half the cost. This pad fills quickly and packs easy, it will keep you warm in most conditions and at 2 pounds it is a great traveling companion and can be found at REI.com.
Sleeping Bags
As comforting as a sleeping pad is a sleeping bag is by far the most important item on a winter camping trip, for comfort as well as safety reasons. There is nothing better than the cocoon of warmth a good sleeping bag provides after a long day of hiking.
When selecting a bag it is always best to err on the side of warmth. A zipper can always help airflow if you get to warm but if you are to cold you are in for a miserable night. If the night's low is anticipated to be 20 degrees, it is best to bring a bag rated at zero-degrees. You cannot trust a weather forecast, and sleeping bag ratings are not always accurate.
For rock-bottom chilly outings, I'll use a bag like the Ghost SL from Mountain Hardwear, a minus-40-degree heat chamber stuffed with fluffy 800-fill down. The bag, which was designed for Himalayan and Antarctic expeditions, is top of the line, and its $610 price tag reflects that.
The REI Kilo is rated for -20 and will do the job for most of your winter needs. This lightweight goose down is great for the avid adventurer as well as the first time winter camper. At 3lb 12oz. this roomy bag will keep you warm and your wallet won't hurt as much. This is a deal at $359.
Tents
If a sleeping bag is the most important piece of gear than a tent is the piece that can give you the most comfort and security. A good tent will make those windy nights more bearable and a rainy night cozy instead of wet.
At $750 the Mountain Hardwear Ev 3 is not for the occasional camper but it is well worth every cent. This tent is easy to set up in just about any weather and will keep you dry. Although this tent is listed as a 3 person tent it is debatable. Still with the warmth that this tent holds you can't go wrong.
At a better price point the Eureka! K-2 XT is another great tent that will set up easy and keep you warm and dry. At $419 this octagonal shaped tent has ample room, will sleep 3, and has plenty of ventilation. The only draw back is the tents 11 lb 12 oz weight makes it difficult to hike with unless you have 3 people to divide the load.
No matter what your budget is there is gear out there that will keep you out on the trail and comfortable.