Cold Weather Camping Gear List

Many people only associate camping with spring, summer and autumn---and maybe not even spring and autumn, preferring more reliably warm temperatures. But, with the proper gear, campers can easily pitch out under the stars even in the dead of winter and explore entirely new---and often quieter---faces of familiar landscapes.

Sleeping Gear

Of utmost importance in cold-weather camping is your sleeping bag. The weather will typically be most inclement at night---the coldest temperatures normally fall in the vicinity of sunrise---and you won't be generating much heat in your prone repose. Bags are rated by temperature; you will want one designed for weather more severe than you're expecting. Certainly for winter camping, a bag rated for below-zero temperatures is a must.
A sleeping pad beneath your bag provides additional insulation from the cold ground. Solid or partly inflatable, closed-cell versions are best. If you aren't backpacking, and therefore space and weight aren't major issues, you can buffer your pad with blankets, clothing, tarps and other materials.

Tent

Pay attention to the seasonal rating of the tent you are considering. Four-season and mountaineering tents are designed for cold weather; they usually have extra features like additional poles to increase resistance and insulation. These tents typically weigh more than warm-season models, so plan accordingly.

Clothing

Pack plenty of layers. While hiking, you may work up enough of a sweat to doff a lot of them; you might even find a T-shirt most comfortable on a sunny winter's day. But you want to have a good suite of inner- and outerwear to ward off the cold. Long underwear can be worn into the sleeping bag and throughout the day. Synthetic outer shells over jackets, coats and vests shield from cold, wind and precipitation. Wear multiple pairs of socks and always keep a dry pair secure.
A winter hat is useful day or night: You can wear one to bed for enhanced coziness. A ski mask helps reduce wind-bite and snow-glare during winter treks. Dry clothing stuffed beneath a sleeping pad both warms it for the following day and lends extra insulation during the night.

Other

Pack plenty of food for a cold-weather trip, as you'll burn a lot of energy. Bring along a cook-stove appropriate to your outing: a lightweight, compact backpacker's stove for extended wilderness ventures, or a larger, multiple-burner model for car-camping. Fire-starting materials, important on any camping trip for emergency purposes, are especially vital in colder conditions. Keep matches, lighter, tinder and other fire-making tools in a dry, waterproof and secure location in your pack. Tote emergency signaling equipment and first-aid supplies, as with any trip.