How to Sleep Like a Baby, When Camping in the Cold

Have you noticed the theme running through our Fall Camping Guide? You got it: managing variable (typically brisk) weather. Pretty much every post in this series touches on how to deal with cold, wind, and rain. As a result, there’s some overlap. You can find more info on fall camping clothing, gear, and setup in the linked articles.

In my opinion, sleep deserves some added attention. I say this because I’ve had some bad experiences on this front. If your night’s sleep at camp is compromised, you’ll feel crappy—and be crabby—the next day. And who wants to be “that guy”?

The basics

If you’ve camped in the summer, you already know this first part. It bears repeating, though. Sleeping on an angled surface is hard on the body. You’ll be sliding in one direction or fidgeting to prevent this from happening.

When setting up (earlier in the day), take the time to assess how level the ground is. If there’s a slight slope, I recommend setting up your tent so that your feet are in the lower position. Then, take a moment to remove rocks, pine cones, and any other obstructions in the space. I’ve watched some folks even rake their tent pad. (Doing so seems excessive, but it probably helps.)

You should try to shelter your tent from the wind. Using tarps and directing water away from your tent is also a good idea.

Start with your body

A still body is a cold body. So, move around a bit to generate body heat before bedtime. One approach is to take a walk around the campground just before turning in.

Doing so gets your blood flowing without being overly strenuous. You don’t want to sweat profusely in your sleeping bag, as this moisture will eventually leave you feeling cold.

Some folks recommend eating before bedtime as a way to generate warmth. (I figure you’ll do this without any added prompts, but I thought I’d mention it anyway.) Eat something just before bedtime and have a snack close at hand, in case you wake up cold. A body that’s fuelled adequately is less susceptible to cold.

Adjust your sleep clothing

It’s tempting to put on a lot of clothing when sleeping in a tent in the fall. Overdressing isn’t advisable. Remember what I said about sweat? If you put on too much clothing, you’ll break into one, which will leave you feeling cold later.

Instead, start with a reasonable amount of clothing for the given conditions. Opt for pajamas that fit on the loose side, so they don’t restrict blood flow—and only wear them for sleeping. (You want these nice and dry.) Then add garments as required until you feel comfortable.

For more tips on staying warm, check out our previous post here.

Pamper your extremities (and noggin)

Put aside a set of dry socks dedicated for use only when sleeping. These’ll make a big difference in how warm you are. You might even consider a light pair with a thicker woolen sock on top. If you get warm, just remove the extra pair. (Down booties are also worth considering—so long as they’re dry.)

Depending on how cold the night is, you might also consider wearing some light mitts or gloves. Don’t get carried away on this front. You don’t want to overheat. That said, no one wants to have cold fingers—and mitts are easy to remove.

I wear a toque when sleeping in a tent. I find that if my head is warm, I can get away with less clothing. Pulling the hood from my sweatshirt over my head also does wonders. Additionally, a Buff or balaclava will prevent warm air from escaping through your collar.

Work your tent

There are all kinds of approaches to making a tent more comfortable. Although it’s tempting to seal your tent tight, this can work against you. Vapor from your breathing and body heat collects as condensation. This moisture can drip back down on you (yucky) or freeze entirely. Venting your tent minimizes condensation, reduce dampness, and leaves your tent dryer.

Some recommend taping a Mylar space blanket to the ceiling of your tent to bounce back heat. I haven’t tried this approach, but I intend to. (I’ll report back on it once I have.)

Each morning, take a few minutes out to wipe condensation from your tent walls. You should also take steps to dry out the clothes you slept in and your sleeping bag. Doing so will help ensure that your next night’s sleep is as good as the previous one.

Have alternate heating available

I hate overpacking. That said, I figure the one time you can risk overpacking is when bringing things that will keep you warm at night—especially in the off-season. Bring some extra sleeping bags and blankets (wool and down are good options) to wrap over your sleeping bag.

Got a water bottle? I recommend a Nalgene bottle or other uninsulated one. Fill it with hot water just before bed. Then place it in your sleeping bag, at your toes, groin, or core. Remember to tighten the lid well. Should the bottle feel too hot, wrap it in an unused garment.

Double up your sleeping pad to reduce heat loss. Try placing a closed closed-cell foam pad (with a reflective layer) beneath your air mattress to increase R-Value. If you only have one pad, use a Mylar blanket or yoga mat to form a greater barrier between you and the cold ground. If you own a bivy sack, you can wrap it around your sleeping bag.

Let it flow

Do you know what I loathe? Waking up at 3 AM and asking myself, “Can I clench my bladder for another 4 hours, or do I have to go outside and empty it?” Opening my sleeping bag and letting out all of that lovely warmth within it is painful. The other thing I dislike is putting on my shoes and stumbling around in the dark before I even get to relieve myself.

Simple answer: Pee before going to bed. Even if you don’t have to, try to. Some folks also recommend having a wide-mouthed bottle in your tent to pee into, should the need arise. I don’t think I can do that next to my wife, though. It just seems weird. Plus, the risk of an icky spill seems too great.

If you must go pee in the middle of the night, go immediately. The quicker you get it over with the faster you can get back to a restful sleep.

Use body heat

Do you know who’s hot? My wife. Seriously. The first time we slept in the same bed, I couldn’t get over how warm I felt. It took a good while before I started to adjust to the increased temperature under the covers. So, if you need to turn up the heat quickly, zip your sleeping bags together.

The above approach comes with added “benefits”. However, if you ate beans around the campfire, this form of cocooning can come with some downsides, too. If you’re looking for a similarly warm but less fart-sensitive soul to snuggle up with, perhaps consider your dog.

Work with your sleeping bag

If the temperatures are on the colder side, consider using a mummy bag that’s adequately rated. I wouldn't say I like how constrained I feel in this sort of sleeping bag, but they do trap the heat nicely.

Shake your bag upside down when you first take it out of its bag. Doing so will help increase the bag’s loft, maximizing the bag’s insulating properties. It also moves some of the down within it closer to your torso, where you want to retain the heat most.

Just be sure to zip up fully and tighten the hooded area. This is called a draft collar. Doing so will prevent warm air from escaping. Don’t go too far, though! Breathing into your bag will result in condensation, making the bag damp.

Breaking the seal

It doesn’t matter how strong you are. Unzipping that sleeping bag on a cold morning can be a challenge for anyone. Once you do, though, you get to breathe in the crisp air, take in your beautiful surroundings, and feel a million miles away from your day job. So, don’t hold off.

If you anticipate a cold morning, take a moment out (the night before) to prepare. Put the next day’s clothing aside so it’s ready to go. You can also sleep with your boot liners in your sleeping bag. That way, they’ll be warm in the morning.

If you want to “cheat” a bit, you can try getting dressed in your sleeping bag. (Admittedly, this is not so easy in a mummy bag.) The associated shuffling and contortions will get your blood moving.

Ways to Keep Your Family Safe When Camping Off-Season is the next installment in our Fall Camping Guide.

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Damn, Denis Degioanni! That’s one nice photo! 💯

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