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When camping season rears its head, the urge to hit the sticks and start roughing it strikes many of us. It is a time in which we can all enjoy the simpler, purer things in life, and the great outdoors can be a majesty to behold.
Sometimes, however, we forget that camping can be a pretty uncomfortable task, especially when the days are blistering and the nights are freezing. It is important then that we all know what we can do to stay as comfortable as possible and keep warm.
This article will highlight several things about how to stay warm when camping in a tent. Preparation is your ally when it comes to camping, and for that, you have come to the right place.
Consider Investing in a Tent Heater
You probably did not need us to tell you that, but tent heaters can obviously be very beneficial in helping you stay warm throughout the night. We will say, however, that it is not a good idea to keep the heater running all night. Instead, let the heater run for a little while before you go to sleep, then shut it off completely just as you go to sleep.
Keep Your Tent Well-Ventilated
Now let us get into some things that may not have been immediately obvious. Keeping your tent well-ventilated may seem counter-intuitive initially, but there is a pretty great reason for us to recommend it.
The heat let off from your body and breath inside the tent can cause a lot of condensation. This can make your tent a bit damp – and thus make you that much colder. This effect is mitigated in a well-ventilated tent, keeping you much warmer all through the night.
Another thing to remember is to try and prevent yourself from becoming sweaty as much as possible. If you awake during the night in a cold sweat, remove some of the layers to keep yourself dry. This, too, will help you stay warm in the long run.
Keep Your Feet Warm
Following on from our previous suggestion, dampness can easily equate to coldness. Therefore, it is important that you keep your socks totally dry before turning in to sleep. This is because socks that are even slightly damp can cause heat loss in your feet. We recommend that you reserve socks designated for sleeping purposes only.
Another suggestion that we can offer: wear layers that can easily be removed if necessary. You do not want to be sweating throughout the night, as we have said. It may be a good idea to invest in a half bag or elephant bag, which is essentially a half sleeping bag for your feet, which you can easily slip in and out of.
Choose the Right Campsite
Your exact geographical location can make a huge difference to your warmth. Avoid low-lying areas where cold air can gather and settle. We recommend that you choose a site that is at least 50 feet above the valley floor and protected from the wind. Of course, we understand that every camping area is different from one another, so make sure you find a reasonably sheltered spot.
Go To Bed Warm
This may seem like another obvious suggestion, but let us explain our reasoning for its inclusion. When your blood is flowing, and your body is active, it warms itself up. You obviously do not want to be having a workout just before bed, but a few aerobic activities can at least get your blood flowing enough to provide you with some natural heat.
Also, if you should wake up feeling more than a little chilly, you can do a few arm or other upper-body exercises so that you do not need to leave your sleeping bag, or even get up if you do not want to.
Don’t Forget About Hot Water Bottles
Our last suggestion may sound like yet another obvious consideration, but hot water bottles can be easily overlooked in the camper’s toolkit.
Heating water when camping is, of course, not as easy as it is at home, but it is still more than possible. We suggest boiling some water shortly before you turn in for the night and then place it in a hydro flask. Any resealable bottle will do, but exercise caution when using a bottle not made for hot water. Keep this with you when you go to sleep, and you will feel much warmer because of it.
Conclusion
Hopefully, with this guide on how to stay warm camping in a tent, you can now consider yourself to be fully prepared to brave the great outdoors. As you can tell by our suggestions, the simple options are sometimes the most effective, not to mention the easiest to implement.
With all said and done, we hope you manage to stay warm on your adventures. Happy camping and enjoy!