The best and most comfortable time for sleeping out in a tent is surely the period between the beginning of spring and the first weeks of fall, but when the SHTF and situations dictate, you will have no option but to bug out and will have to use your survival tent or one man bivvy irrespective of the time of year, or the inclement weather conditions and temperatures.
A good quality cold weather tent will certainly help your situation and will make an enforced winter camping as comfortable as it can be, but when the temperatures really start to plummet you may well need to improve upon your tents insulation also.
Here are a few tips on how to insulate your tent to make it suitable for winter camping.
Use a Tent of the Right Size – Smaller is Better
Getting the tent that is large enough to accommodate the number of people who will use it, but has little spare space left when everybody occupies sleeping position is the best way to stay warm in your tent in winter because smaller spaces are easier to warm, and to keep warm.
Use Ground Insulation
Blankets,towels, rugs, self-inflatable air bags and ground mats are great not only for making your sleep more comfortable, but for locking in the heat as well. You can get a special, inflatable mat to keep you from the cold – these mattresses are thin, which means that your body heat will be quickly transferred to the pillow of air inside and they are made from a special material that prevents the heat from escaping.
Cover the Tent
You can also use a large blanket or foil to cover the tent on the outside– any impermeable material will do, if you don’t have any special tarp, you can use a large piece of sturdy plastic foil. The cover will not only prevent rain and snow from getting in, but will also stop the air that you have already warmed inside the tent from escaping.
Pitch Your Tent in a Sheltered Area
Using the protection provided by natural windbreaks, such as large, thick shrubs or a rock formation that stops the wind from blowing through your tent makes all the difference – the temperature in areas that get no wind can be much higher than in the open, windy field.
Use a Suitable Sleeping Bag
A special sleeping bag made from goose down is the best way to keep warm in your tent in winter. The best choice is a mummy-style bag that provides protection for your head as well. These great, modern bags are very lightweight, they can be folded really small and they provide sufficient space to use heat packs, too – these great little packs collect your body heat to warm up and then they release the heat, making your sleeping bag more comfortable.
Insulate Yourself
Wearing multiple layers of thermal clothes, including thermal underwear is the best way to stay warm not only inside your tent, but also during the day, while you are walking, hiking or climbing in a cold environment. Thermal clothing is made from special, elastic materials that make them comfortable to wear and make sure that they keep warmth in while also allowing your skin to breath, making sure that your entire body, especially your feet stay warm and dry.
Thermal clothes are also very thin and they can be folded very small,allowing you to pack multiple sets for your trip.
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- How to Insulate a Tent for Winter Camping
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How to Insulate a Tent for Winter Camping – Pin
