The Best Cold Weather Camping Gear
Luke Cuenco 02.24.25
Camping in the summer is all well and good but for me, the real camping takes place in the winter. While I’ll avoid an outright blizzard, there’s just something about being surrounded by the woods and snow that brings an extra layer of enjoyment out of the experience of spending some time out with mother nature away from the cities and suburbs. If you’re like me and you want to get out there this winter while it’s still good and cold, you’ll have to gear up properly with some proper cold-weather camping gear. So today we’ll go over some essentials I’d recommend if you’re planning on making a reservation out in the cold wilds.
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The Best Cold Weather Camping Gear
Big Agnes Echo Park 20 Sleeping Bag
Product Link: https://www.bigagnes.com/products/echo-park-twenty
The Big Agnes Echo Park 20 Sleeping Bag is great if you’ve ever woken up at 2 a.m. cursing your sleeping bag because your toes felt like icicles. The Echo Park 20 features a roomy design and synthetic insulation that’s loftier than many of its competitors in the same price range and in addition to that, this bag excels at trapping heat without making you feel like you’re baking yourself alive.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Roomy Cut: Plenty of space to shift around if you’re a restless sleeper.
- Synthetic Insulation: Maintains warmth even when damp or in humid environments.
- Thermally Efficient: The oversized draft tubes and collar help seal in body heat.
- Compatible with Pads: A padded sleeve keeps your sleeping pad in place, avoiding those uncomfortable midnight slide-offs.
Some Drawbacks
- Heavier and bulkier than comparable down bags.
- Not quite as toasty in subfreezing temps; consider layering up in extra-cold conditions.
- Pretty expensive for a person who only camps once or twice a year
Perfect For
This sleeping bag is pretty great for car campers and occasional backpackers who want a dependable cold-weather bag that balances comfort and price. If you want a sleeping bag that’s easy to move around in but still keeps you warm when temps drop into the 20s, this is a fantastic pick that’s nice and cozy.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad
Product Link: https://cascadedesigns.com/products/neoair-xtherm-nxt-sleeping-pad
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad Cold Weather Camping Gear Sleeping pads aren’t just for comfort—they’re crucial to keeping you insulated from the cold ground. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm packs in top-notch insulation, yet it remains impressively lightweight for its level of warmth.
What Makes It Stand Out
- High R-Value: One of the warmest inflatable pads on the market, preventing heat loss to the frozen ground.
- Ultralight & Compact: Rolls down to a compact size, keeping your pack weight manageable.
- Reflective Layers: Traps radiant heat for extra warmth in subzero environments.
- True 4-season performance: This is a sleeping pad that’s good for anytime of the year but does really well in cold weather tests
Some Drawbacks
- Premium price tag might be overkill for casual or fair-weather campers.
- Can be a bit crinkly/noisy if you shift around a lot while sleeping.
- Similar to the sleeping back the pad is on the more expensive side of the gear spectrum for an inflatable insulated pad
Perfect For
Backpackers who venture out in truly frigid conditions and need maximum insulation without a ton of weight. If you’re a four-season hiker or camper, this pad will be your bed away from home all year round and even comes complete with several handy patch kits so you can do minor repairs in the field.
MSR WhisperLite Universal Stove
Product Link: https://cascadedesigns.com/products/whisperlite-universal-stove
https://cascadedesigns.com/products/whisperlite-universal-stoveMSR WhisperLite Universal Stove Cold Weather Camping Gear A reliable camp stove can mean the difference between a hot, comforting meal and a hard tacky box of protein or trailbars. The MSR WhisperLite Universal stove is known for its durability and efficiency, especially in cold temperatures where some stoves struggle. Hot meals are an excellent and instant mood booster when you’re out camping or even hiking in the cold weather so don’t ignore your food needs!
What Makes It Stand Out
- Multi-Fuel Compatibility: Runs on white gas, kerosene, and canisters, giving you flexibility in remote locations.
- Stable & Wind-Resistant: The low-profile design and sturdy pot supports keep your cooking steady.
- Easy to Maintain: Replacement parts are widely available, and the stove itself is straightforward to clean and service.
Some Drawbacks
- Bulkier than minimalist stoves; may not be ideal for ultralight backpackers.
- Canister performance drops off in extreme cold; liquid fuel is usually better in subzero temps but this should be good for most casual winter camping.
Perfect For
A slightly more capable yet still compact stove, the MSR Whisperlite definitely beats the pants off of my smaller more portable Pocket Rocket. Winter campers and backcountry explorers who need a stove that won’t quit when the mercury plummets will enjoy this universally loved camp stove system. If you value versatility in fuel options, the WhisperLite Universal is hard to beat.
KÜHL Arktik Jacket
Product Link: https://www.kuhl.com/kuhl/mens/outerwear/ms-arktik-jacket/?color=Olive
A solid jacket will go a long way in not only keeping you protected from the elements, but warm and comfortable during all phases of your winter camping trip. I’ve used a jacket almost 100% identical to the Arktik for years now and it has by far been the best cold-weather jacket I’ve ever used in my entire life. The exterior is made from a combination of weatherproof fabrics that keep the elements out without bulking you up too much. The interior of the jacket is also lined with synthetic fleece giving you an extra layer of insulation while still giving you room to wear more layers underneath it for extremely cold conditions.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Reliable Waterproofing: Omni-Tech fabric keeps water out while maintaining breathability.
- Adjustable Features: A drawcord-adjustable hem and Velcro cuffs help seal out drafts.
- Budget-Friendly: Less expensive than many dedicated hard shells, yet it still performs nicely in wet or snowy conditions.
Some Drawbacks
- Not heavily insulated on its own—requires a warm mid-layer in very cold temps.
- Fit can be a bit boxy for some body types – it works perfectly for me
- Quite expensive
- Wax cotton will require some extra TLC compared to other waterproof synthetic fibers
Perfect For
This is another expensive jacket but it’s one I don’t think I’ll ever replace in my lifetime. It’s perfect for outdoorsmen who need a dependable, packable rain shell that can layer over fleece or other mid-layers for cold weather. It’s a great addition to any winter camping outfit, especially if you’re conscious about both cost and functionality.
Seirus Xtreme All-Weather Edge Gloves
When you’re out in freezing temps and still need to tie knots, fiddle with zippers, or handle cooking gear, a bulky ski mitt or glove just won’t cut it – especially if you’re also checking in with your friends and family on your phone. That’s why I like the Seirus Xtreme All Weather Gloves— they’re built to keep your hands warm without sacrificing the dexterity you need to use the most common camping tools. While they’re not the thickest or most insulated gloves out there, they kinda make up for this by having a waterproof, membrane that keeps moisture out and away from your hands.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Slim Design & Dexterity: Despite being weatherproof and insulated, these gloves remain trim enough to let you fine-tune a camp stove or zip up your jacket without removing them.
- Xtreme Waterproof/Breathable Membrane: Seirus’ proprietary shell helps block wind and moisture while allowing sweat to escape, so you’re not stuck with clammy hands.
- Touchscreen Compatibility: Some models include conductive fingertips, so you can check your phone or GPS without exposing your hands to the cold.
Some Drawbacks
- Fit Variability: These gloves can feel snug on people with broader hands—try them on or check sizing carefully before buying. I prefer to have my fingers fit almost perfectly inside gloves and I will often opt for a slightly smaller pair that I can break in for better dexterity.
- Less Insulation than Bulky Winter Gloves: While they do a solid job for most cold-weather camping, you might need an additional liner if you’re dealing with sub-zero temps for extended periods and this will also defeat any dexterity you have with these gloves.
- Higher Price Point: You pay a bit more for both the waterproof membrane and slim profile, though they typically last multiple seasons with proper care.
Perfect For
Campers and hikers who prize dexterity as much as warmth, or anyone who wants a glove that doesn’t get in the way of day-to-day winter tasks. If you plan to spend a lot of time around camp cooking, setting up gear, or making adjustments to your tent without constantly yanking your gloves off, the Seirus Xtreme All Weather Gloves deliver solid protection and comfort.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to cold-weather camping, the right gear can make all the difference between a thrilling winter experience and a miserable, frostbite ordeal. Each of these items that I currently use for winter camping or have had in the past as part of my regular setup. While these are indeed all great items for “cold weather” camping, I wouldn’t recommend them for those who are venturing up into alpine conditions or who are planning on braving sub-zero temperatures. Let us know what your favorite cold-weather camping gear is as well as what other types of helpful outdoor lifestyle gear roundups you’d like to see here on OutdoorHub.com!
