“I get cold easily, so when I decided to start camping in colder weather a couple of years ago, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to stay warm at night,” says Linda Åkeson McGurk, an expert on friluftsliv, the Nordic tradition of “open-air life.” 

“I ended up buying the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX Sleeping Pad because of its high insulating value and advantageous weight-to-warmth ratio, and I wasn’t disappointed,” she says.  

The pad features ThermaCapture technology, which means once it traps heat, it keeps it so you stay warm and toasty all night long. 

“It’s one of the more expensive pieces of camping equipment I’ve bought, but if you sleep out a lot in cold weather, the comfort is definitely worth the steep price tag,” Linda says.

“When selecting a sleeping pad for cold-weather camping, comfort isn't the only thing you have to take into account,” Pacific Northwest-based outdoor recreation travel content creator and blogger Gwyneth Manser says. “Did you know sleeping pads have different insulation values? Known as 'R-value,' higher R-value pads go a long way in making sure you don't lose your heat to the cold ground.” 

She turns to this one to keep her off the chilly ground. “I've used the REI Co-op Helix Insulated Air Sleeping Pad on several snowy backpacking trips – it's kept me comfortable and warm,” says Manser.  

Best of all for when you’re tired after a long day of hiking? “It also comes with a pump sack, which makes it easy to inflate,” she says.

Just because it’s chilly out doesn’t make it any less important to stay hydrated. Manser’s go-to essential for camping? REI Co-op Nalgene Sustain Graphic Wide-Mouth Water Bottle. 

Although Manser knows Nalgene bottles are famous as the OG hydration solution on hikes, she likes to use hers to stay warm. 

“A popular backpacking hack (which also works great for camping!) is to fill the small 16-ounce Nalgene with hot water you boil on a camp stove or above a fire. Bring it to bed with you and it acts like a mini hot water bottle, helping to warm you up,” Manser says.

“A reliable firestarter is one of the most important tools you can have outdoors,” says Marusya Shiklina, outdoor adventurer and influencer. 

“I always carry Black Beard Fire Plugs with me because they make it fast and easy to start a fire, even in wet or difficult conditions,” Shiklina says. “They ignite from a small spark, burn for a long time, and help catch both dry and damp wood without wasting energy.”  

“Being able to create fire quickly means warmth, food, and comfort when you need it most,” Shiklina says (AKA when it’s coffeetime on a chilly spring morning).

“Venustas’ heated socks turned out to be a surprisingly useful piece of modern camping gear for me,” Shiklina says. “They’re especially helpful during long hours at camp when you’re not moving much and want to stay comfortable without wearing heavy, bulky footwear.” 

“While they do need to be charged, the battery easily lasts most of the day on low or medium settings,” Shiklina says. “They add a level of comfort that really helps you conserve energy and enjoy the experience more.”

“Good sleep is essential when you’re camping, especially if you want to feel strong and energized the next day,” Shiklina says. After all, who wants to get up for a 6 AM hike after spending the whole night awake and freezing?

“The Sea to Summit Spark Down Sleeping Bag offers an excellent balance of warmth and lightweight design thanks its premium down insulation and a mummy shape that traps heat efficiently,” she says. 

Plus, “it packs down small, doesn’t add unnecessary weight, and helps create a truly comfortable sleep setup outdoors,” Shiklina adds.

“Most people aren't aware that batteries have lower performance in cold temperatures,” says travel blogger Claire Fleming of Everywhere With Claire. That’s why she relies on the Anker Power Bank when temperatures drop during early mornings and late nights.

“While a full charge on my cell phone can typically last me more than 24 hours in the summer months, it doesn’t make it through the night once it’s cold,” Fleming says. “For that reason, I always carry this backup battery because of the extra power.” 

It has thoughtful features like two-way USB-C charging, so you can recharge the power bank with the same cord. It’s also scratch-resistant and durable enough to handle drops from a few feet.

“This is also my favorite because it’s slim enough to fit in my pocket,” Fleming says, making it easy to travel with and keep in your pocket for quick access.