Tips for Cold Weather Backpacking

Getting outdoors in cold weather can be invigorating, exciting, and a great place to find solace. The haze of warmer weather falls away exposing crisp mountain views, and you can experience moments of breathtaking silence. 

But, it can also be cold. Really, really cold. And you need to be prepared or things can go sideways. 

Before we go further, just a note on what I mean by cold versus “winter” backpacking. 

This article is for more temperate climates like the mountains of the southeastern United States. Now it does get cold here, but, as a guide, I avoid taking groups out if the temperatures are predicted to go below10 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is because many new backpackers here don’t have the gear they need for single digit temperatures. Twenty and thirty degree sleeping bags are the norm because you can come close to using them year round.

If you need tips for exploring areas where avalanches are a possibility and you can dig out a snow bench to sit on, there are many excellent resources available. These are advanced conditions that require special gear and experience. 

Those of you ready to explore cold weather camping in the mountains of the southeast, well – this is my area so read on!

Be Honest with your Abilities and Preferences

Before you head out, you need to be 100% honest with yourself about your abilities. Everything needs to be planned around what you CAN do, not what you WANT to do. 

In the winter months, daylight is limited and most people find they tend to be a little slower. You’ll take longer to set up camp, take it down, cook, and pick up from breaks.

Fingers don’t work well, toes are frozen, and brains can get a bit foggy.

This means planning shorter mileage during the day, setting up camp earlier than usual, and hitting the trail quickly in the morning. 

Mornings, in particular, will be difficult for some backpackers. You’ll be sitting there in the coldest part of the day, waiting for your water to bowl as your toes freeze. People either pack up fast and get going or sit around unable to get started and feeling miserable.

Backpacking in cold weather requires a lot of mind over matter and pushing through.

So if you’re “not a morning person”, or don’t like being cold, or are relying on a fire every night, then really think about whether or not you will enjoy the experience.

If you’re not sure, plan a shorter trip for your first cold weather adventure, like an overnighter, and see how it goes.   

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Planning Your Trip

Choosing a Location

When planning your first cold weather trip, go somewhere familiar and plan on fewer miles than usual. You’ll likely move slower, and you’ll have less daylight to work with. 

If you can find a location that allows you to push if you’re doing well but has a safety net if you need more time, that would be perfect. 

Can you get to the trailhead? Mountain roads may close if there was inclement weather recently. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great example where sections are closed on a regular basis in the winter.

Plan your water sources. Even if you’re familiar with the area, you need to think differently. Do you usually get water from a little creek that doesn’t move much?  If yes, is there a chance it will be frozen?  What’s your backup plan in this situation?

Also consider the fact that it doesn’t rain as frequently in the winter. Small, less reliable water sources may be dry.

Want to up your Cold Weather game to the next level? Check out our Gear for Cold Weather Backpacking eBook.

Pay Attention to the Weather

Pay attention to the weather and continue to monitor until the night before the trip. Weather can change frequently and you’ll want to stay on top of any last minute updates.

There won’t always be snow on the ground, but that doesn’t mean the conditions won’t be difficult. Pay attention to winds as much as temperature. Wind gusts of even 20 mph in winter can be uncomfortable and slow you down.

Have Systems in Place

I can’t emphasize this enough. You need to have a solid system for setting up and breaking down camp. And a solid system for getting everything in your pack.

In the cold, your hands will become numb quickly and your brain can be foggy. Muscle memory and speed will become important. 

Everything you pack should have its own location in your backpack. Every item goes in the same place, in the same order, every time. You need to be able to pack quickly and without thinking.

You also need to set up and break down camp the same way every time. Tent goes up, sleeping pad inflated, et cetera.   

Safety Measures for Cold Weather Backpacking

Go with someone on your first trip. While the solace of solo backpacking is great, on your first cold weather trip, it’s helpful to have another person and their gear. Redundancies are built-in with two people so you’re covered if something doesn’t work. 

Make sure someone at home knows your plan. They should know where you’re going, what time you’re expected back and the route you are taking. Check in with them when you have a signal on the way home. 

Gear for Cold Weather Backpacking

You don’t need a lot of special gear, but you do need to think through what you’re bringing. And I’m just going to be blunt, your pack will be heavier. Don’t try to reduce your pack down to your summer weight.

You’ll have redundant items, heavier clothing, and heavier gear. That’s just part of the game.

Cold Weather Backpacking Means Packing Redundancies

When you’re getting ready for a winter backpacking trip, your packing list will be a bit different. Besides additional clothing, there are items that don’t like the cold.   

You get the idea.

Want to up your Cold Weather game to the next level? Check out our Gear for Cold Weather Backpacking eBook.

Shelter and Sleeping System

Tent

Your general 3-season tent will work fine in most the conditions you’ll encounter in the Southeastern US. A 4-season tent is only necessary in high winds and areas with excessive snow.

Sleeping Pad

Make sure you have an insulated sleeping pad. You’ll want an R-value of at least 4 to be comfortable if you’re going down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (in my humble opinion).

Forget what you’ve heard about R-values not being standardized and every brand doing their own thing. That all changed in 2020 when new ASTM R-value testing standards were developed and launched.

All brands, starting with 2020 models, should be using the new standard which allow consumers to compare products more easily. While some older models may still be on the shelves, they’ll eventually phase out.

R-values are somewhat additive (see below) so you can stack 2 pads. A closed-cell foam pad like the Thermarest Z-Lite SOL or Nemo Switchback can be laid underneath for extra insulation and you can put your rain gear between the 2 pads. 

One word of caution with stacking sleeping pads and closed-cell foam pads, although you will increase your warmth, you’re not really getting an R-value equal to the sum of both pads. Because they don’t lie flat against each other, there are air pockets, and these gaps allow some of your heat to seep out between the two pads.

Sleeping Bag

When choosing your sleeping bag, plan for 10 degrees below the lowest temperature in the forecast. This will cover you in case the weather changes last minute, or you’re in a windy area, or a sheltered area with minimal sun exposure.

If the lowest overnight temperature is forecast for 20 degrees Fahrenheit, assume 10 degrees.  

The air inside your tent will be a little warmer than the outside temperature, but that doesn’t mean you can push the envelope.

Sleeping Bag Ratings

How do you choose a sleeping bag? Sleeping bag ratings are complicated and I have a more detailed post on them.

Here’s the TL:DR:

Sleeping bags have 3 ratings. You may need to look on the manufacturer’s website, but you should see either EN numbers or ISO numbers. (They’ll have the preface EN or ISO). It doesn’t matter which is used, you can equate the 2 different systems.

You can read the details on the ISO Standard here.

There’s a “comfort” rating, which is where a cold sleeper will be comfortable, a “lower limit” rating, which is where a warm sleeper will be comfortable, and an “extreme” limit which is where a cold sleeper could survive for 6 hours. (You don’t want to be anywhere near that limit and they’re usually pretty far from the comfort level).

The manufacturer can choose which one to put on the label and they can also round. While they usually use the “Comfort” rating for women’s bags, it’s always best to check the website and validate the actual numbers.

You’ll still have to make a bit of a stab in the dark because of the multitude of factors that make everyone unique, you can at least use the values to equate bag to bag.

So if you’re comfortable in a 20-degree sleeping bag in temperatures 25 to 35 degrees, then you’ll want a 0 or 10-degree bag if you’re heading into 10 to 25-degree overnights. (Yes, you’d be fine at 20, but remember the subtract 10 rule from above).

Bags for children, military, and extreme conditions (below -4 degrees F) are not subject to rating. Also, keep in mind that this is a huge oversimplification of the sleeping bag rating system.

Sleeping Bag Tips

Sleeping bags are designed to keep your body heat trapped. Wearing too many layers, or non-breathable clothing traps your heat in your clothing and prevents the bag from doing its job.

Sleeping Bag Liners

These can add additional warmth, but I’ve never found them to be accurate to their labeling. I have the one that says it adds an additional 15 degrees of warmth. It does not. My best guess is its maybe five or six degrees. And for an extra half pound of weight, I’d rather just have the right sleeping bag and clothing.

Food and Kitchen

Bring Extra Food and Think Spicy

You’re going to burn a lot more calories than usual so pack extra food, especially snacks. Keep them readily available so you can eat as you walk. Stopping isn’t a great idea in the cold. You want to keep moving. 

This is also a great time to bring out the spicier food you’ve been saving and some of those soups and stews for dinner.

Breakfast should be warm too. Even something simple like hot oatmeal will give you that extra push in the morning.

The exception to hot food is lunch. I like to have a cold lunch to save time. Every time you stop, you’ll become cold. I try to limit this.

Don’t Cut it Close with the Fuel

Canister fuel will work fine down to about 20 degrees F (and a little lower). You can keep it in the tent with you. 

I wrap it in a sock and put it into the sleeping bag to keep it warm. It can also be wrapped and kept in your pack as long as the pack is in the tent with you. 

Liquid fuel will work in just about any temperature but DO NOT SLEEP WITH IT. Liquid fuel can become extremely cold and you can get frostbite by coming in contact with the canister. Wrap the bottle with duct tape for insulation and protection, and at night wrap it in a sock and keep it in your pack or inside the tent but not in the sleeping bag.

Also, make sure you have more fuel than usual. For a weekend trip, a full 8 oz canister is fine, but if you have one that’s about 1/3 full, you may want an extra. You’ll use a lot more fuel than normal and the canister won’t be as efficient in the cold.

Why do you need more fuel? Inside the canister is a liquid that vaporizes at around 30ish degrees. When you hook up the stove, the pressure in the canister pushes the vapor out and the stove ignites the gas. If it’s too cold and you don’t have enough liquid, the gas won’t want to vaporize and the little that does won’t have enough force to keep a good flame going.

Stoves Can Fail

Most stoves will be fine, but in the cold, they’re slower to light and if there’s dirt they could clog. If you’re with a group, you’ll have redundant stoves so this is a lower risk. By yourself, have a second option.

Also bring waterproof matches. Your fingers may be too numb to work a lighter, and the butane may be too cold to light. Matches are a lot easier to manage when your hands aren’t working properly. 

Water

Water Filter

If the filter freezes, it’s dead. Period. At night, shake all the water out of it, put it in a Ziploc, and bring it in the tent with you. Honestly, you can put it into the sleeping bag as long as it’s sealed and there’s no risk of getting water in the bag with you. 

As a backup, I always bring chemical purifiers with me in the winter. We’ve all had the Sawyer stop up on us and I’m not relying on it as my only way to purify water.

Want to up your Cold Weather game to the next level? Check out our Gear for Cold Weather Backpacking eBook.

Have Plenty of Water to Drink

You will need more water than usual but likely won’t feel as thirsty. It’s important to remember to drink.  You’re expelling a lot of water by breathing and trying to stay warm. 

Prevent Water from Freezing

I use a water bladder and I love it. A lot of people will tell you that water freezes in the tubing and to use bottles. But I have a habit of not drinking unless that hose is right there reminding me, so I picked up a trick from mountain bikers, I blow the water out of the tube and back into the bladder. 

When you’re done drinking, clench the bite valve with your teeth per usual and blow the water instead of drinking it. It works beautifully.

Bladder pouches, whether internal or external, are usually against the back of the pack so your body heat is right there keeping it warm as you hike. I’ve never had an issue with it freezing while hiking. You can purchase the insulating wrap for the tube, but that really doesn’t work well in my opinion. 

At night, I keep my bladder in the tent with me. Make 100% sure to lock the bite valve and seal the top. If you’re worried about it leaking, you can also put it in a plastic bag or dry bag. 

With water bottles, seal them tightly and store them upside down. You can leave them in the side pockets of your pack overnight doing this. Water freezes from the top down so in the morning, you can flip the bottle right side up and you’ll have liquid at the top.

Additional Items

Winter Traction Devices

If there is snow on the ground, there’s also likely ice. It doesn’t hurt to bring some winter traction devices like Yaktraks or NANOspikes. You’ll find it a lot easier, especially on some of the downhills. 

Replace all Batteries with Lithium Versions

Change out every battery you have for lithium. They are more likely to work in colder weather. And pack extras. 

Hand and Toe Warmers

These can be a lifesaver in the evenings as you’re winding down or mornings when you’re having trouble packing. I like to stuff one in each of my coat pockets and just tuck my hands in when they start getting cold between tasks.

Clothing to Wear and Pack for Cold Weather Backpacking

You’re not just packing for cold, you’re packing for wet. Rain, snow, and just plain sweating can soak your clothing. It doesn’t matter if it’s coming from outside or inside, wet is wet and it’s something you don’t want. 

Check out our article on What to wear backpacking for in-depth information on layers and fabrics. 

Your baselayers, the layers touching your skin, must be a wicking material. Under absolutely no circumstances should you ever wear cotton when backpacking in cold weather. This includes socks and underwear.

You’ll want to have layers because you may get warmer as you hike and sun exposure can also create warmth.

It’s best to start hiking a little bit cold and opt to add layers if you need them after fifteen minutes of hiking. Starting out with too many layers means you may sweat early on and you want to stay as dry as possible

What to Wear While Hiking

Long pants. I wear a pair of hiking pants that have a DWR water repellent built in. Bottom baselayers under your pants are optional. In general, I don’t find it cold enough to warrant these. Most people are fine without down to about 15-20 degrees. 

Heavy socks. I like to wear one hundred percent wool socks, but you can get socks that wool blended with synthetics, and synthetic socks. Heavier socks not only keep your feet warm, they help cushion your feet against the cold, hard ground. Some people add sockliners. These are optional depending on your preference.

Waterproof shoes. I’m going to caveat this with, shoes are personal – you’ll have to decide. But I strongly recommend waterproof shoes. All I’m saying is that people who wear non-waterproof trail runners are always complaining their feet are cold and wet. I don’t care what you wear, but if you opt to forgo waterproofing because “it’s too heavy,” then just don’t whine about it.

Dew on the ground will soak your feet in the first 30 minutes of hiking and they may not dry for the entire trip. Gators can help, but they need to be the waterproof ones. Not the ones that just keep dirt out of your shoes

If you’re hell bent on not wearing “heavy” waterproof boots, you can wrap your feet in plastic bags like oven bags, or bread bags. Rubber bands around your ankles usually keep them in place. Your feet won’t be able to breathe and may become red and swollen, but it will keep them warmer.

A short-sleeve base layer  (I like a 150 weight wool shirt). You’ll want this as your bottom layer. Sometimes, with the sun, it warms up and a long sleeve shirt is too much.

A long-sleeve insulating layer (I like a 150 or 250 weight wool shirt – depending on how cold it gets). I almost never wear a long sleeve shirt backpacking, they usually cause me to start overheating. I’ve found a windbreaker is a better option because I can unzip it.

A technical shirt (wind breaker or light fleece).

Gloves. Rain gloves or waterproof mittens to keep your hands dry. Another option is to wear nitrile gloves under your regular gloves. Keep in mind, this removes most breathability and your hands will stew in the sweat which can cause irritated skin. 

I’ve recently found the SHOWA Atlast TEMRES gloves everyone else is talking about and they’re amazing. I wear nitrile gloves underneath for more warmth, but the big blue gloves keep my hands dry when getting water, and in bad rain.

If it’s not raining, I love my Columbia gloves with omni-heat technology. Once my hands are warm, they stay warm, even as I’m using my trekking poles.

Warm hat that covers ears or a hood on one of your shirts.  A hat or hood is one of the easiest ways to help regulate body temperature. If you become hot, you can remove it and quickly tuck it in a pocket while moving. 

Sunscreen. While not clothing, I’m adding it here. Cold weather doesn’t change the fact the sun is still up there with its UVA and UVB rays. Protect yourself.

What to Wear When You Stop and at Camp

Jacket. You can pull on a light fleece and your rain jacket, or have a lightweight coat like a down jacket (puff) handy. You’ll want to layer when you stop, but then remove those layers before heading out. 

Always start hiking a little cold. You’ll warm up quite a bit in the first 5 minutes of hiking and you want to try to minimize the number of times you stop and start. You also want to prevent sweating right out the gate. Obviously you’ll sweat during the day, but preventing it in the first 15 minutes of your day, when it’s still cold out, is important.

Remember, you won’t be comfortable 100% of the time. The goal is to be efficient and safe. 

Clothes for Sleeping in Cold Weather

Always have clothing that is just for sleeping. This is a safety measure. 

If you’re freezing in camp, or you’ve gotten wet, you can count on these items to be something dry to change into, then you can get in your sleeping bag and start to warm up. 

I pack a 250 weight wool long sleeve top and bottoms. 

Always, always, always, have clean, dry socks for sleeping. You can wear these on your last day of hiking to save some weight. 

Down booties are great to add extra warmth to your toes. 

Extra Clothing In Your Pack

This is the one time I have an extra base layer top on hand, and extra base layer bottoms. I usually count on my sleep clothes to double as emergency wear, but when backpacking in the cold, I pack extra base layers. 

I also pack socks for every day if it’s just a weekend trip. Wear a pair on Friday, have a fresh pair for Saturday, and have another pair for sleeping that you hike in on Sunday. 

Want to up your Cold Weather game to the next level? Check out our Gear for Cold Weather Backpacking eBook.

What to do When You Arrive at Camp

Set Up Camp

Once you get to camp, keep moving. 

You’ll want to find a spot for your tent that’s level, but also insulated. This will protect you from wind, snow, freezing rain, and dew. Look for an area in a tree canopy and away from water. 

If there’s snow on the ground, stomp down the snow to create a pad for your tent. You don’t want to pitch on loose snow. 

Set up your tent, get everything unpacked and ready. Blow up your sleeping pad quickly, before you get too cold. Your lips may be a bit numb, and it could be more difficult than usual to blow up your sleeping pad. Don’t panic or get frustrated, just take your time.

You’ll feel your fingers and toes start to chill quickly so you want to get things requiring fine motor skills done fast. If you need to, activate two hand warmers and put them in your pockets. Keep warming your hands as you go.

Have a system. Sound familiar? I’m going to keep talking about this because it’s important.

You need to have a system worked out before you head out on your trip. This comes with experience.

Items are grouped and packed. Each item, every bag, has a specific place in your pack. Everything goes in the pack in the same order, in the same location, every time.

Set up the tent, blow up the sleeping pad, blow up pillow, unpack the sleeping bag, pull out food and cooking items, place water in a specific location, put clothing in its place in the tent, et cetera. 

You need to be working on muscle memory. 

Try to Get a Fire Going and Stay Warm

Once you’re set with shelter, head out for wood and try to get a fire going. It may be difficult to find dry wood, so don’t count on a fire every night, but at least try. Just heading out to gather wood is activity and will help keep you warm. 

You can try using the hand and feet warmers if your fingers and toes begin to feel numb. Keep in mind, they’re designed to be preventative and stop your fingers and toes from getting too cold. If you’re already frozen, they’ll take more time and you may need to move your fingers and toes to help.

You can also do some jumping jacks or jog in place to get your blood flowing. 

Have a hot meal with warm liquid like tea which will brighten your spirits and help warm you up. If you’ve got a fire going – enjoy. 

With no fire, you may have to retire to the tents early and just enjoy some time alone with a podcast, book, or maybe do a little writing. Don’t worry though, you’ll be getting up early. 

The sleeping bag is designed to keep warmth in so it will work best if you’re warm when you get into it. Do some brisk jumping jacks or run in place for 30 seconds to a minute to get your blood flowing and heat up.

Inside the tent, if you feel yourself getting cold, do a few pushups or, if you can manage it, some mountain climbers. Even crunches will work. Anything to help raise your body temperature.

Pull your electronics into the sleeping bag with you so they keep working. It will help preserve the battery life on your chargers and phone.

Breaking Down Camp

In the morning, pull your clothes into the sleeping bag with you for 15 to 20 minutes. They’ll be cold at first, but then warm up. It’s a lot more pleasant getting dressed when your clothes are warm. 

Pack up what you can before exiting the tent. Deflate the sleeping pad and put it in its sack, pack the sleeping bag, et cetera. Get everything in its storage sack, and pack what you can in the backpack.  When you’re done, have a warm breakfast. 

You don’t want to dilly-dally over breakfast. As soon as you finish eating, get your food and kitchen items packed and, while your fingers are still warm, finish your packing.

Your tent poles may be stuck with ice so you’ll need to breathe on them and work them a bit. This is part of why it takes so long to break camp. 

If you find yourself getting cold, take a minute or so to get the blood flowing with more movement like jogging in place. 

Get packed and head out as soon as you can.

Just Go to the Bathroom

We’ve all had that moment when it’s 2 am and the “oh shoot, I have to pee” thought hits. Just go. You can stay in your sleeping bag trying to stall, but you know you have to go.

Generally, I find it’s not as cold or miserable as I made it up to be in my head. Plus, you’ll feel a lot better when you get back in your sleeping bag. Your body isn’t using energy to warm the urine in your bladder anymore.

So just do it.

Summary: Things to think about in cold weather

For those of you that skipped to the end, here’s a quick rundown of the main things to think about when backpacking in cold weather.

Planning

Plan on moving slower than usual so lower your mileage until you know your winter pace.

Try to arrive at camp no later than 3 pm. Sunset will be earlier and it will get progressively colder as dusk settles in.

Think about your water sources carefully. If you always count on a small stream, will it be frozen?  Stop and get water in areas with stronger flow if you’re worried about a usual source.

Things will take a lot longer than usual. Filtering water will be difficult, cooking will take more fuel, gathering wood and starting a fire will be slower, and setting up and breaking down camp will take a lot longer than usual. 

On your first cold weather trip, go for fewer miles and try a short, overnight trip to test your gear and the experience. You can easily ramp up or keep going if you are having fun. 

Pack Redundancies

Have a back-up plan for purifying water in case your filter freezes, and an alternate way to cook in case your stove has issues.

Pack more fuel than you think you’ll need.

Have waterproof matches in case your lighter doesn’t work.

Extra batteries are essential because electronics will fade faster than usual.

Pull Items Into Your Tent at Night to Keep Them Warm

In your tent keep your water (it can be in a dry bag or Ziploc bag) and fuel canister.

In your sleeping bag keep any electronics including your headlamp, phone, and charger.

Manage Your Clothing

Be more careful with your clothing than usual. Always have clean, dry clothes for sleeping. Pack an extra emergency shirt and bottom base layer. You can wear the bottom base layers with your rain pants in an emergency.

Try not to layer up too much at night. Sleeping bags are designed to capture your body heat. If you wear too many layers or have unbreathable layers like rain gear on, they can’t do their job. 

Use rain gear under your sleeping pad if you need additional warmth. 

What a Weekend Backpacking in Cold Weather Looks Like

The Most Important Part of Any Cold Weather Backpacking Trip – Have Fun

Don’t get so bogged down in the details you forget to enjoy the trip. The cold offers a unique experience to see your favorite places in a new light.

Animals are quieter, the views are more pristine, and everything feels more relaxed.

As long as you’re prepared for the experience, you can sit back and enjoy.

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