From the Archives -- Winter Camping Gear
January 15, 2008, 9:27 am
Few outdoor pursuits draw such strong reaction as winter camping. The idea of laying down in the snow, closing your eyes and going to sleep is a ridiculous concept for most of the population.
But modern equipment for winter camping, including puffy sleeping bags, pads, shelters and bivy sacks, makes the task more bearable. From the Gear Junkie Archives, here’s my review of several winter camping products to keep you warm sleeping outdoors any time of the year. . .
http://thegearjunkie.com/winter-camping-equipment-sleep-gear
Or, for a different take on winter camping, check out this Gear Junkie Adventures story on my trip a couple winters back to ski and camp (in January) in Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park: http://thegearjunkie.com/adventure-yurt-ski-trip
Shop the Gear Junkie store »
- Weekly E-Newsletter
Sign up for our e-news for a weekly update on new gear, adventure travel, and prize giveaways.
- Featured: General
- 'Off The Map' Video Series
- Vending Machine & Repair Kiosk for Bikes
- Review: Bear Grylls Knife
- Featured: Running
- PEAR Square One Review
- Review: MOTOACTV Fitness Tracker
- The Ultimate Barefoot Running Shoe Guide
- Skora Goat Leather Minimal Running Shoes
- Featured: Biking
- Fixed-Gear Bike: Wabi Cycles Lightning
- Kona Paddy Wagon Single Speed Bike
- Raleigh Rush Hour Single Speed Bike
- Jamis Commuter 4
- Latest Articles
- Bike Across the USA, Build Houses Along the Way!
- Interview With a Bear: Grylls Talks to GearJunkie on New Clothing Line
- Denver Cruiser Ride is Rolling Party Each Wed. Night
- Swiss Army Knife Sunglasses
- Rocky Mountain High: GearJunkie Writer Commits to 120-Mile Race
- Back From The Tour of California
- UV-Blocking Bike Jersey Eliminates Need for Sunscreen
- 'You Only Live Once' (So do it Right!)
- Seriously, What's Up with Fixed-Gear Freestyle?
- Anker Cancels 'West Ridge' Climb on Everest
- Popular Articles
- World's 10 Most Dangerous Mountains
- Interview With a Bear: Grylls Talks to GearJunkie on New Clothing Line
- Swiss Army Knife Sunglasses
- 'Stealth Mode' Bikewear from Search and State
- Bike Across The USA, Build Houses Along the Way!
- Seriously, What's Up with Fixed-Gear Freestyle?
- Denver Cruiser Ride is Rolling Party Each Wed. Night
- SylvanSport GO Camper Trailer Review
- Survival Gear: 10 Items To Survive
- Technology & Gadget Reviews | Gear Reviews
- Vibram gets 'Naked'
- Rocky Mountain High: GearJunkie Writer Commits to 120-Mile Race
- Biking Gear Topics & Reviews | Gear Reviews
- Best Gear of 10 Years!
- Extreme! 4-Wheel Pedal Bike
- Backpack Reviews | Gear Reviews
- Bike Across the USA, Build Houses Along the Way!
- UV-Blocking Bike Jersey Eliminates Need for Sunscreen
- Center-Mounted Child Bike Seats
- Bear Grylls Knife
- Running & Outdoor Shoes | Gear Reviews
- Off The Map | Sponsored by Yakima | GearJunkie.com
- Stove Burns Wood, Charges USB-Powered Gadgets on Side
- 'Secret' Fat-Tire Trials Bike from Surly
- Friends of Gear Junkie
- Monopoint Media
- The Goat
- Alpinist
- Adventure Blog
- YogaSlackers
- Checkpoint Tracker
- Outdoorzy
- Get Outdoors
- Gear Flogger
- Feed The Habit
- Gear.com
- Adventure Journal
- SuperTopo
- Trailspace
- Outside Online
- iRunFar.com
- UpADowna
- About Adventure Travel
- Cold Splinters
- UpNorthica
- Sender Films
- Venture There
- Wend Magazine
- No Boundaries
- Breathe Magazine
- Elevation Outdoors
- Rock and Ice Magazine
- Trail Runner Magazine







My three-season Coleman Sundome, 7’x7’ is a cheapie but works great. It’s not at all light, but I’ve shlepped it all over, up and down steep climbs, etc. While it’s not windproof (a bummer but tolerable), with the rainfly it’s quite good in the wet and dry snow. My only qualm is that it gets a bit steamy/damp inside sometimes, even with the windows a tiny bit open and ceiling-vent —how do you keep it dry inside?? the best thing??? It’s got the bathtub floor and that provides waterproof and windproof around the bottom six inches (basically at sleeping bag level). Also, with the right sleeping bag, right clothing layers, etc., I’ve never had better nights’ sleep than in my tent in the dead of winter.