For Scouting magazine’s January issue, GearJunkie collaborated with the publication to assemble a tutorial on winter camping, the “Eight winter gear items to help keep you warm.”
Scouting is the magazine for the Scout leaders, not the boys, so these ideas are mainly oriented toward grownups. Check out the spread below if you have plans to tromp into the woods this winter and camp under the stars. —Stephen Regenold
1. Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoody — Thick baffles of goose down give this jacket its loft and enough warmth to fight below-zero air. $195, www.outdoorresearch.com/transcendent/
2. Kelty Mistral Minus-20 Sleeping Bag — At 6.6 pounds, the Mistral is a bit of a lug. But its reasonable price and a minus-20-degree rating combine to make it a good buy. $89.95, www.kelty.com/mistral
3. REI Cirque ASL 2 Tent — Built for year-round use, this hybrid tent offers a stout winter-proof design and a manageable pack weight of 5.6 pounds. $269, www.rei.com/cirque-ASL
4. Mountain Hardwear Spearhead Mitts — Kevlar stitching and a durable pigskin palm set the waterproof/breathable Spearhead Mitts apart. Removable polyester-fleece liner. $100, www.mountainhardwear.com/spearhead
5. Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol — An aluminized surface treatment on this foam sleeping pad reflects body heat, upping its warmth for winter nights. $35, www.cascadedesigns.com/z-lite
6. Outdoor Products Insulated Water Bottle Holder — Keep your water in its drinkable liquid state with this foam case. Fits a standard 1-liter water bottle. $14, www.rei.com/outdoor-insulated
7. Kamik Keystone G Boots — Lace up for a winter trek or a snowshoe trip with these insulated leather boots. A Gore-Tex membrane offers a waterproof shield. $240, www.kamik.com/keystone
8. MSR Evo Snowshoe — A rigid plastic deck and steel “traction rails” on the bottom for grip make the Evo snowshoes distinctive. $100, www.cascadedesigns.com/msr
—Stephen Regenold is founder of GearJunkie and a lifelong winter camper from Minnesota. See the full story in Scouting magazine here: “Eight winter gear items to help keep you warm.”
