How to Choose the Best Winter Camping Tent: Focusing on Maximum Comfort

Did you know that camping ranked in the top 4 most popular outdoor activities from 2009 to 2016?

40.5 million people enjoyed the pleasures of camping in 2016 alone.

This shows just how enticing the beauty and serenity of the great outdoors can be. As winter sets in and you’re getting ready for your next camping trip, you’ll want to consider your camping tent wisely.

Let’s take a look at how you can choose the best winter camping tent for your next campout.

1. Water Resistant Winter Camping Tent

Whether it’s rain, snow, sleet or dew, your camping tent needs to be able to brave the moist and melting elements during the winter months.

Choosing the right gear can make all the difference between an enjoyable, cozy night in your tent and a miserable, dampened camping experience.

Winter Tent Flooring

You’ll want to be sure to invest in a water-tight flooring for your tent.

And you’ll also need a feature that allows for any melting snow and sleet to exit your flooring. These features are usually called snow ports, and they are vital to a restful night in your winter tent.

Winter Tent Shape

A proper winter tent will be shaped to allow snow to easily slide off of the top. This way, the accumulated snow won’t begin to weigh down your tent’s ceiling and eventually wear out your tent’s fabric.

You need a winter tent that can withstand wet conditions without compromising the integrity of the tent.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions of your salesperson before you buy your camping tent. Make sure you know exactly what your winter tent features to keep you dry and warm throughout the night.

2. Wind Shield Winter Camping Tent

While the temperature might read 37 degrees in the forecast, the wind chill factor can cut right through the predicted temperatures.

Even if you’re camping on a budget, you’ll want to invest in protection from the wind. This protection should extend beyond your sturdy coats, gloves, and hats to adequately shielded tent space.

Thicker Walls And Lower to the Ground

Winter tents typically have thicker walls for solid insulation and the safeguarding from the brutal wind at sub-zero temperatures.

A good winter tent will also be lower to the ground to help wind flow over and around it rather than catching it. You’ll want to make sure your winter tent is equipped with these features for a pleasant winter camping experience.

3. Backpacking Winter Camping Tent

If you’re a hardcore backpacker, you’ll want to find a winter tent that is durable and protective. But that’s also light enough for you to fold into a backpack and carry with you on your hike.

Breathability and Lightweight

You’ll want a backpack that’s breathable and lightweight, while also being water-proof and sufficiently insulated for the chilly night air. This is no easy feat to find.

There are sturdy backpack tents that fold into incredibly tiny pouches. And they’re perfect for the hiker who never knows where they’re going to stop for the night.

A good rule of thumb is to find someone who has used a winter tent for purposes similar to yours. Ask around or, better yet, ask the salesperson for testimonials.

4. Storm Safeguard Winter Camping Tent

If you’re going to be camping for many days, the weather can be unpredictable. The forecast can say sunshine and clear skies, but it can change in an instant. And you don’t want to be caught unawares.

Winter Storms

Be prepared with a sturdy storm-proof camping tent. If you’ve ever been camping during a thunderstorm in the summertime, it’s no match for what a winter storm can do.

Snow, Wind, and Ice

With the added elements of snow, frigid wind and ice, you’ll have your work cut out for you to stay warm and dry during a winter storm.

Bring a sealable plastic bag with extra dry clothes in case yours get wet, as well. Damp clothes can drop your body temperature to an alarmingly low level.

Also, be sure to use a sub-zero sleeping bag and bring extra blankets. Even if the forecast predicts above freezing temperatures, anything can happen.

You can always throw off extra blankets.

5. Flame Retardant Winter Camping Tent

Camping in the winter months means you’ll be doing just about everything you can to stay warm. This may even include pitching your tent a little too close to the campfire.

Be sure to invest in a flame-resistant camping tent. Even a winter tent pitched a safe distance away can become a victim of the rogue ash carried by the wind.

Whenever you make a campfire, always check the wind direction for just such reasons. And don’t make the fire right beside your tent.

6. High Altitude Winter Camping Tent

If you’re an off the beaten path-type person, you may want to take your camping trip to the next level by choosing a mountain site at high altitude.

High altitude camping is very different from ground level camping. The altitude affects both the oxygen your body has access to and the temperatures you’re likely to face.

You’ll likely want to do a test run, especially if you’ll be hiking a long distance from civilization. Try your new tent pitched out in your own backyard. Notice how well it’s insulated, protective from wind and moisture.

Then do the math, and imagine how your tent would fare with minus however many degrees you’ll be up against. It’s a good idea to subtract an extra 5 degrees just to be safe.

Choosing the Best Winter Camping Tent

Whether you’re camping in your own backyard, a state park or up a mountain at high elevation, you’ll want to be sure your tent has all the needed features for the elements.

If you’re looking for a high-quality winter camping tent for your next camping trip, check us out today.