Yes, wall tents offer a great camping experience in the backcountry. However, winter camping can be challenging in extreme conditions.
The key to successful winter camping is insulation. Insulation stops heat transfer and traps body warmth inside. Insulation materials should feature both air pockets and reflective abilities. These are best for tent walls and roofs.
Build a Snow Windbreak
Using snow itself to create a barricade against the wind can help protect your tent from damage and colder air. Make the wall high enough to stop the winds but not too high so it doesn’t topple over on itself. This is a fun way to embrace the spirit of winter camping and will also add a bit more insulation to your tent.
The location of your camp site plays an important role in tent insulation as well. Look for a place that has a natural wind break like dense trees or shrubs. These areas will trap warm air inside and prevent it from blowing away.
Insulation is any material that stops or slows heat transfer, so it’s important to use it wherever possible. Tent walls are particularly prone to heat transfer and should be covered in the best insulation you can find. This will keep the cold air from entering your tent and prevent body heat from escaping.
Put a Bivvy Sack on Your Sleeping Bag
Winter camping is a challenge but it doesn’t have to be unbearably cold. By using a few simple hacks to insulate your tent, you can avoid frigid fingers and frosty air through the night.
Insulation works by stopping or slowing heat transfer. To do this, the material must be breathable enough to allow water vapor produced by your body to pass through it.
The most effective insulation materials are made from a combination of wool, silk, and cotton blends. If you don’t have any of these available, use a layer of dried leaves, pine needles, or straw to create an insulating mat beneath your sleeping bag. This will also help prevent cold air currents from distributing your body heat into empty space beneath you. If you’re planning to sleep in a bivvy, choose a design that allows you to crawl in feet first or that has a side-entry. These designs are easier to get in and out of than a front entry hooped bivy.
Put a Tarp Footprint
Wall tents embody the spirit of adventure and comfort in the great outdoors. Their durable frames and sturdy materials make them a go-to choice for hunting trips, camping with family and winter retreats. However, they need to be properly prepared for winter camping to maximize their performance and durability.
Investing in a quality tarp footprint is one of the most important things you can do for your wall tent for winter camping. This durable tarp sits under your tent, creating an insulating barrier between the cold ground and your tent. This prevents moisture and precious body heat from escaping downwards.
Many manufacturers offer tarp footprints that are designed to fit specific sizes of wall tents. These are a quick and easy way to prepare your tent for the winter camping season.
Insulate the Roof
The roof of a wall tent is the most difficult part to insulate. This is because of the large area that radiates heat and the amount of heat required to warm the space. There are several ways to insulate the roof of a wall tent. You can make a tarp to cover the roof or you can use blankets of insulating material. You can sew or velcro the blankets in place before you pitch your tent and you can also use foil foam sheets to line the tent’s ceiling.
The air pockets that are trapped in snow make it an hiking boots excellent insulator. This is why wild animals and even stray dogs will often burrow in the snow when it’s cold outside. It’s also the reason that Inuit people made igloos to live in for months at a time during the winter season. You can apply this idea to your own log cabin, as well. In fact, if you can chink your cabin walls with mud, this will help to keep it warmer.
