10 Must-Have Items for Cold-Weather Camping

• Patagonia Lightweight Snap-T Fleece Pullover, $119

Cuddly but not too heavy, this sweater is perfect for chilly mornings at the campsite. Contrast-color breast pocket and snap-up neck give it a unique, trendy look that would be equally at home in town or in the woods. We also love how it’s Fair Trade Certified and made with 85% recycled polyester.

• The North Face Made in the USA Beanie, $40

You can expect temperatures to be cooler in the mountains, so you’ll want a trusty knit hat like this one to pull out in the evenings. This 100-percent wool beanie is toasty without synthetic fibers and features a leather label patch on the forehead.

• Rumpl Puffy Blanket, from $99

These big, bright, puffy blankets from Rumpl are the ultimate camping luxury when it comes to cuddling up at night. The outer layer is soft ripstop nylon, like a sleeping bag, that repels dirt and water and is easy to wash. Pack it down into its stuff sack for easy transport.

• Smartwool Sulawesi Stripe Socks, $21

Wool socks are great for hiking any time of year, but you’ll especially want to pack some for cold-weather camping. They transition wonderfully between warm days and cool nights to keep your feet comfortable and dry. This beautiful and durable pair are made in the USA from a combination of merino wool, nylon, and elastane.

• GSI Halulite Tea Kettle, $25

On mornings when there’s frost in the air, you’ll probably want a hot drink to jump-start your day. Whether you’re a tea lover or pour-over coffee sort of person, you won’t go wrong with the all-purpose, highly durable, and lightweight GSI Halulite Kettle. The Halulite material has superior heat conductivity so your water will be boiling before you know it.

• Klean Kanteen Insulated Mug, $31

Of course, once you brew your tea you’re going to need a way to drink it. The Klean Kanteen Insulated Thermos will keep it scalding hot for hours—in fact, you might want to let it cool a bit before you screw the cap on or risk burning your tongue! And once you twist on the leak-proof café cup top, you can be sure it won’t spill a drop, even when you toss it in a backpack.

• L.L.Bean Ultralight 850 Down Jacket, $219

A squishy, packable down jacket is always good to have on cold-weather camping trips when there’s a chance the temperature could drop unexpectedly. This slim-fitting jacket from L.L.Bean has a soft, durable nylon shell and is filled with goose down to keep you warm down to 25 degrees during light physical activity and -25 degrees when you’re active.

• Kelty Cosmic Down 20 Sleeping Bag, from $150

For cold-weather camping you’ll definitely need more than a lightweight summer bag. The Kelty Cosmic Down, which comes in men’s and women’s styles, is rated for 20-degree weather and has an affordable price tag. It’s water-resistant and packs down small, making it a great choice for 3-season camping and backpacking.

• REI Flash All-Season Insulated Sleeping Pad, from $129

An insulated sleeping pad will also help keep you from shivering at night during cold-weather camping trips. This all-season model from REI is easy to inflate with a few breaths and keeps its shape all night so you won’t end up on the cold, hard ground at two in the morning. It deflates quickly and packs up into a small stuff-sack, too.

• REI Half Dome 3 Plus, $279

When you have a cozy sleeping bag, insulated pad, and extra blankets, a good 3-season tent will keep you perfectly comfortable during a cold-weather outdoor adventure. The Half Dome from REI is a quilty, no-frills, weather-tight model that won’t disappoint. It has a full rainfly to keep out showers and drafts and is designed to maximize interior space.