Stay Warmer During Winter Camping Adventures With This Simple, Low-Tech Tent Hack

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Camping is a fantastic way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. No Wi-Fi, the sounds of birds chirping in the trees, and just the pure relaxation of being surrounded by nature. While camping is mostly done during warmer months, some folks ready to brave the cold are looking for awesome snow camping spots to pitch their tents in the winter. Camping during the chilly months does require taking some added precautions, such as preparing for unexpected bad weather while outdoors and finding additional ways to stay warm. One simple, low-tech hack may be a game changer for staying warmer while winter camping: insulate your tent floor with a rug.

In an r/camping subreddit thread, campers aren't only pitching tents; they're also pitching ideas to help fellow outdoor enthusiasts stay warm during winter camping. "I found a couple tent rugs on Amazon that work really well," says Redditor u/ITrCool. "They roll up and strap, for easy carrying and storage." Another Redditor, u/Elk_Huntr, mentions that "For 10 – 14 day elk camps I roll a cheap 10x10 house rug out. It's nice to not have to put bare feet on a plastic floor when it's 15 degrees."

While your friends might think you're a little "out there" for wanting to camp outdoors in some of the most amazing snow camping destinations, like the Rocky Mountains, you've managed to learn a simple tip for sleeping comfortably while camping, even during the winter. Lining the floor area of your tent with a rug acts as an insulation method that not only keeps you toasty, but can actually help save your life by preventing hypothermia from setting in.

There are many survival skills that everyone should know, and knowing how to insulate your tent properly to stay warm is definitely one of them — especially during the winter. As the famous Icelandic saying goes: "There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing," and the same logic applies to camping gear. With the right type of outdoor equipment and additional planning, you can extend summer camping well into the winter and still be comfortable.

Using a rug or even a wool blanket to insulate the tent floor is vital to keeping yourself warm, since the cold winter ground can quickly rob you of body heat. Not only will a non-insulated tent floor make you feel chilled to the bone, but it may also be a root cause of sore and stiff joints the following day, which is never a good feeling. Purchasing an affordable rug or blanket and placing it on your tent floor (and even on your tent walls) can also reduce condensation and dampness, which can build up inside the tent from your breath.

For an extra layer of protection between your body and the cold ground, these puzzle piece foam gym tiles on Amazon are a cost-effective way to make camping more cozy. And they can easily break apart, so they don't take up a lot of space during transport. Place these along the floor of your tent (or even your car for car camping), and layer on some rugs or thermal blankets to instantly turn your tent into a warm and inviting glamping experience.