Temperatures at night can get pretty cold depending on the time of year, and if you don’t have a four-season or 3+ season tent, you may find that your sleep becomes unbearable. Without dropping the cash for a whole new tent, you may wonder, how do I make my tent warmer?
I did the research and looked at what all the experts recommend. Keeping your tent boils down to inside and outside gear and camping hacks. On the inside, keep things dry and layered. For the outside of the tent, keep things stable and as airtight as possible.
Read on for more details on how to keep your tent warmer.
Table of Contents
OUTSIDE-THE-TENT FIXES
By making sure the tent is stable and as “airtight” as possible you can cut down on the heat loss from the inside of the tent. These are some quick and easy ways to do just that.
ADD A THICKER TARP
Adding an extra layer, such as a full-coverage rain fly or canvas tarp, can do a lot to resist the wind and colder temperatures. I recommend this canvas tarp (check the price on Amazon if you want) for a super-helpful warmth and water-proof combination.
Most 4 season tents which are designed for cold weather have thick and snow-resistant materials. The regular tent you use in the summer may not cut it if the temp decides to dip or you want to extend your camping season. But by adding another layer you can simulate that same quality without paying for an entirely new tent.
Pro-tip: Make sure you use some high-quality tent stakes the right way to ensure the tarp and tent don’t go flying away in the high winds. Check out the link for my article on the topic.
FIND SOME COVERAGE
One of the biggest drawers of heat on a tent is wind and exposed air in general. To combat this, you may want to consider setting up your tent near some large trees or against a hill. By keeping your tent protected on some sides you can stop the heat leakage.
ADD A LAYER FOR INSULATION
We build our houses with insulation between the layers of wood and drywall, why shouldn’t we do the same for our tents? I’m not suggesting you use actually insulation, but a thick and large blanket or comforter (preferably not one that’s a unique family heirloom) stuffed in between the rain fly or tarp and the tent body can do a lot to raise the overall temperature of the tent.
If you’re more worried about keeping yourself warm, this blanket is going to be more useful with you inside the tent. But if you want a way to keep the overall inside temp up this may be worth trying.
INSIDE-THE-TENT-FIXES
When most people are at how to make my tent warmer, it’s because they’re cold at night. The above outside-the-tent fixes can help, but the most effective ways to stay warm involve tricks that can help inside the tent. Read on for these fixes that are usually pretty easy to do.
HIGH-QUALITY SLEEPING BAG
Using a high-quality sleeping bag that insulates well can go a long way to keeping you warm. The close and thick material can reflect your body’s natural heat keeping it nice and toasty.
Look for any sleeping bag that advertises it as cold. Last year, I got this TETON one which you can look at on Amazon. It’s warm, comfy, and as a HUGE bonus, you don’t have to roll it up! It compresses with straps which are really easy to use.
WEAR LAYERS
Put on layers of clothing before you go to bed. The layers work like a good sleeping and keep the heat from your body in. You may want to consider wearing:
- Socks
- Long underwear
- Pajama pants (thick ones)
- Long underwear shirt
- T-shirt
- Long sleeved sweater
- Light jacket or hooded sweatshirt
If I’m honest, I know this works well, but I don’t follow this advice. I prefer to use a combo of the other methods and just sleep in my normal wear, but that’s just me. You decide what you need to do, but this does work.
WEAR A KNITTED HAT
Those knitted hats that are common for wearing outside in winter are also great for keeping things warm in your tent. It may seem odd, but you should wear the hat to bed to help with heat retention.
According to studies done by Live Science, you lose half of your body heat through your head. You can be bundled up to high heaven, but if you’re head is uncovered you’re still losing a lot of heat.
USE A SLEEPING PAD
If you use an air mattress to sleep on, it can get freezing. The air in the mattress is quite bad at retaining heat and the cold air comes up to you from underneath. A thick sleeping pad can stop this chilling a lot.
People who use air mattresses a lot say that a thick quilt can do the same kind of thing, but if you wanted an upgraded one, you can always check out actual pads designed for camping. Therm-a-rest mattresses work well for this. They’re made of foam, lightweight, and insulate well.
KEEP THE MOISTURE OUT
The enemy of warmth is moisture. Water helps disburse heat and cool things down which is the exact opposite of what you’re looking for when it’s cold. If your clothes are damp or wet at all, they can leak heat like crazy.
If your tent has a vestibule, change out of the damp stuff before climbing into bed. If you don’t, you can still change out of them, but make sure you get them hung up somehow and keep them away from where you sleep.
PORTABLE HEATER
Having a heater is an obvious way to keep your tent warm. They work really well for this purpose, but they require some extra work.
Be sure that when you get a heater you get one designed for a tent. If it’s not, you could be risking your health. My father-in-law loves to use this one from Mr. Heater. He takes it everywhere: deer blinds, ice fishing shanties, and, yes, tents.
Warning! Don’t let the heater run all night. It isn’t safe. Run for a while before you go to bed and then when you wake up in the morning.
USE A HOT WATER BOTTLE
If you have a water bottle that can heat up on the fire, it can also be a great way to keep your tent warm. How do I make my tent warmer with a water bottle? you may wonder.
Take the hot bottle and wrap it in some towels or clothes and place it by your feet at the bottom of your sleeping area (sleeping bag or blankets). You may be shocked at how quickly the tent gets hot with the bottle radiating heat like that.
HEATING PADS
Similar to the water bottle, you can use heating pads or hand warmers in your sleeping bag to stay warm. It isn’t as effective, but they are much easier to use and some are quite cheap. If you’re out on a cold night and you’re unprepared for the weather, this may be a good option for you.
Halogen Heater
You can also go for using a halogen heater. These provide heat very well, but they don’t give off any dangerous gases.
CONCLUSION
We hoped you enjoyed learning about some easy ways to warm your tent. Now, when your friends ask you, “How do I make my tent warmer?” you can answer the question like an expert.
Share this information with your friends and brave the colder weather with your new-found knowledge. You’ll be amazed at how knowing these tricks can lengthen your camping season.
Now get out there and enjoy the fresh air!
If you enjoyed reading this article, you may also enjoy learning about what to bring camping in a tent.