Are you interested in camping in winter?

Do you want to make sure the experience is a good one?

As you get into cold-weather camping, you may notice some clothes, tents, sleeping bags, etc. are given an R-value. 

The first time I went winter camping, one of my fellow campers brought this up, and I had no idea what it was. 

I wish I did before I went, or I would have been a lot warmer on that trip! 

But what is r-value for winter camping?

The r-value refers to a measurement of the temperature difference per unit of heat needed to sustain one unit of heat. This is a fancy way of saying: r-value is how well the insulation works. For winter camping, you’ll want an r-value of at least 3, though 5 is considered the best. 

Check out the rest of the article for more details on R-values and their impact on winter camping. 

What Is R-Value For Winter Camping?

This section covers what r-value is and how to use it. 

What Is R-Value In Camping?

As mentioned above, R-value measures how well a layer of insulation blocks the flow of heat. 

TheiInsulation works both ways. 

1. Insulation keeps heat in. 
2. Insulation keeps the cold out. 

The higher the r-value, the better the insulation works. 

R-value isn’t only a camping measurement. 

It is used more often in construction. 

Builders use this when determining how well insulation will work at keeping a building warm. 

It’s also common in mattresses. 

A typical bed is around 40 r. 

For camping, higher R-values usually mean a pad or sleeping bag that’s quite thick. 

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing unless you’re hiking and carrying the heavier material. 

The general rule of thumb is to go for an r-value of 5 when winter camping. 

An r-value of 3 is relatively low, but it may be just fine for most winter camping. 

Why? More on this in the next section. 

Does R-Value Stack?

Yes! R-values do stack. 

If you’re sleeping in the cold with a 3r pad and a 3r sleeping bag, you’ll end up with an R-value of around 5. 

R-values do stack on each other when you layer the materials and objects. 

This is the same idea with layering clothes in the cold. 

You have a base layer with a higher r-value, coupled with other layers. 

As you add layers, the r-value rises, keeping you warmer. 

Of course, this only works with quality winter clothing. 

Check out the best pants for winter camping.

Interestingly, the r-value will stay the same when the material is wet…technically. 

In some cases, as with down material, getting wet causes it to collapse and lose its insulation powers. 

With most others, the insulation keeps its effectiveness. 

The reason you feel colder when wet is due to the increased transition of heat levels from the water itself, not the material. 

Learn how to dry clothes when winter camping. 

How To Use R-Value In Winter Camping

It’s not hard to use r-value when cold-weather camping. 

For your sleeping pads and sleeping bags, pick one with a value of around 5r. 

When looking for clothes or tents, pick ones with higher values where possible. 

Keep extra layers and pads nearby if the weather reaches extreme colds. 

Plan ahead, keep things dry, and have a good time! 

How Do I Increase The R-Value On My Sleeping Pad?

R-values are determined by material, design, and thickness. 

It’s impossible to directly affect a single sleeping pad and raise its r-value. 

However, as mentioned before, R-values stack. 

By using 2 sleeping pads with 5r, you’ll end up with a little less than 10r of insulation underneath you. 

Some retention power is lost when layering, but it’s minimal. 

Can A Sleeping Pad Be Too Warm?

Yes and no. 

If your pad is too warm, you’ll sweat when you sleep. 

This won’t be a problem when you’re sleeping (unless you struggle to sleep when hot). 

It won’t be dangerous or affect the pad at all. 

The sweat will make you colder when you first climb out of bed. 

All the water on your skin transfers heat quickly. 

This is why we sweat in summer: to cool down. 

In winter, this isn’t as desirable. 

The sweat feeling may also be gross to you. 

But all these feelings are a matter of personal preference. 

I don’t like sweating in my sleep, but I have friends who do. 

They layer up like crazy and enjoy the crisp, freezing feeling they get in the morning when they’ve had a hot night’s sleep. 

Just think about what you enjoy. 

Examples Of Sleeping Items With Different R-Values

Here are a few examples of good r-value items to use when winter camping. 

Ecotek 4-season sleeping pad – This sleeping pad is the one I use. 

It’s affordable and does a good job of retaining heat. 

It has an R-value of 4.5. 

Combined with a good sleeping bag, you won’t be cold even in most cold weather. 

Browning Camping McKinley Sleeping Bag – This sleeping bag is specially designed for cold weather. 

Its insulation is thick and effective. 

The r-value isn’t specifically stated, but based on comparative analysis, we’d estimate an r-value of 4. 

Couple this with a good sleeping mat, and you’ll be all set. 

Wellax Ultra-thick Flexfoam Sleeping Pad – This sleeping pad isn’t the easiest to carry around, but it sure is warm. 

Its 3-inch thick flexfoam material comes in with a rating of 9.5r. 

This is a great insulator to lay on.  

Conclusion

If you want to stay warm in cold weather, then you need to know what r-value is for winter camping. 

Now you do! 

The higher the number, the better insulated the object is. 

In winter camping, this mostly applies to sleeping bags and pads, but you may find it in other places as well. 

In general, 3 is the minimum, but 5 is the best. 

Too cold? Stack the layers of insulation, and the R-values will stack up too. 

Now get outside and enjoy the fresh air.