The Winter Gear You’ll Wish You Bought Earlier

Cold-weather camping has a special kind of magic Think quiet forests, crisp air, and the satisfying crunch of frost under your boots. But it also has a ruthless way of exposing every piece of gear you cheaped out on.

Nothing teaches faster than a night below freezing in the wrong equipment. I've identified three big regrets almost every winter camper wishes they’d fixed before stepping onto the trail.

The Gore-Tex You Told Yourself You Didn’t Need

You know that moment: freezing rain turns to sleet, your “water-resistant” jacket gives up, and suddenly you’re carrying five pounds of fabric soaked like a kitchen sponge. That’s when the Gore-Tex regret hits. Quality waterproof-breathable shells aren’t about brand loyalty—they’re about survival-level dryness that keeps your insulation functioning. Fast fashion rain gear may seem “good enough” in mild weather, but in winter conditions, staying dry isn’t a luxury; it’s the only thing standing between you and a long, shivery night. Consider it a one-time investment in always feeling smug during storms.

Cheap Gloves: The Silent Destroyer of Morale

Cold fingers turn even basic tasks into misery—unclipping a buckle, boiling water, untying a knot. Many new winter campers show up with bargain-bin gloves that look insulated but collapse into soggy pancakes the moment they touch snow. The regret sets in when you realize your hands are the only tools you can’t replace on the trail. A proper glove system—liner + insulated glove + waterproof shell—doesn’t just keep you warm; it gives you dexterity, safety, and the will to keep going. Cheap gloves might save money, but they cost happiness.

The Sleeping Pad That Was Basically a Doormat

Everyone obsesses over sleeping bags, but seasoned cold-weather campers know the real MVP is the sleeping pad. In sub-freezing temperatures, most of your heat is lost to the frozen ground—not the air. A flimsy summer pad becomes a regret the instant you lie down and feel the cold creeping through like a slow leak. What you needed was an insulated pad with a high R-value, ideally paired with a closed-cell foam pad for extra protection. Good insulation under your body is the difference between a restorative night’s sleep and counting down minutes until sunrise.

Pack the right equipment

Ready to go cold camping? You’ll need (at minimum):

• a four-season tent
• a sleeping bag (rated to at least -15°C)
• a mattress or pad (remember: this is what protects you from the frozen ground)
• a cook stove
• a first aid kit

Make sure they’re all in working order before you leave home.

Some stoves don’t work well at cold temperatures, test yours at home to see if there are any issues. Never use your cook stove inside your tent (carbon monoxide kills!).

You’ll also need a waterproof backpack to hold your:

• food
• cooking utensils
• plastic mug
• spoon and bowl
• toiletries
• headlamp or flashlight and batteries
• pocket knife
• matches and candle
• clothes
• 
  

Staying dry is key to staying warm, so take clothes you can put on in layers. You’ll need a good base layer (long john bottom and top). While synthetics are good, most experienced winter campers end up using merino wool because it’s soft, warm, keeps you dry, and doesn’t absorb odours.

You’ll also need good wool socks and insulating layers of different thicknesses for different activity levels (think tights, fleece jackets or sweaters, and a down coat).

Most importantly, bring a waterproof and windproof outer shell layer to protect yourself from the elements.

If you’re snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, you’ll generate a lot of heat and be able to shed layers. If you’re sitting around a campfire at night, you’ll want insulated snow pants and a winter coat.

Cotton is definitely a no-no in winter. Wet cotton will suck the heat right out of you and can lead to hypothermia. Don’t forget your toque and a couple sets of dry gloves!

Be prepared for short days and long nights. You’ll want to be set up at your campsite long before dark.

If you’re having a campfire, you likely don’t want your brand-new coat and snow pants to get a bunch of spark holes. Bring an old pair for sitting around the fire.

Be careful when drying or thawing out gloves and gear around the fire. All winter campers have stories of the great gear that they accidentally burned or melted by the fire.

Keep your gear contained. Nothing like a dump of snow to hide all the stuff you left strewn across your campsite. That’s a game of hide-and-seek you don’t want to play.

Finally, an insulated pad or blanket will make your lawn chair a lot more comfortable.

Cold-weather camping rewards preparation. The right gear (real waterproofing, real insulation, real warmth) doesn’t just make the experience more comfortable; it makes it safer and infinitely more enjoyable. Invest once, regret never.