Winter camping at -15 degrees Celsius! What kind of fire-resistant clothing is suitable for layering and bonfires?
・Discover suitable clothing for bonfires
Table of Contents
・Layering is essential for winter camping
At high-altitude campsites, mid-winter (January-February) can see extreme cold temperatures dropping to -10℃ or below.
Furthermore, strong winds make the perceived temperature even lower.
Therefore, I will discuss this assuming a more severe -15℃.
What's important then is to create layers of air between fabrics by layering clothing rather than wearing a single high-performance jacket, to trap the air warmed by your body temperature.
During winter camping, you won't always be still, such as while eating or at a bonfire; you might also be actively moving, like shoveling snow, and could feel hot.
In such situations, layered clothing allows you to adjust your body temperature by simply removing a jacket.
Here, we will consider layering for camping at -15℃, as well as clothing suitable for bonfires.
・Upper Body
・Base Layer
【Keep sweat away from skin, stay dry】
While there is an initial cost, I recommend wool.
Cotton, known for its comfort, has long been used for base layers, but it had the drawback of trapping sweat and cooling the body.
That's where synthetic fibers, represented by polyester, came in.
Synthetics quickly absorb and evaporate sweat, keeping the skin dry and preventing chilling from sweat.
In recent years, wool materials, typified by merino wool, have also become available.
Wool was once avoided due to the scratchy sensation caused by the scales on its fibers, but advancements in spinning technology have resolved this issue.
As a result, its natural texture, warmth, and deodorizing effects have been recognized, leading to its increased use in extreme environments.
・Mid-layer (Fleece/Down)
【Create an air layer for insulation】
Its role is to quickly transfer sweat from the base layer to the outer layer, while retaining warm air to maintain body temperature.
Fleece is breathable and allows sweat from the base layer to escape without accumulating. It also dries quickly, so if you're engaging in active camping, fleece is recommended.
Down is lighter than fleece and offers superior warmth for its weight, making it the top choice when you want to relax in cold environments.
When folded, it also takes up less space than fleece.
Choose what suits you best by clearly defining what kind of camping you want to do.
While fleece is generally common, down vests with detachable sleeves have recently been seen.
Down vests allow for easier arm movement, alleviating the common difficulty of movement that layered clothing in winter can cause.
・Outerwear
【Block outside air and trap warm air】
The outermost layer, or outerwear, needs to prevent outside air from entering and trap warm air.
In terms of material, nylon would be appropriate.
However, when it comes to bonfire protection, which is the theme of this article, nylon tends to be vulnerable.
Therefore, I recommend a flame-retardant jacket.
It's resistant to sparks, can block a fair amount of wind, and is perfect for bonfire scenes at camp.
Still, it can't perfectly prevent holes from sparks, so instead of expensive outdoor brand items, you might consider the affordable and stylish jackets recently sold at workwear stores as an option, depending on your budget.
・Lower Body
・Tights
For tights, synthetic fibers will likely be the main choice.
Compared to the upper body, less sweating occurs, and there is less concern about cooling due to sweat; however, keeping the skin dry by having a snug fit remains important.
However, it's important to note that if the fit is too tight and constrictive, it can impair blood circulation and actually make you colder.
Choose something that is neither too tight nor too loose.
・Mid-layer (Fleece/Down)
For mid-layers, I recommend nylon-made items with a boa lining or fleece sweats.
When it comes to cold, it's crucial to keep your lower body warm. Even if it's a bit baggy, prioritizing warmth is better for camping life with less movement.
Outerwear
Once you've trapped enough air in your inner and mid-layers, choose a windproof material to keep that air from escaping.
Nylon comes to mind as a windproof material, but it tends to be weak when used around a campfire.
When sitting, embers can land and stay on joints in the lower body, often burning through even 100% cotton pants.
Therefore, we recommend wrapping your entire body in a fire-resistant blanket.
With a fire-resistant blanket, sparks are less likely to spread unless they are very large.
It's also convenient that it can be used in various ways, such as covering only your lower body, or wrapping your entire body when it's very cold.
Lower Body
Head
The head, hands, and socks are particularly prone to sweating, as described below.
The key is to prevent stuffiness.
First, for the head, I recommend a knit hat.
While caps with earmuffs are seen, caps lack breathability and may not cope with sweating when your body warms up.
Earmuffs also have weak adhesion, allowing wind to penetrate through gaps.
Once ears get cold, they are difficult to warm up and, along with hands and feet, are prone to frostbite, so caution is needed.
In this regard, knit hats offer a moderate fit and breathability, preventing stuffiness.
If you get hot, you can simply shift it slightly to relieve the stuffiness.
Hands
Always choose separate inner and outer gloves.
The inner layer should be insulating and moisture-absorbing.
Keep a spare inner layer, and replace it when it gets wet with sweat. Dry the replaced one by a campfire, and always keep a dry one on hand.
The outer layer should be windproof. For dexterity, I recommend a five-finger type, and for warmth, a two- or three-finger mitten type.
When handling hot items like campfires, switch to leather gloves.
Socks
Layering is also essential for socks.
Wear a synthetic pair as an inner layer, and another pair over it.
Try five-toe socks for the inner layer.
They keep the spaces between your toes dry, preventing sweat-induced cold.
I believe wool is the only option for the outer layer.
If your toes get cold, it can be painful and difficult to warm them up.
Besides, wool socks aren't overly expensive. Invest in good socks.
They also offer cushioning, making them suitable for long walks.
Summary
When it's cold, you might bundle up, but then you sweat a little while setting up your tent and preparing the campfire. When you sit still to eat or once the fire starts, that sweat quickly turns cold.
Winter camping is all about controlling sweat.
This means mastering layering.
Additionally, if you want to enjoy a campfire, commercially available outerwear is often susceptible to fire, so caution is needed when around a bonfire.
Although somewhat expensive, wearing a flame-retardant jacket is necessary, but as mentioned, wrapping yourself in a blanket is also an option.
Campfires in winter have an even more sacred atmosphere than in summer.
Be fully prepared and enjoy yourself.
