Winter camping in -15 degree Celsius! What kind of layering and fire-resistant clothing is best for campfires?
- You'll learn what kind of clothing is suitable for a campfire.
Contents of this article
Layering is essential for winter camping.
Campsites in high-altitude plateaus can experience extremely cold conditions during the peak of winter (January-February), with temperatures dropping below -10°C.
Furthermore, the wind is strong, making the perceived temperature even lower.
Therefore, I will describe the situation assuming a slightly harsher temperature of -15°C.
What's important at that time is not just wearing one high-performance jacket, but layering clothes to create layers of air between the fabrics, preventing the air warmed by body heat from escaping.
During winter camping, you won't just be sitting still eating or sitting around a campfire; you'll also be actively moving around, such as shoveling snow, which can sometimes make you feel hot.
Even in such situations, if you're wearing layers, you can adjust your body temperature by taking off a jacket or two.
Here, we'll consider layering for camping at -15℃, as well as clothing suitable for campfires.
・Upper body
・Innerwear
[Keeps sweat away from the skin and keeps you dry]
Although there are initial costs involved, I recommend wool.
Cotton has long been used as an inner layer because of its comfortable feel, but it had the drawback of not allowing sweat to evaporate, which could cool the body down.
That's where synthetic fibers, such as polyester, come in.
Synthetic fibers quickly absorb and evaporate sweat, keeping your skin dry and preventing chills caused by sweat.
In recent years, wool materials, such as merino wool, have also become more common.
Wool was previously avoided because the scales on its fibers would prickle the skin, but this problem has been solved with advancements in fiber spinning technology.
As a result, the natural texture, warmth, and odor-resistant properties of the material have been recognized, and it has become increasingly used in polar regions.
- Mid-layer (fleece, down)
[Creates a layer of air to retain heat]
It plays a role in quickly transferring sweat from the inner layer to the outer layer while retaining warm air to maintain body temperature.
Fleece is highly breathable, allowing sweat from your inner layers to escape without accumulating. It also dries quickly, making it a great choice for active camping trips.
Down is lighter than fleece, offers superior warmth per unit weight, and is the top choice when you want to relax in cold environments.
When folded, it's even smaller than a fleece jacket.
Clearly define what kind of camping you want to do and choose the equipment that suits you best.
While fleece is the most common choice, down vests with detachable sleeves have become increasingly popular recently.
Down vests allow for easy arm movement, alleviating the often restrictive conditions that can arise when layering clothes in winter.
·outer
[Blocks out outside air and traps air]
The outermost layer of clothing needs to prevent cold air from entering and trap warm air.
In terms of material, nylon would be the most accurate choice.
However, when it comes to the topic of this discussion, which is protection against campfires, nylon inevitably proves to be a weak material.
Therefore, I would recommend a flame-retardant jacket.
It's resistant to sparks and can withstand a little wind, making it perfect for campfires during camping trips.
However, even with these options, it's impossible to completely prevent holes from sparks, so instead of expensive jackets from outdoor brands, you might want to consider the inexpensive and stylish jackets now sold at workwear stores, depending on your budget.
・Lower body
·tights
Synthetic fibers will likely be the main choice when it comes to tights as well.
While you sweat less in the upper body and there's less worry about getting chilled from sweat, it's still important to keep the garment close to your skin and keep it dry.
However, it's important to note that if the fit is too tight and compresses too much, it can restrict blood flow and actually make you feel colder.
Choose something that's neither too tight nor too loose—just right.
- Mid-layer (fleece, down)
For a mid-layer, I recommend a nylon garment with a fleece lining, or a fleece sweatshirt.
When it comes to staying warm, the most important thing is to keep your lower body warm. Even if your clothing is a little baggy, it's better to prioritize warmth during camping, as you won't be moving around much.
·outer
Once you've trapped enough air with your inner and mid-layers, choose windproof materials to prevent that air from escaping.
Nylon is the first material that comes to mind when thinking about wind-resistant materials, but it inevitably becomes weaker when used in the context of a campfire.
In the case of the lower body, if you are sitting, sparks flying towards you tend to get stuck in your joints and can easily penetrate even 100% cotton pants.
Therefore, I recommend wrapping your entire body in a flame-retardant blanket.
If you use a flame-retardant blanket, it is unlikely to catch fire unless the sparks are very large.
It's great that it can be used in a wide range of applications, such as covering just the lower body, or wrapping your whole body when it's particularly cold.
・Lower body
·head
The head, hands, and socks, which will be described from here on, are areas that sweat particularly heavily.
The key point is to prevent stuffiness.
First, regarding your head, I recommend a knit hat.
You often see people wearing a cap with earmuffs, but caps have poor breathability and may not be able to keep up with the sweating that occurs when your body warms up.
The earmuffs don't fit very well, allowing wind to seep in through the gaps.
Once the ears get cold, they don't warm up easily, and along with the hands and feet, they are prone to frostbite, so caution is necessary.
In that respect, a knit hat offers a comfortable fit and breathability, so it won't get stuffy.
If it gets too hot, you can adjust the position slightly to reduce stuffiness.
·hand
Always choose gloves that are a separate type with an inner and outer layer.
I'll use innerwear that's warm and breathable.
Prepare a spare inner layer, change it if it gets wet with sweat, dry the replacement over a campfire or similar, and always keep one dry.
For outerwear, choose something windproof. For ease of movement, I recommend five-finger gloves, but if you prioritize warmth, I recommend two- or three-finger mittens.
When handling hot objects like campfires, be sure to change into leather gloves.
·socks
Layering is also fundamental to socks.
I wear a synthetic inner layer and another layer on top.
Try five-finger socks for your innerwear.
The spaces between your fingers stay dry, preventing chills from sweat.
I think wool is the only option for outerwear.
When my toes get cold, they start to hurt, and they don't warm up easily.
Besides, even wool socks aren't that expensive. So, invest in good socks.
They are cushioned and suitable for walking for long periods of time.
·summary
I bundled up in lots of clothes because it was cold, and I started sweating every time I moved around while setting up the tent and preparing the campfire. But then, when it was time to eat or when I was sitting still after starting the campfire, that sweat would quickly cool down.
Ultimately, winter camping all comes down to how well you can control your sweating.
The key to that is how well you do the layering.
In addition, if you want to enjoy a bonfire, you need to be careful when doing so, as commercially available outerwear is generally not very fire-resistant.
While it may be a bit expensive, wearing a flame-retardant jacket is necessary, but as mentioned earlier, wrapping yourself in a blanket is also an option.
A campfire during winter camping has an even more sacred atmosphere than one in summer.
Please take all necessary precautions and enjoy yourself.
