The Best Winter Camping Gear of 2018

Get out and stay out with these tents, bags, and pads for sleeping in the cold.

Author:: Heather Balogh Rochfort and William M. Rochfort, Jr.
Updated:: Nov 20, 2018
Original:: Oct 31, 2018

Your svelte camping setup works like a charm when the weather's nice. But once the snow starts falling, it's time to swap that ultralight tent and trail quilt with shelter that's made to stand up to heavy snow, wind, and general winter conditions. Get the right gear—this kit is a start—and sleeping out in the cold is a heck of a lot of fun.

When you’re hunkered down in a blizzard, you’ll want some extra space. Fortunately, the Alpine Guide’s enormous 27.5-square-foot vestibule fits the bill—and then some. Read the Full ReviewBuy The North Face Alpine Guide 3 Now

When you’re hunkered down in a blizzard, you’ll want some extra space. Fortunately, the Alpine Guide’s enormous 27.5-square-foot vestibule fits the bill—and then some. Read the Full ReviewBuy The North Face Alpine Guide 3 Now

In 2012, we lauded the original Katabatic for its immense strength and spacious interior, and this redesign doubles down on both. Read the Full ReviewBuy Eddie Bauer Katabatic 3 Now

Everybody wants a lavish basecamp shelter in winter, but nobody wants to hump the extra weight. The three-person Moki delivers everything you want and nothing you don’t. Read the Full ReviewBuy Nemo Moki Now

When you’re camping in temps below zero, there’s a big difference between getting by and getting comfortable. This bag ensures you experience the latter, thanks to a slew of features designed to take the sting out of winter. Read the Full ReviewBuy Therm-A-Rest Polar Ranger -20°F Now

The Nitro’s specs tell the whole story: a 0°F down bag that weighs 2.5 pounds and costs less than $400. There has to be a catch, right? Nope. Read the Full ReviewBuy Sierra Designs Nitro 800 0°F Now

When a 0°F bag nails its temp rating for a price like this, our first question is: How? The Yock uses 600-fill down instead of the premium, pricey stuff. Read the Full ReviewBuy Big Agnes Yock 0 Now

Here in Colorado, we tend to forget that a lot of the country doesn’t see frigid temps in the winter. For those regions—and for hikers everywhere braving wet shoulder-season conditions—this synthetic bag is just the trick. Read the Full ReviewBuy LL Bean UL Mummy Now

No one wants to spend an unplanned night in the snow, but if it happens, this bivy beats the pants off a snow cave. For the weight of a midlayer, it provides bomber quarters. Read the Full ReviewBuy Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy Now

Nightmare scenario: It’s -10°F outside and your sleeping pad springs a leak. Dream scenario: You packed this pad, which has six separate full-length vertical chambers, so the worst that happens is you sleep on a mat that’s still mostly inflated and deal with it in the morning. Read the Full Review Buy Exped Downmat TT 9 Now

The North Face Alpine Guide 3

When you’re hunkered down in a blizzard, you’ll want some extra space. Fortunately, the Alpine Guide’s enormous 27.5-square-foot vestibule fits the bill—and then some. Read the Full Review

Buy The North Face Alpine Guide 3 Now

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Check out the rest of the 2018 Winter Gear Guide

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