It's that moment we've all experienced: the sun is setting, the temperature is dropping, and a sneaky chill starts to creep into your bones. You're out on the trail or at a peaceful campsite, and you're miles from a cozy cabin or a roaring fire. Your first thought might be, "I wish I had packed that extra puffy jacket."
But what if I told you that you already have the most powerful tool for staying warm? It's your own body, and with a few simple, gear-free tricks, you can keep that internal furnace burning all night long.
As we get older, we learn to appreciate the simple things. The quiet of the woods, the view from a mountain top, the company of a good hiking partner. We also learn that sometimes, less is more—and, at times, that applies to our gear too. While a good sleeping bag and warm layers are necessary, the real secret to cold-weather comfort often lies in our habits, not in our gear closet.
Here are a few easy ways I've learned to keep warm, proving that sometimes, the best gear is what you already have:
- Move to Generate Heat. When you first start to feel a chill, don't just sit and shiver. Get your blood flowing! Stand up and do a few jumping jacks, jog in place, or even just take a walk around your campsite. Just a minute or two of movement can get your core temperature up and spread warmth to your fingers and toes. The key is to get warm without getting sweaty, because the purpose of sweating is to cool the body.
- The Power of a Warm Drink. This is one of my favorite simple pleasures. Sipping a warm mug of tea, coffee, or even just hot water before bed. It’s like a warm hug from the inside out, an instant morale booster because it helps raise your core temperature. Plus, it's a great excuse to pause, enjoy the moment, and watch the stars show off.
- Eat Your Fuel. Your body is constantly burning calories to keep you warm, so give it the fuel it needs. Eating a high-calorie snack, especially one with fats and proteins like nuts or cheese, before you get into your sleeping bag will give your body the energy to keep its internal furnace burning all night. But, don’t eat too much before laying down.
- Don't Go to Bed Cold. Never crawl into your sleeping bag when you're already shivering. Use the tips above—move around, have a warm drink—to get your body warm first. Your sleeping bag doesn't create heat; it traps the heat your body produces. If you go in cold, your sleeping bag can't do its job, and you'll have a long, restless night.
- The Ground Isn’t Helpful. More heat is lost to the cold ground than to the cold air. Use what you have to insulate yourself. Lay your backpack, extra clothes, or even a folded tarp under your sleeping pad to add a crucial layer of insulation. And, of course, an insulated air mattress is the place to start. A rating of at least 2 for summer months, and a rating of 6 or more in winter months is what I consider for places I camp in Colorado. You and your area may require more or less. A little bit of buffer goes a long way in preventing heat from being sucked right out of you.
- The Hot Water Bottle Trick. This one is amazing!. Fill a harder plastic, leak-proof water bottle with hot (not boiling) water. Tightly seal it, wrap it in a spare sock or piece of clothing, and place it at your feet or by your core inside your sleeping bag. It will radiate a comforting warmth for hours and is a simple hack for a toasty night's sleep.
These little things make all the difference. So, before you spend your next paycheck on the latest gear, take a minute to shift your mindset to one of resourcefulness and awareness. It’s about taking care of yourself and enjoying the journey, no matter the weather. After all, the best stories are often told on the coldest nights, and with these tips, you'll be warm enough to tell them.