UK Winter Camping Gear Made Simple: Pack Smart, Stay Warm

There’s something special about loading up the car for a winter escape. The roads are quiet, the air feels crisp, and sometimes you get lucky with a bit of snow. Cold-season camping can be magical, but staying warm and safe takes a little planning. That’s where the right winter camping gear comes in. This guide walks you through the essentials, so you can enjoy your trip without worrying about the cold.

Winter camping feels a lot easier when you’re warm, dry, and not wrestling with kit in the dark. This best winter camping gear list works whether you’re backpacking or loading up the boot with car camping essentials for a cosy weekend away.

Shelter: a stable, weatherproof base

Shelter sits at the heart of your essential winter camping gear, guarding you from wind, damp conditions, and the cold that comes in after sunset.

Tent

• Pick a 3–4-season tent with a solid pole structure and a full-coverage flysheet. It handles winter wind and rain far better than a lightweight summer model.

• Look for a flysheet with a hydrostatic head around 3000mm or higher, and an even sturdier groundsheet, to stay dry on wet ground.

• A tent with less mesh and more solid inner panels helps block draughts.

Guylines and Pegs

• Pack extra guylines for stormy nights.

• Carry a mix of Y-shaped pegs and longer pegs for frozen or loose soil.

Footprint or Groundsheet

• A footprint protects the tent floor and adds a small layer of insulation from cold, damp ground.

Sleep system: staying warm all night

Your sleeping bag and mat work as a team. If one falls short, you’ll feel it fast.

Sleeping bag

• As a core piece of camping gear for winter, choose a sleeping bag with a comfort rating lower than your coldest expected temperature. Many campers go 5–10°C below the forecast low to stay safe.

• Down bags are warm and pack small, while synthetic bags handle damp conditions better.

• A liner adds a touch of warmth and keeps the bag cleaner on longer trips.

Sleeping mat(s)

• A lot of heat is lost to the ground, so a good mat is critical. A mat’s R-value shows how well it resists heat loss. Higher numbers mean better insulation.

• For proper winter use, aim for a combined R-value of around 5+ by using a high-R mat or layering two mats. R-values add together when you stack pads.

• A simple closed-cell foam mat under an inflatable is cheap insurance and gives you a backup if the inflatable fails.

Other sleep extras

• A pillow (or a dry bag filled with spare clothes) for comfort.

• A dry bag to protect your sleeping bag when travelling.

• A stuff sack that’s easy to open with cold hands.

Clothing and footwear: layer for damp cold

UK winter usually sits just above freezing, mixed with wind, rain, and the odd icy snap. A layering system works best as outdoor winter camping gear.

Base layers

• Wear synthetic or merino wool tops and leggings.

• Avoid cotton. It stays damp and makes you cold.

Mid layers

• A fleece or light synthetic jacket for walking.

• A warmer insulated jacket (down or synthetic) for camp and rest breaks.

Outer layers

• A waterproof jacket with a good hood.

• Waterproof trousers you can pull on over boots.

• Sealed seams and decent breathability make a big difference in rain.

Hands, head, and neck

• Carry two pairs of gloves: one lighter pair for moving, one warmer pair for camp and wet conditions.

• A warm hat that covers your ears.

• A buff or neck gaiter to trap heat and cut the wind.

Footwear

• Waterproof boots with good grip, roomy enough for thicker socks.

• Warm hiking socks, plus a dry pair just for sleeping.

• Gaiters if you expect boggy ground or snow.

If you plan to head into proper winter mountains, you’ll need extra kit such as crampons, an ice axe, and goggles. Low-level camping usually doesn’t require these.

Cooking, hydration, and food

You burn more energy in the cold, and hot food does a lot for morale.

Stove and fuel

• Bring a stove that works in cold conditions. Standard gas can struggle when it’s freezing, so consider winter gas blends, an inverted-canister stove, or a liquid-fuel stove for very low temperatures.

• Carry extra fuel, as boiling takes longer in the cold.

• Add a windscreen, lighter, and waterproof matches or a backup spark.

Cook kit

• Lightweight, insulated pots, pans, and mugs that retain heat and reduce fuel usage.

• A tight lid helps everything cook faster.

• Titanium works well if you want to keep weight low and mainly boil water. Aluminium heats more evenly and is great for everyday camp meals.

• A durable spoon or spork and a simple chopping knife.

Water and hydration

• Wide-mouth bottles freeze less easily and are easier to fill with hot water.

• Keep bottles inside your tent or sleeping bag in cold snaps.

• If you use a water filter, protect it from freezing. Some filters can break if ice forms inside them.

Food

• Choose simple, high-calorie meals you can cook easily with gloves on.

• Bring extra snacks like nuts, chocolate, cheese, or flapjacks for quick energy.

EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station + 220W Portable Solar Panel

If you want something that can act more like an off-grid system for winter camping, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Portable Power Station + 220W Portable Solar Panel bundle is a different beast.

The DELTA 2 itself offers:

• 1,024Wh base capacity, so it suits longer trips, group camps, or running more power-hungry kit. You can also expand it to 2–3kWh using extra batteries for larger setups at home or in a camper.

• 4 AC outlets (up to 1,800W total, 2,700W surge), enough to power most small mains appliances, from a laptop charger and induction hob on low settings to an electric cool box, small fan heater, or electric blanket.

• A mix of USB-A, fast-charge USB-A, USB-C, a 12.6V car port, and DC5521 outputs, so you can plug in pretty much everything on site without extra adapters.

• Up to 500W solar input and fast AC charging up to 1,200W, so you can recharge quickly from a hook-up, a generator, your home socket, or solar.

• App control over Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, so you can check remaining run time and adjust settings from inside your sleeping bag.

The bundled 220W portable solar panel adds:

• A 220W front panel plus a 175W rear side for ambient light can capture up to 28% more solar energy and charge your portable power station faster.

• High efficiency (around 25%), which is useful on short winter days.

• IP68 dust and water resistance, so you can leave it out in less-than-perfect weather without stressing about a few flakes of snow or a shower.

Small comforts that make a big difference

These aren’t essential, but they often turn a cold night into a good one.

• A seat pad or spare foam mat so you’re not sitting on cold ground.

• A light, stable camp chair helps you stay warm and relaxed.

• A compact folding table keeps your stove, food, and small items off the ground, making cooking safer and easier when the temperature dips.

• Lanterns or string lights that create a cozy and inviting campsite atmosphere.

• Dry bags or bin bags to keep clothing and electronics safe from moisture.

• A basic repair kit with tape, cord, cable ties, and a small multi-tool.

• Hand or foot warmers if you tend to feel the cold.

• Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and an SPF lip balm. Snow reflects sunlight strongly, especially at higher altitudes, which can lead to quicker sunburn.