How To Use Solar Power To Stay Warm in A Tent During Winter

Camping isn’t limited to the warmer months, but winter camping does require a careful strategy to keep yourself cozy, especially at night in your tent. Camping aficionados have figured out how to camp in the winter, so we’re taking a few pages from their book to learn how to stay warm in a tent even in the coldest climates.

Below, find eleven tips to ensure you stay nice and toasty on your winter camping adventures.

1. Choose the Right Tent

The tent is your foundation, so choose one that will be a solid first defense against chilly weather. A quality tent should be built to weather all four seasons, with double-wall construction that can withstand any type of harsh weather. 

Other things to look for in a good tent include smaller interior spaces that can hold and maintain warmth and a low profile to minimize heat loss.

For a winter-specific tent, certain seam constructions and weatherproofing features will help the best models stand out:

• Reinforced seams taped or sealed shut to prevent chilly drafts
• Extended rainfly that reaches close to the ground to serve as a protective wind barrier
• Vestibules are a popular choice for winter campers because they create an additional buffer zone between the outside elements and the sleeping area

Some tents you’ll find at outdoor retailers today even feature solar-integrated features like built-in solar panels or ports for power cables that allow you to use solar-powered solutions to stay warm.

2. Use Portable Tent Heaters

Portable tent heaters like the EcoFlow Wave 2 Portable AC, which doesn’t use gas or another fuel to keep you warm, are perfect for tent use. Proper ventilation is always essential when using a heating device in a tent, so ensure your tent’s vents are open. 

Any portable tent heater can run off solar power when connected to EcoFlow Solar Generators, such as the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max Solar Generator (PV160W), making it an excellent option for eco-conscious campers or those who don’t want to bring another fuel source.

Tent heater placement can impact its performance, so position it on a flat, stable surface at least three feet away from flammable materials. A small fan can also help distribute the heater’s warmth more evenly throughout the tend and prevent hot or cold spots.

Monitor your power consumption to ensure you don’t lose your heat source halfway through the night. Test it at home before you go camping, and if options are available, play around with power modes to strike the right balance between power and longevity.

3. Wear Suitable Clothing

Clothing can make or break your warmth on a frigid winter night spent outdoors. Wear several layers and high-quality clothing to keep as much body heat as possible. That means a moisture-wicking base layer like thermal underwear, an insulating wool or fleece mid-layer, and a weatherproof outer layer. Don’t forget to accessorize with thick socks, insulated gloves, a hat or earmuffs, and a scarf.

Pro Tip: If any of your clothes are damp or moist, change out of them and put on dry clothes before sleeping.

4. Power a Heated Blanket

Electric heated blankets are a game-changer on the coldest nights. To create a solar-powered blanket, simply plug it into the EcoFlow River 3 Portable Power Station and pair it with the EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Solar Panel. A low-wattage blanket will help you maximize your battery life, and safety features like auto-shutoff or timers can also help conserve power.

If you’re sharing a sleeping bag, consider a dual-zone blanket that allows each person to customize their warmth setting for ultimate comfort.

5. Insulate the Tent

Insulation on every level is crucial. We’ve covered the most essential clothing layers to insulate your body, but what about the tent? You can insulate your tent in a few different ways:

• Place a tarp where you want to set up your camp to separate you from the earth
• Add camping mats, foam padding, or rugs to the floor of the tent for additional ground insulation
• Consider reflective thermal barriers on the tent walls to reflect any heat back to you
• An extra rain fly on top can provide further protection from the wind

Use one or a combination of these ideas to get your toastiest inside the tent.

6. Bring a Hot Water Bottle to Bed

Use a kettle over a fire or an electric kettle powered by a solar generator to heat some water just before bedtime. Pour the boiling water into hot water bottles (usually a flat, rubber material wrapped in a cozy cloth) and toss them into your sleeping bag before bed for a pre-heated sleep space. 

Once you go to bed, strategically place the water bottles around your feet, hands, and core to preserve your body heat. Dump them out in the morning and refill them with hot water while sitting around the campsite.

7. Eat a Hot Meal

Maintaining an appropriate internal body temperature will make even frigid temperatures feel less cold, so eating a hot meal before bed can make you warmer. You should also drink hot beverages throughout the day, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Avoid cold food and alcohol at night, which can lower your body temperature. 

Use your campfire or a solar-powered electric camp stove to warm your meals for optimal body temperature.

8. Use a Dehumidifier

Moisture inside your tent will chill quickly from low temperatures and can suck warmth from your tent. Using a small dehumidifier can reduce condensation and dampness lingering in your tent, improving your comfort by keeping the tent dry and warm. 

Just ensure the dehumidifier machine has proper air circulation, and dump any moisture it collects every few hours. Consider dumping the water collected even more frequently if you notice high humidity levels.

9. Cuddle for Warmth

Body heat can be a game-changer when struggling to stay warm in freezing climates. Consider sharing a tent or sleeping bag with a fellow camper to maximize body heat. The more physical contact, the better, but even two people in separate sleeping bags in one tent can maintain more heat than each of you in a separate tent. 

Pet heat can also help. Use your dog’s body heat inside your sleeping bag to keep you both warm. They’ll love getting to snuggle up, too.

10. Layer Up Your Sleeping Area

We’ve discussed layering clothes and ground insulation for your tent, but you should also consider layering in your sleeping area. Use sleeping pads to create more distance between you and the cold ground, add space blankets for reflective insulation, and add as many blankets as necessary to keep you cozy and warm all night.

11. Use a Campfire

Campfires are the original camping heat source. Sitting by a fire to warm up before bed can help elevate your body temperature, but it can also heat rocks or other items that can radiate warmth inside your tent later on. 

Just remember campfire safety: put your fire out before heading to sleep, and use a safe container for the heated rocks, such as a metal pot, so they don’t pose a hazard while you sleep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Camping in the winter requires more bulk to stay warm inside your tent: bulky insulation on your tent floors and beneath your sleeping bag, bulky clothing layered to keep your body temperature up, bulky and hot dinners to warm you from the inside out, and bulk by adding more people to your tent for body heat. 

While electricity is hard to come by at campsites, you can always rely on EcoFlow Solar Generators as an alternative way to power things that can keep you warm, like heated blankets or dehumidifiers. You should also consider investing in the EcoFlow Wave 2 Portable AC, which can also be a portable heater for your tent on the coldest nights. 

By leveraging layers, bulk, and solar power, you’ll be surprisingly comfortable even when camping in the dead of winter.