Next Level Winter Camping Gear for Extreme Temperatures

Gear in this video:

How I Layered for this trip:

0:38 Tensor Extreme Mattress
3:07 MSR Reactor
5:08 Giant Puffy Jacket
6:36 Reflectix DIY Insulator
7:52 Mystery Ranch Radix Pack
11:16 Snow Probe
11:41 Snow Shovel
12:20 Access Winter Tent
14:14 Sonic -20 Sleeping Bag
18:03 Outdoor Vitals Down Booties
19:20 Extended Power Headlamp

Other Gear I Use for Winter Camping:

I recently went for a winter backpacking trip in the San Juans of Colorado where the temperatures plummeted to -5 Fahrenheit (-20 Celcius) and yet I was toasty warm. I break down all the gear that I took with me that stood out or that is particularly important for staying safe and warm in the backcountry in cold conditions.

#wintercamping

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[ddff]

Justin outdoors has noted inconsistency with nemo extreme. Suspicions are that the mylar films can stick together eliminating the air gaps. The diagram of how its constructed makes a lot of sense as to how that could happen. The xtherm construction makes it so that the mylar cannot stick together. In extreme conditions, I don't want to have to wonder if the mylar films have frozen or stuck together. Not to mention nemo uses a 20 d nylon and xtherm used a 70 d on bottom.

[josiebones]

Goose feet gear make covers that go over your down socks. While they don't turn your socks into a boot they are really light and add protection to the Sole area, perfect to wear around a snowy camp or to slip over your booties for a quick nature call in the middle of the night.

[leannelewis-holcomb]

Thanks for the info! I have reason to be camping in ND winters, ( it's nice to have my own space and not be underfoot when I visit) this is where 2 of my grandsons live. So I've been researching EXTREME gear, & it's nice to get input from someone who I feel is being real about the merchandise not just earning the perks. Can't wait to see more.

[DebbieDunigan]

I was in a tent during the recent Artic Blast that came thru - Temps in single digits.
I was in a woman's Nemo 15-degree bag, which, due to the vent system, is NOT recommended because the down is reduced in the chest area. I will be replacing it.
I used an Outdoor Vitals air mattress, which worked but will upgrade to an ExPed mattress.
In watching Matti & Stina outdoor guides and dog sled adventures in Northern Sweden - they give excellent advice on extreme weather camping.
I learned from them NOT to inflate the air mattress with 'breath' as this will cause moisture to enter into the air mattress, which will then freeze - could be the cause of the membrane fusing together in that other mattress.
Anyway, having proper gear and knowing its limitations is critical in harsh weather conditions. That's the main reason I'm not an ultralight backpacker. Anyone can camp or hike in perfect conditions. I doubt that when weather goes from bad to worse, any backpacker chimes in with 'yeah, but it only weighs a pound' as they are hammered with the elements.
Safe travels to all

[asmith]

The USA made Mystery Ranch packs are literally almost bomb proof. They can carry 100 pounds of gear...but cost a fortune and weigh 10 pounds empty. I have two smaller packs by them, both made in Vietnam. Excellent quality and much more affordable. If Yeti bought them they'll switch production to China, which doesn't mean they'll be sh*t but it's definitely the end of an era.

[anthonyrstrawbridge]

Moisture management at lower altitudes atmospheric pressure along with temperatures much warmer than -60f can be challenging.

[lifson]

I was looking for a winter bag the past couple months, and looked at the nemos a ton, because they were on sale for way cheap, but after reading a ton of reviews talking about cold spots on the nemos, I ended up with a much more expensive, western mountaineering puma. Previously I'd been using a 30 year old marmot rated for -30f that was awesome, but was always too short and has lost some down to a couple tears over the years. My new western mountaineering puma has insane loft, but with a compression sack gets reasonably smallish.

[discopatrol.]

I have the Sonic 0 and it's a great bag. My only gripe is because of its roomy shape, there is an additional cold dead space near my thighs and knees that needs to be warmed up. It doesn't happen all the time but it just took a little longer to get that full warmth. Once it did, I was solid for the rest of the night.

[qowjorj]

I'm sorry but it's no one else distracted by the hair?! A perm? Hot rollers? Either way, it's great. Hair envy!

[rkatrails]

Yesterday I bought a roll of Reflectix insulation at Home Depot, size 24 in. wide x 10ft long, for $10.00. I plan to cut the length down to 72" to match my pad, then use the leftover to make a cozy for my coffee cup. I also plan to dab both sides of the sheet with tent sealant to prevent it from sliding on the tent floor, and prevent my pad from sliding off of it. I use a quilt, so I will also use the strap to wrap the reflectix to my pad.

[marissasun]

That side entry seems like a game changer. Looking forward to seeing the review!! I have the bags: Mystery Ranch - Bridger 55L Backpack, UltraWeave™ 40L Curve Full Suspension Custom Backpack, and the CS40 ULTRA BACKPACK by Outdoor Vitals on my list for a first backpacking investment for my husband and I. I know I cannot handle too much weight so I am trying to go as light as I can afford to comfort-wise and financially out of necessity lol

[dtroy]

Concerning stove fuel: you can use regular small propane tanks with your isobutane stove. You just need to buy an inexpensive adaptor. It burns the exact same.

The propane tanks are cheaper and good to much lower temperatures. The disadvantage is the bigger and heavier steel tanks.

[aasnong]

You can make a cozy for your food package as well. It stays warm as it rehydrates and you get to eat your food warm. :))) More DIY projects ;)))

[IrixGuy]

So true! I recently returned from Mt. Sterling in Smoky Mountains National Park. It was around zero degrees. I had my NEMO sleeping pad with R Value and slept comfortable in my -10 degree mummy all night!

[Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

With a true ASTM 8.5R there should have been 0.0% "creep" of cold at just -5F. In fact, there should be no creep at -50F or even lower with a pad rated THAT extreme. I have a thermorest mondoking with 7R and there is no cold creep whatsoever in such temps or lower. So I'd question that pads rating. I'm not sure but 7R might be good for even lower then -50F but for sure 8.5R would be good in anything known to man if it were truly rated using ASTM standards.

I'm a big guy, so I need at LEAST a 30" wide pad and at LEAST 3" thick. Being over 6' means I need the long, usually "extra long" offering too. I'm stuck with car camping pads for winter hikes. It SUCKS but there are no true backpacking offerings for us XL guys yet. Hence, the but I sleep WARM anywhere with no concern in the world. Doesn't matter how cold it gets. I'll never feel the ground. I don't think you're using a real 8.5R pad by your description. If you felt anything at all in -5, My guess is, it's probably only a "real" 5R MAYBE 5.5R (being optimistic) ASTM. I can assure you, this is not to be expected, as you describe with a true R rated pad of 7R or better. 6R in fact, should have laughed at -5F. You should have felt super warm all night on a real 8.5R even down to literally -60F. 8.5R is HARDCORE (no one but those in northern Canada, Antarctica and Alaska would ever need one). I've never heard of a pad claiming this yet.

[WolfPackMc]

I know I wasn't the only one who thought we were going to see an Outdoor Boys collab after the last video!

[millerhoo]

Running the xmid 2p without the mesh inner seems like a decent option your should try next time

[UncleGeorgeTV]

I like to bring a thermarest zlite to backup my air mattress also very handy when doing camp tasks to keep knees warm or to pop out and use as a sit mat...Nemo witchcraft 😆 🤣 😂

[jukkavv]

I love these gear videos and thank you Eric for active communication with your audience. You have been really good with answering questions 🙏🏻

[zacharybonner]

Curious to see what happens to Mystery Ranch now that YETI bought them