So why go camping when it's cold? It doesn't really sound like a great time. Being cold is actually not fun but if you like a challenge and you want to gain the satisfaction that comes from knowing you survived and even thrived under extreme conditions then the challenge of cold weather camping is for you.
Keeping warm in this day of polypropylene and thermal undergarments, down sleeping bag materials and technologically advanced camping tents is not too difficult. The technology can take of you if you use common sense and utilize it.
The best part of camping in the cold for me is the lack of mosquitoes. If you are lucky enough to camp where there is snow then the campsite you visited in the summer looks like a totally different location.
The difference in misery and enjoyment will obviously be in the clothing. You will want multiple layers of clothing. The air between the layers is what will maintain the body warmth.
The deal is you must have DRY clothing. Moisture in the layers will conduct the heat away. The outside of the layers can be damp or even wet, but the inside layers must remain dry so you won't get chilled.
Additionally, you do not want your clothing or sleeping bags for that matter, to trap body moisture. The material must be able to breathe so perspiration can be removed from the body and evaporated.
You must ensure that you regulate your body heat. You do not want to get so hot that you perspire. Obviously the perspiration will dampen the clothing or sleeping bag which will cause you to get chilled when you start to cool down.
One area of your body where you can control heat loss effectively is around the head and neck area. Putting on a head covering when you are cold and removing the covering when you heat up will help to better regulate your body heat.
The other major area of concern when you are camping in the winter is your feet. Proper care of your feet is essential to camping comfortably in the winter.
You do not want your feet to get damp or wet. Luckily good Gore-tex shoe material will keep your feet dry, warm and will allow for proper ventilation.
My suggestion is to never skimp on the quality of your foot gear. Good wool socks over a thin perspiration whisking material should provide adequate comfort.
Remember that when you are purchasing winter boots to try them on with whatever socks you think you might be using. You may have to get a larger size boot to fit than you would normally purchase for summer camping and hiking.