Winter camping heating options

Bullwinckle

Bullwinckle

Hooked
Hey everyone, I’m hoping to get out winter camping at least once this year and have been looking at options to heat the tent/sleeping bag. Iv looked at the diesel heaters but honestly they aren’t really in budget as of now and I don’t want to skimp out on the cheaper versions for them only to break down. Although if you’ve used them I’m all ears on all of your reviews.
Recently I found a sleeping bag heater that’s essentially a heating pad on Amazon and was wondering if anyone has used them before? What are your thoughts on them? If not any other heating options you guys have I’m open to.

Here’s a pic of what I was looking at
IMG_6442.jpeg
 
Thanks Doug, I have done that before and it does work amazingly!! But sadly it does wear out. Leaving us cold come around 5am. My ladys starts complaining when we need to start changing for the day. Even with our cloths in the sleeping bag prepared inside for the next day. I think we had the same problem as once it started cooling down. Looking for an option that stays heated through the night. I’m afraid I may just have to get the diesel heater. Was hoping the heating pad may work. Was looking to see if anyone has used it. Should of been just strait forward with that… 🤦‍♂️


Before that though I’m going to buy this sleeping bag heating pad and try it out I guess and be a guinea pig for it if no one else has tried it.
 
I have a 12-volt electric blanket my daughter gave me, it works but being 12volt, I worry about how hot the wiring gets and have to disconnect and run the Jeep to check the battery
 
HighwayTrout said:
Goose down.

Almost as expensive as a diesel heater. But a real nice sleeping bag or blanket from a company like Western Mountaineering is all you should need.

The trick is to stay dry and manage your layers and keep them away from the tent walls.
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Oh yea down is expensive. So sounds like I need to invest in a double down sleeping bag for the RTT. We have bought a bit of wool layers but how expensive they are only got a few. I’ll look into those sleeping bags. Thanks for the recommendation. Should help doubling them up clothing and sleeping bags.
 
Bullwinckle said:
Oh yea down is expensive. So sounds like I need to invest in a double down sleeping bag for the RTT. We have bought a bit of wool layers but how expensive they are only got a few. I’ll look into the the sleeping bags and shop around. Thanks for the recommendation. Should help doubling them up clothing and sleeping bags.
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look at the temperature ratings, being too hot and sweating when it's cold is as miserable as being too cold
 
I’ve been running the vevor diesel heater for about a year and a half now. It’s worked amazingly. I did do a couple things to it. I added a fuel filter, better air cleaner and a better heat duct. From what I gathered when the German patent expired china started using them. I will say unless you know how to work on them, they are throw away items because customer service is non existent.
 
jeeeep said:
look at the temperature ratings, being too hot and sweating when it's cold is as miserable as being too cold
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Ok will do!
black pearl said:
I’ve been running the vevor diesel heater for about a year and a half now. It’s worked amazingly. I did do a couple things to it. I added a fuel filter, better air cleaner and a better heat duct. From what I gathered when the German patent expired china started using them. I will say unless you know how to work on them, they are throw away items because customer service is non existent.
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Thanks I’ll look into them. Although I don’t know how to work on diesel heaters I am pretty good at figuring things out. I would use a CO2 detector in a small area before I use it and also in my tent. But if they go out yea not going to try. Fixes I don’t want to even try. The mods I don’t think will be a problem.
 
Bullwinckle said:
Ok will do!

Thanks I’ll look into them. Although I don’t know how to work on diesel heaters I am pretty good at figuring things out. I would use a CO2 detector in a small area before I use it and also in my tent. But if they go out yea not going to try. Fixes I don’t want to even try. The mods I don’t think will be a problem.
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I believe I was under $200 for everything. They work off a heat exchanger system so the heated air and exhaust stay separate. We used it about a week ago last it was in the mid 40s at night and on its lowest setting we cracked a window because it was getting too warm. Down at hammers it was a game changer 🤣
 
Bullwinckle said:
Thanks Doug, I have done that before and it does work amazingly!! But sadly it does wear out. Leaving us cold come around 5am. My ladys starts complaining when we need to start changing for the day. Even with our cloths in the sleeping bag prepared inside for the next day. I think we had the same problem as once it started cooling down. Looking for an option that stays heated through the night. I’m afraid I may just have to get the diesel heater. Was hoping the heating pad may work. Was looking to see if anyone has used it. Should of been just strait forward with that… 🤦‍♂️


Before that though I’m going to buy this sleeping bag heating pad and try it out I guess and be a guinea pig for it if no one else has tried it.
Click to expand...
A few videos I watched recommended the Kovea Cupid Gas heater for heating small enclosed spaces such as in a vehicle or tent. At least some level of air ingress is recommended.
 
Bullwinckle said:
Hey everyone, I’m hoping to get out winter camping at least once this year and have been looking at options to heat the tent/sleeping bag. Iv looked at the diesel heaters but honestly they aren’t really in budget as of now and I don’t want to skimp out on the cheaper versions for them only to break down. Although if you’ve used them I’m all ears on all of your reviews.
Recently I found a sleeping bag heater that’s essentially a heating pad on Amazon and was wondering if anyone has used them before? What are your thoughts on them? If not any other heating options you guys have I’m open to.

Here’s a pic of what I was looking at
View attachment 415856
Click to expand...
I've done many winter backpacking trips and have never used a heater. Even in single digit temps. I would highly recommended investing in a good pad with a high R value. Insulating yourself from the ground is huge. I also have some goose down booties. They look like astronaut shoes but they're so nice for the toes.
 
WJCO said:
Yes but fluffier

zpacks.com

Goose Socks

Zpacks Offers the Best Lightweight Backpacking Gear: The Ultralight Goose Down Socks are proven to keep you warm on those cold nights around camp.
zpacks.com zpacks.com
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Those are great!
Zpacks make great stuff.

It’s pretty insane how comfortable you can be with those booties and good beanie
 
HighwayTrout said:
Those are great!
Zpacks make great stuff.

It’s pretty insane how comfortable you can be with those booties and good beanie
Click to expand...
They really do. I bought a lot of their stuff when they were just getting started. Still have 2 of their packs with no defects.

And this to match the boots (it was cheaper back in the day) :

zpacks.com

Goose Down Hood

Zpacks Offers the Best Lightweight Backpacking Gear: The Ultralight Goose Down Hood is proven to keep you warm on those cold nights around camp.
zpacks.com zpacks.com
 
Bullwinckle said:
Hey everyone, I’m hoping to get out winter camping at least once this year and have been looking at options to heat the tent/sleeping bag. Iv looked at the diesel heaters but honestly they aren’t really in budget as of now and I don’t want to skimp out on the cheaper versions for them only to break down. Although if you’ve used them I’m all ears on all of your reviews.
Recently I found a sleeping bag heater that’s essentially a heating pad on Amazon and was wondering if anyone has used them before? What are your thoughts on them? If not any other heating options you guys have I’m open to.

Here’s a pic of what I was looking at
View attachment 415856
Click to expand...
I’ve done some tele ski camping years ago. We just used a super thick mummy sleeping bags with a couple layers of thick foam sleeping pads. Kept us warm in tents and quigloos.
 
WJCO said:
I've done many winter backpacking trips and have never used a heater. Even in single digit temps. I would highly recommended investing in a good pad with a high R value. Insulating yourself from the ground is huge. I also have some goose down booties. They look like astronaut shoes but they're so nice for the toes.
Click to expand...


Definitely the ground pad. What’s under you is just as important as your bag or clothing.

Also as @jeeeep stated don’t over heat, once you start to sweat you’re screwed.
 
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