Summer has officially ended but if you’re not a fair-weather camper, you won’t be deterred from exploring the great outdoors over the autumn and winter months.
It may not be as popular but, camping in the cooler seasons offers just as much adventure as the summer months – there’s nothing quite like snuggling under a sleeping bag and stargazing in the crisp night air.
That being said, if you are planning to camp over the coming months, there’s a few things you need to take into consideration, or invest in, to ensure that your trip is enjoyable and safe.
Here are a few of our top tips for camping in the colder weather:
Don’t forget your sleeping bag
It goes without saying, but sleeping bags are a fantastic way of keeping warm once the temperature drops however, it’s important to find the right one. There’s a wealth of sleeping bags designed to insulate and even ones that operate like an electric blanket if you’d like some extra cosiness.
Given the fact that cold air rises upwards from the earth, it’s also not advisable to sleep on the ground. Instead, you can invest in a sleeping mat which will keep you warm and add a little bit of extra comfort while you get some shut eye.
Think layers and warm fluids
In Northern Ireland, the weather is unpredictable at the best of times, never mind in the colder months. If you’re planning an outdoor adventure, prepare for four seasons in one day (seriously) and make sure you pack plenty of layers and a waterproof coat to keep you warm and dry.
It’s something your mother probably always told you but, drinking plenty of warm fluids is a great way to stay toasty. Investing in a travel mug means you can take your tea or coffee on the move and it will stay hot four hours.
Turn on the lights
As we approach winter, the dark mornings and evenings will be closing in once again. Depending on the time of year, it can begin getting dark as early as 4pm and if you’ve forgotten to pack a light source, camping in the pitch black is less than favourable and not to mention, very dangerous. Make sure you invest in a few lanterns and torches before you set off – you can thank us later!
Ensure you buy the right sized tent
The size of tent you purchase will depend on the number of people that are going on the camping trip. For the purposes of conserving heat, your tent shouldn’t be too large. Think of your house – the smallest room will likely heat up quicker and hold heat the best – a tent works off the same principle. Don’t be tempted to buy a large tent for a small number of people or you might just find yourself shivering.
Be prepared
As with any outdoor trip, regardless of the season, you should be prepared for all eventualities. Pack a spare change of clothes, hats, gloves, scarves, extra socks, extra jumpers and always, check the weather forecast before setting off. All the equipment in the world won’t make a difference if you’re heading off in the middle of a storm with gale force winds.
Luckily, Jans Lifestyle can cater to all your outdoor requirements – whether you need a tent, a sleeping bag, a camping stove or a travel mug, you’ll find everything you need at our Boucher Road showroom or online at: www.janslifestyle.co.uk.
