4 Secrets to Staying Dry and Warm While Camping

First of all, did you put a ground cloth under your tent? Make sure the ground cloth is completely under the tent. If not the ground cloth will act like a funnel and allow the water to collect under your tent and eventually seep through the floor of your tent. Is the tent setup correctly so all four corners are tight so that it doesn’t collect water? Finally, make sure that the rain fly is installed correctly and also are staked tightly between the corners.

Move all your gear, sleeping bag, air mattress, etc. away from the tent walls. Make sure they don’t touch the tent otherwise moisture will seep through. How? You say. The walls and rain fly of your tent are designed to deflect the water droplets to the ground. If you upset that design by putting your pack, sleeping bag or other gear against the wall of the tent, water will pool and soak through the wall and into your tent!

When you enter your tent after being out in the rain, take off your wet clothes and put them in a corner or at the front of the tent. This way you will “localize” your wet gear and keep your other gear dry.

This one is for keeping warm while sleeping! The key here is the layering technique. You already do this when you dress everyday. You wear layers of clothing shirt, sweater, and jacket to keep you warm and dry during a cold day. If the sun comes out you can remove the jacket and sweater and still be comfortable. You can employ the same technique within your sleeping bag while camping. You can leave the zipper open or open up the bottom on your sleeping bag on a warm evening. If the night is cold you can zip up the sleeping bag to your nose, and pull on the drawstring to trap in your body heat. For more warmth you can put on long underwear, dry socks, and a hat. Maybe even a fleece sweater, jacket or sweatshirt. Again, employing the layering technique to keep you warm and comfortable.