Published November 3, 2023 09:45AM
Cozy Camp Gear For Sleeping Outside This Fall
Just because the temps are starting to dip below freezing doesn’t mean camping season is over. With the right gear, it’s just getting going.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Even though I’m perpetually cold, some of my favorite camping trips have been in October and November. Sipping a steaming hot mug of coffee on a crisp fall morning while I’m still in my sleeping bag (fall camping always calls for coffee in bed) will forever be one of life’s simplest joys. Fewer crowds also usually mean it’s easier to roll in late on a Friday night and still get a campsite. And in many areas, fire bans are over (be sure to check locally) which makes all the difference when there’s a chance of frost in the forecast. Here are six cozy additions to your camp gearbox for when the chill sets in.
TNF ThermoBall Traction Booties ($69)
Plodding around camp in slippers always feels luxurious, but they’re essential to have handy for a 3 a.m. emergency pee. Because let’s face it: lacing up a pair of real shoes in the middle of the night isn’t going to cut it. The ThermoBall traction booties have been longtime favorites of mine since they can be worn as regular booties, or I can step on the heels to turn them into slip-ons for quick on-off when I crawl out of my tent. ThermoBall synthetic insulation cuts the chill and thick rubber soles keep them from getting shredded while milling about on dirt and rock.
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Pant ($260)
Mountain Hardwear’s Stretchdown Pants are some of the few puffy pants I’ve tried that are actually durable enough to wear without baselayers underneath. Which is crucial, since fall camping typically comes with its fair share of grit. The brand’s proprietary weave is burly enough to stand up to the wear and tear of building a campfire, and it’s resistant to scratches from rocks, twigs, and grimy camp stoves that have torn holes in plenty of my puffy pants and jackets. They fit slim, so I can layer them under shell pants while snow camping, but more often than not I wear them on their own in the fall.
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Poler Poncho ($100)
We can all relate to the feeling of being so cozy under a blanket that we can’t bear to get up and burst the self-contained bubble of warmth. With a poncho, you don’t have to. Poler’s Ponchos (which come in at least a dozen fun patterns) are a goofy yet utilitarian way to ensure you stay bundled up no matter what. It’s one of those items you put on as a joke, yet eventually can’t bring yourself to ever take off again. We can’t promise no one will tease you, but if function is your priority, you can’t really get any better than a wearable blanket. In fact, this is the more activity-friendly of Poler’s wearable insulated options (their signature Napsack is a footless sleeping bag), with a hood to block out light weather, and cargo pockets to haul your goods around camp.
Pendleton Yakima Camp Blanket ($259)
As a permanent resident of the backseat of my truck, my Pendleton Camp Blanket is so versatile that it goes just about everywhere with me. The rugged wool design is warm, sturdy, and pretty much indestructible; it seems to actively repel dirt as quickly as I can rough it up. I love pairing it with a double wide camp chair for the ultimate cozy camp couch, and it’s heavy enough to double as a calming weighted blanket when placed on top of my sleeping bag. If you want to stretch, snack, or just roll around on the ground, it makes a great picnic blanket or camp floor, too. At $259, I’d definitely consider this blanket an investment, but it’s likely one that will be passed on for a few generations.
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Skida Low Pile Fleece Hat ($38)
A warm hat is a non-negotiable item on the fall camping packing list, and this one that made it in this year’s 2024 Winter Gear Guide is hard to beat. Made from recycled Polartec fleece, Skida’s Low Pile Fleece Hat boasts a hint of retro, with bright colors and an oversized throwback design that’s right at home in front of a roaring campfire. There’s nothing overly fancy going on here, just a solid low-pile fleece hat that’s the perfect amount stretchy, soft, and warm as a toaster. Plus, the extra height is perfect for pulling over my eyes and blocking my neighbor’s headlamps when I’m ready to snooze.
4 Season Give’r Gloves ($127)
Gloves are typically something I forget about until ski season rolls around—that is, until I roll out of my sleeping bag and try to start my camp stove on a frigid fall morning. They make it so much easier to get breakfast in my belly when all I want to do is burrow deeper into my down bag. Waterproof cowhide leather, synthetic insulation and fleece lining make Give’r’s 4 Season Gloves a go-to for November camping. They’re enough to get through camp chores like lighting a stove or splitting wood, but warm enough to block out the cold and rugged enough to withstand dirt, mud, and snow.