Clothes for a camping weekend

Short answer: Two nights in a tent mean cold mornings, warm middays and damp that does not go away. Clothes that dry on their own matter more than thick clothes, and three thin layers cover the whole range of the day.

Mornings are the coldest

The temperature drops to its lowest just before sunrise, and that is when you wake up cold. The sleeping bag is warm, but that is not the air you get up into. An extra layer in the sleeping bag gets used every morning, because it is warm when you put it on. A bamboo hoodie for men works as a layer and a pillow.

Damp stays in the tent

Condensation drips from the tent fabric, and anything left loose gets damp overnight. Damp clothes are cold to put on in the morning, and they dry slowly in a tent. Pack your clothes away in the evening in a bag. See best sellers from Copenhagen Bamboo for layers that dry quickly.

The day swings a lot

From five degrees at six in the morning to twenty five at two in the afternoon is a big range in a few hours. What you needed with your morning coffee is far too warm at lunch. Three thin layers cover it all, because you can take them off one at a time. See the range for men.

Pack by days, not by weather

It is easiest to pack one set of underwear and socks per day, plus two tops to swap. That way you always have something dry, even if it rains or the dew has reached what you wore yesterday. Clothes that take little space and roll up easily leave room in your bag for everything else.

The evening by the fire

When the sun goes down, the temperature drops quickly again, and you sit still by the fire or the table. That is when the hoodie comes out. A soft layer with a hood keeps warmth around your neck and head. Smoke clings to clothes, so keep your sleeping layer separate from what you wear by the fire.

Dry your clothes during the day

If something got damp overnight, hang it up as soon as the sun comes out. A line between two trees or over the tent is enough. Thin fabrics dry faster than thick ones, which is one reason thin layers work better for camping. Take everything down again before the evening dew arrives.

Sleep in dry clothes

What you wore all day has picked up moisture from your body, even if it does not feel wet. Change into a dry layer before you get into your sleeping bag. It makes a big difference to how warm you are at night. Use the layer that has been packed away, so it has not taken on damp from the tent.

Socks make the difference

Cold feet keep you awake. A pair of dry socks used only in the sleeping bag is a good camping habit. During the day you walk through grass and on paths where your feet get damp from dew. Change socks when you get back to the tent, and let the damp ones dry while you rest.

Frequently asked questions

How many sets should I bring

One set of underwear and socks per day, and two tops. That way you always have something dry, whatever the weather does.

How do I keep my clothes dry

Pack them in a bag at night. Condensation reaches everything loose in the tent, and damp clothes are cold in the morning.

What about the morning cold

Put an extra layer in your sleeping bag the evening before, so it is warm and dry when you get up.