Anna: “The only time I ever really feel the cold is when I’ve stopped for a quick snack or break, but haven’t put on extra layers. It’s pretty classic to underestimate the bite of the wind or how much your temperature drops when you stop moving. I’ve learned to always have a few extra layers at the top of my rucksack where I can grab them out easily, be that a hardshell or insulated jacket, or even a bivvy to give myself extra protection from the elements.”

Synthetic Baselayers versus Merino

As well as having a good waterproof shell and midlayer insulation, baselayers can be absolutely vital, even on mild days. But with the array of different materials available, picking the right one can come across as a bit of a minefield.

Nicola: “I’m a big Merino fan. I prefer thick Merino garments for the winter. They are so comfy to sleep in and I even go the whole hog and wear a Merino bra, socks and knickers too!”

James: “I don’t like Merino, even though many people swear by it. I find it quite itchy and it irritates my skin. I’m not sure why but it just doesn’t agree with me. I much prefer synthetic baselayers.”

Ash: “I prefer synthetic baselayers. They’re cheap, harder wearing (compared to pure Merino) and don’t hold too much moisture (i.e. they wick well).”

Related: Haglöf’s V-Series Mimic | Review

Mark: “In the summer synthetics are fine and have an advantage as they are more durable (much better for sitting directly underneath your pack straps and dealing with all that friction). In winter wool is my preferred baselayer by far as it can soak sweat and also retain heat. I wear 150 gsm Merino underwear next to skin and then layer over that with a heavier 250 gsm zip-up. I’ll then vent using the zip as needed.”

Don’t Underestimate The Power Of A Hot Drink

Not only will a hot drink in your flask or mug keep you warm on the inside of your body, but it can also help to keep you warm on the outside too. You can hold it in your hands like a hand warmer or even pop it inside your jacket like a hot water bottle. There’s no denying that a good hot drink can be a huge morale booster…

James: “For wild camping I often have a hot chocolate after dinner – it feels like a homely, cosy thing to do. During the day, a flask of hot, sugary tea usually hits the spot too.”

Ash: “It’s nice to have a flask with some hot juice or water to sip at during breaks, but it’s not essential to me unless I’m on an arctic trip. In camp a hot drink is much more of an essential, and I usually like to have black tea, fruit tea, hot chocolate or Horlicks. I can easily drink 1L in the evening and 0.5-1L in the morning.”

Advice For the Overnights

When it comes to winter camping, it should go without saying that you’ll need a good tent, a lofty winter-rated sleeping bag and a sleeping mat with as high and R-value as possible (read our guide to sleeping mats for more on that). But what if you’re out in the field and find your ‘big three’ aren’t quite doing the job for you? Don’t worry – there are a few little tricks you can turn to…

Nicola: “I have two tricks for staying warm when camping. The first is to do star jumps before getting into bed – it helps get the blood flowing and makes you feel warmer. The second is to fill a Nalgene bottle full of hot water. Nalgenes are sufficiently sturdy and strong to cope with this. Then just put your bottle inside a spare sock and you’ve got yourself a makeshift hot water bottle.”

Ash: “I keep a chocolate bar or two at hand, so if I wake up cold in the night I have a munch on that. You get a small kick from the thermic effect of digestion. If not I will run inside my sleeping bag for a minute or two.”

Anna: “Once I’ve pitched up, one of the first things I do is get my sleeping bag out of its compression bag, shake it all out and let all the feathers unpack themselves to make my sleeping bag more efficient once I hop in. I also get a really cold bum when I’m in my sleeping bag (a girl thing, apparently), so I often zip my insulated jacket around the outside of my sleeping bag around this area and that works wonders.”

James: “I often wear an insulated jacket and wooly hat in my sleeping bag, and thick socks to keep my toes warm. But the best way to stay warm is simply to fall asleep quickly and slip away into the warm, cosy land of nod.”

Looking for the perfect insulated jacket for your cold weather adventures? Look no further than the new Haglöfs V-Series Mimic. Available from haglofs.com