Now is the time to get a good sleeping bag if you don't have one. Look for a synthetic or down bag (preferably synthetic). Cotton or flannel bags are bulky, heavy, absorb water, and take a long time to dry out when they get wet. Your bag should be 'cold rated' to 20°F or lower. It should be a 'mummy bag,' with a drawstring hood. The mummy shape conserves body warmth better than rectangular bags. All other things being equal, mummy bags are also lighter in weight and pack smaller since there are no corners. The hood on a mummy bag (together with neck baffles) prevents body heat from escaping from the top of the bag, keeps your head and neck warm, and eliminates the temptation to sleep with your head inside your sleeping bag. (Exhaling into your bag creates dampness which makes you colder.)

Unless you have a sleeping bag with a very low degree rating (0°F or better), it's good to bring a fleece camping blanket during cold weather for additional insulation. The degree ratings on sleeping bags are nominal; a 30° bag by itself will not keep you comfortable at 30 degrees. Fleece blankets are available at outdoor outfitters. In warm weather the blanket can be used instead of a sleeping bag, or you can sleep on top of your bag in the blanket. If you're tight on space in your pack, put the fleece blanket in your day-pack and carry it separately.

Use a camping-grade sleeping mat. (Closed-cell foam, open-cell foam, or self-inflating.)

For cool weather, bring LAYERS of clothing! You will keep hearing this. Three layers of clothing that can be put on or taken off as needed are much better than just one heavy parka. This not only provides more flexibility for changeable weather, but the air between each layer serves as additional insulation. (Air is an excellent insulator.) If an outer layer gets wet, it can be stripped off. In cold weather, bring a combination of sweaters, heavy shirts, sweatshirts/sweatsuits, and a good heavy coat or parka. Minimize the use of cotton during cold or wet weather; it absorbs perspiration and external moisture, which makes you colder. Wool or synthetics are better. High-tech synthetics like polar fleece are excellent, but even something like polyester is better than cotton.

There's nothing worse than being cold for an entire weekend (unless it's being cold and wet). A set of thermal underwear is recommended for October through May. It gets cool at night in the outlying areas even in late spring and early fall when it's nice during the day.

Polypropylene thermal underwear provides excellent insulation with minimum bulk and weight, and it wicks moisture away from your body. It is warmer and less bulky than quilted cotton long johns and dries out faster, but it costs more. Thermal underwear often comes in different weights for different levels of activity; the products designed for higher levels of activity provide more freedom of movement but less protection against cold. Look for this on the package. For standard weekend winter campouts, scouts should generally go for low activity/better cold protection.

You will need warm sleepwear. Don't sleep in clothing that you wore that day or that you will wear the next day; the perspiration will make you cold. A second set of thermal underwear (i.e., other than what you wear during the day) is good to sleep in. Depending on the rating of your sleeping bag, you may want to wear something over the thermal underwear. Wear fresh socks to sleep in. (You can wear the same pair both nights; change them each morning and leave your sleeping socks out to air.)

In cold weather you need a hat that covers your head and ears. You lose a lot of heat through your head. Old saying: "If your feet are cold, put on a hat." Knit watch caps (stocking caps) are a good choice. A second watch cap is good to sleep in; your head will still get cold in a 0° sleeping bag if it is not protected. The hood on a mummy bag is good at keeping cold drafts off your neck, but a knit cap will provide more insulation. Just as with other clothing, don't sleep in the cap that you're going to wear the next day.

In cool weather, have a good pair of water-resistant mittens or gloves with long wrists that will tuck under the cuffs of your coat. You can't keep your hands in your pockets when camping. Mittens keep your fingers somewhat warmer than gloves, although you might not be able to work quite as easily in them. Make sure the mittens or gloves fit well (e.g. the fingers aren't too long), or you won't be able to work efficiently and safely.

You should plan on wearing at least two pair of socks at all times when it's cold. In cold weather, wear thick socks (preferably a wool blend) and separate synthetic sock liners; this provides protection against cold while the sock liners wick moisture away from your feet. You can find thick wool and wool-blend socks at an outdoor outfitter. Bring a change of socks for each day, plus one or two extra pair (your feet might get wet). Wearing two pairs of socks is a good idea for hiking even in warm weather; it helps prevent blisters. Bring extra socks when hiking.

Hiking boots keep your feet warmer than sneakers. And boots normally accommodate a second pair of socks better than sneakers.

Even in winter you need a poncho or rainsuit. It can rain when the temperature is in the mid-30's. Getting wet makes you feel much colder, and promotes hypothermia. A water-resistant coat is not raingear; it usually doesn't come down your legs as far as raingear.

You need personal water just as much in winter as in hot weather. People dehydrate in winter because they don't feel thirsty even though they're working just as hard as in summer and losing just as much fluid.

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