It doesn’t matter if it’s 70F outside, a 40-degree rated bag will never keep me warm. I’m cursed. Maybe it’s circulation, or maybe I’m just so calm and relaxed out in nature that my body forgets to pump some warm blood around. I don’t know. But this is clear: I’m a cold sleeper.

These are my strategies to fight off the chill:

Start with the right gear

So obvious, but important: get the right tent, bag, and pad for you and the environment. The tent should be sized appropriately: maximum capacity no more than 1 greater than the number of people in the tent. The sleeping bag should fit you well to avoid extra air you need to keep warm all night. The sleeping bag should be a quality bag with a temperature rating 5-10 degrees F colder than you expect to encounter. The pad should insulate you from the ground, with the highest R-value you can justify.

Manage the problem areas

I’m not sure if everyone has this issue, but two spots send a chill through my body. Cold air hitting the base of my neck or my lower back will ruin a night quickly. So I go to sleep with a base layer shirt that has a long tail, and I make sure to tuck that in. To keep my neck warm, I usually bring along a neck warmer. My current choice is the Outdoor Research Ubertube.

Control airflow

Every time you move around inside your sleeping bag, you provide an opportunity to let that cold air in. Your body displaces some air, pushing it out the top. Then when you stop moving and the bag fluffs back up, cold air from the tent joins the party. So a good drawstring on the sleeping bag, a collar near your neck, and a well-fitting sleeping bag (mummy) help keep that air you’ve already warmed up right where you want it.

Add layers

Trapping air between layers of clothing is a great way to take advantage of the heat your body is throwing off. Insulation works by trapping pockets of air, and you can do the same thing by adding layers of clothing. Clothing. I always start with base layers close to my skin. I often have many layers on top available to me. Well, I don’t like to have dirty hiking pants in my sleeping bag. Sometimes that is the right answer to stay warm.

Important: make sure your layers are dry!

Eat a snack

This is like combining a warm drink and working your muscles. Your body needs to work to metabolize food. That work warms you up from the inside and lasts a long time. I like to save my dessert for right before bed, downing that dark chocolate bar to warm me up all night long.

Warm some tea

Right before bed is a great time for some non-caffeinated tea. Sometimes with the kids we do hot chocolate, but of course that carries with it some sugar risk. Giving your body that warm beverage warms you from the inside and gets you started in a good place.

Work your muscles

I like this option because you don’t have to get out of your sleeping bag. The idea here is that your muscles will keep you warm so find a way to work them from within your sleeping bag. I like doing planks or calf raises. This option is a great way to start off warm when you get into your bag, but also if you wake up cold and need to recover to get a bit more rest.

Boil water

My favorite option when I know it’s going to be a cold night is to boil some water and put it in my Nalgene bottle. That bottle will give off heat for several hours and act as a nice little treat when my feet are feeling cold. Finding that warm water bottle in my bag puts a smile on my face. Obviously, you need to plan for this when thinking about your fuel budget, but if you have that luxury, you won’t regret it.

Get out and move

This is my last resort. When you really need to get the blood flowing nothing will do it like going for a quick jog in the dark in the middle of the wilderness. It is my last resort because it takes a lot to get my head wrapped around getting warmer by getting out of my sleeping bag.

Break out the hand and foot warmers

Fine. I’m adding this one, but it’s my least favorite. I’ve never brought them, but if you are up against some serious cold, it is probably a good idea to have an emergency option to allow your fingers to open up that bear can.