Autumn is the best season in the forest: no bugs, empty trails and golden light. It is also when first-timers find out how cold a clear night can get. Here is how our rangers stay warm.
Layer like an onion
A thin merino base layer, a fleece mid layer and a windproof shell beat one thick jacket every time. Add or remove a layer before you sweat, not after.
Insulate from the ground
You lose more heat to the ground than to the air. Check your sleeping pad’s R-value: aim for 4 or more in autumn, or stack a foam pad under an inflatable one.
The hot water bottle trick
Fill a hard-sided bottle with hot water before bed, close it tight and tuck it into your sleeping bag at your feet. It stays warm for hours.
Eat before you sleep
A snack with fat and protein right before bed gives your body fuel to burn through the night.