This Affordable Lowe's Insulation Is An Underrated Winter Camping Essential

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If sitting between four walls tends to make you crazy when the wind grows cold and the snow starts to fall, it might be time to plan a winter camping trip. Whether you're in a tent, an RV, or have a pop-up camper, camping in the cold is a whole different beast than it is in the summer, where you can grab a few sleeping bags and drift off under the stars. You need to know the rules for winter camping to stay healthy and safe, assess your cold tolerance, and determine the appropriate gear to bring. There are some great tips and tricks out there, like making a low-tech DIY camping pillow and changing your clothes inside your sleeping bag. However, there is a relatively inexpensive winter camping essential you may not have considered: Reflectix Insulation.

This insulation looks like mylar-covered bubble wrap, which can be the perfect way to keep the chill away from your body if you're sleeping in a tent, and to retain heat inside an RV or pop-up camper. We're basing this on reviews posted on TikTok, YouTube, and travel blogs, as well as its popularity among van lifers, with sources including TikTok user @campthropology, the Adventure Journal blog, and posters in Reddit's r/VanLife. (Also, I've used a similar product myself during my time at Syracuse University in upstate New York to help keep my car warm while traveling.) This home insulation product costs about $30 for a 50-square-foot (24-inch by 25-foot) roll at Lowe's and is similarly priced on Amazon.

Reflectix is a reflective insulation, and according to the Reflectix website, it works by reducing radiant heat transfer. Basically, it's reflecting the heat back to you rather than letting it escape. On TikTok, @campthropology mentioned that it's easy to cut and that it's "... like bubble wrap coated in aluminum foil, just not as thick and noisy." He also pointed out that some van lifers cut pieces into the shape of windows to insulate or put them inside slippers. In his video review, he revealed that, when placed at the bottom of the tent, it kept the cold out on six winter camping trips. While the bubbles inside didn't pop, he noted that it may deflate if used long-term. The Adventure Journal blog recommended lining the inside of a camper and insulating windows. A poster on Hammock Forums suggested cutting it to fit inside a sleeping bag.

In addition, a YouTube video from It's Poppin' – Pop Up Camping, with around 84,000 views, tested it out as insulation in a pop-up camper. During the test, the camper was warmed using different heaters and tested to determine how long the heat was retained with and without a Reflectix lining. It was also tested to see if it helped the camper heat up faster. In both cases, the results were better with Reflectix lining. However, the one drawback, according to a couple of posts on Backpacking Light, is the bulk. It's a pretty large roll, despite being lightweight. Okay, you're set for your winter camping trip. Now, just make sure you know what to do to remain safe and sound if a sudden snowstorm hits while you're camping.