Clothing for a camping trip in a Nordic summer

Short answer: Nights are cold even in July. A thin layer of bamboo viscose to sleep in and dry socks make the difference between a good and a bad night.

Sleepwear in a tent

Sleep in dry clothes, never in what you have worn all day. Damp clothing cools the sleeping bag from the inside, and the warmth you contribute yourself escapes through the damp layer instead of being held in place. See bamboo sleepwear.

Socks are happiness

A pair of dry socks used only inside the sleeping bag is the simplest luxury on a camping trip. Feet are often the first thing to get cold at night, and dry socks make a surprisingly big difference to sleep quality. See bamboo socks for women.

Layers over thick sweaters

In the evening the temperature drops fast, often more than you expect even in the middle of summer. Three thin layers are more flexible than one thick sweater, because you can adjust based on how cold it actually gets as the evening goes on. See bamboo clothing for women.

Moisture is the real enemy

It is rarely the cold itself that ruins a night in a tent, but the moisture that builds up in clothing and sleeping bag. Change into dry clothes before you crawl into the sleeping bag, even if you do not feel wet, because sweat from the day often sits in the fabric.

A hat for the night

A large share of body heat escapes through the head as the temperature drops. A thin hat costs nothing in weight or space in your bag, but it can make a noticeable difference to how well you sleep through the night.

Avoid cotton close to the body

Cotton holds onto moisture and dries slowly, which is exactly the opposite of what you need in a tent. A fast-drying material like bamboo viscose feels dry sooner, even after a damp day of rain or dew.

Pack an extra layer for the morning chill

Mornings can be colder than evenings, especially if the tent sat in shade overnight. An extra layer right next to the sleeping bag means you do not have to dig through your bag while shivering at dawn.

Put tomorrow's clothes in the sleeping bag overnight

Put the clothes you plan to wear the next day at the bottom of the sleeping bag overnight. That way they are warm and ready to put on, instead of cold and damp, when you crawl out early in the morning.