Nomad traveling – how to deal with low temperatures – van-life

When you have cold feet, and they simply won’t warm up, cold fingers so even typing on the laptop feels alien, and your brain keeps telling you to get a hot shower each and every second – it’s probably a good idea to get warm and with the help of a few simple tricks. This should not stop you from living your van-life.

I think everyone knows how it is to be cold, in my particular case it’s my feet. If they are cold, I’m the most unproductive human being imaginable. Slow, grumpy and just an unpleasant company, even for people who know me for a long time. So here are a few general tricks which can help against low temperatures as well as specific things I do within my daily van-life to improve mood and productivity.

The issue is pretty simple: Dropping temperatures outside combined with living the van-life. Even an excellent insulated car can’t keep up with an ordinary house regarding insulation or heating. So there are multiple ways to heat the van over night, each one of course with its up and downsides.

1st option: Gas heating. 
Pro: Immense heat potential for such a small space
Con: Can be dangerous if not used correctly, needs an air vent or something similar so you will not run out of breathable air over night.

There are multiple gas heating systems on the market. Some are affordable add-ons for your average camping stove others are grown out heating systems which can be added to your big gas bottle and some come with a compact size and internal gas storage.

2nd option: Electrical heating.

Pro: High heat potential, safe technology, easy to use
Con: The best heaters use metric s**t-tons of electricity. You should definitely check the wattage on the heater and the output of your power converter. You will need loads of juice to keep an average heater running.

However as almost anything money can buy they come in different sizes, shapes, forms and also wattage. From the average 600w heater to tiny car – windshield defroster with an average of 150 to 200 watts.

3rd option: Fire. Did this madman just say fire, in a car? Yes, shut up and let me finish.

Pro: Natural light, cozy warmth.
Con: Come on Sherlock, its fire – if I need to explain this here you should probably get back to watching the smurfs or something.

All jokes aside, fire can keep your van warm or at least get the temperature up a few degrees. It totally depends on your use of it. The reason I mention fire is following: I use it to some minimal extent, but I met a girl traveling in a van who had installed a small oven in the car.

4th option: On board heating.

Pro: Easy to use, safe, every van and car comes with one.
Con: Running of the vehicles internal battery. Low efficiency.

The van can get hot just through driving and usage of the standard heaters. However, this will cost you fuel either driving or standing, and the have your motor running. It is the most ineffective way to heat your car and is the worst option for your environment.

Multiple blankets and the 150w windshield defroster

Now my favorite combination to keep reasonably warm when the temperature drops. Some things are not a big deal or secret but to give you a complete overview I’d like to mention everything.
Your clothing does matter a lot, multiple layers of clothing and a beanie. The beanie will provide some protection where your body wastes the most warmth over night: Your head. Basic stuff really but worth mentioning anyway.
Also use multiple layers with your blankets. A normal blanket with another one on top will cost you a few Euros but work perfectly fine.
When I first experienced the cold car I remembered myself to a pro-tip from the time I served in the army. When building an Igloo and sleeping in it over night even the smallest candle or tea light will increase the temperature a few degrees. Sometimes it’s just those 3 degrees to get from cold to average or from average to comfortable. So I use a candle for the time I am awake and in the van.
Another thing I started to do, depending on the temperatures is the 150w windshield defroster. Same here as the candle, just a little bit faster. Since i have a separate battery which is running of solar power, there is no problem in running it all night.
For cold feet, in my individual case at least: Hot water. A simple plastic tub and a cooking pot full of hot water will do the trick. While on the road you will almost be guaranteed to have everything required for you anyway.
Last but not least: Coffee, hot chocolate, tea or whatever floats your boat really. Nothing is more mood lifting, warming and pleasant than something hot to drink. I can’t mention enough the importance of warm food but treat you with the occasional hot drink as well. It takes minutes to prepare but can make you go for hours.