Welcome, winter

With Jack Frost knocking at the door, there's no need to stay home. Here are six camping essentials to keep you cosy – plus our tips for dressing warmly in cold weather.

- Cyril Klopper

Winter may not be the ideal time to camp, but if you do brave the cold, you'll often be rewarded with an entire resort to yourself and your travel partner. Some areas do get bitterly cold, though – especially on the Highveld and the plains of the Free State. The West Coast and most of the Western Cape are slightly warmer, but the rain can be relentless and dreary.

All is not lost: Here are some ideas to help you stay snug while camping inland or on the coast.

CADAC SAFIRE HEATER

Ring of fire

This old favourite screws directly onto any Cadac gas cylinder, and the amount of heat it puts out is impressive for something with a modest diameter of just 32 cm. It uses gas at a rate of 170 g per hour, which means it'll burn for almost 30 hours on a 5 kg cylinder. You light it using a Piezo igniter at the back of the reflector plate - far safer than trying to strike a match with trembling hands at the front...

Price R900 at Outdoor Warehouse (gas cylinder not included).

K-WAY MMXXI STRIDE PUFFER JACKET

Dressed for success

This South African brand released this jacket in April this year, just in time for winter. The goal was a warm coat that still allows you to move freely - good news for those of us who wrestle with roof-top tents and ground tents in icy weather. It’s made from durable nylon with a TPU membrane, making it water-resistant. Granted, it’s not as waterproof as a proper raincoat, but it'll keep you dry in light drizzle.

Price R1 800 at Cape Union Mart.