The Ultimate Cold-Weather Camping Test: FlipSide Heated Bed Cover vs. Single-Digit Temps

A Winter Camping Challenge

This winter, I decided to step up my camping game and test my limits at Mt. Baker—where temperatures were so low, even my beard was shivering. I spent three nights there, battling single-digit temperatures and wind chills that made me question my sanity. The kicker? My sleeping bag was rated for a generous 18°F. That’s a survival rating. Not comfort rating.

I’ve slept outside a lot in my life, I mean a lot. I’ve done plenty of shoulder season and winter camping, and sleeping in my truck up at the parking lot of my local ski hill, but what makes this one different is the shear temps that we don’t usually find up in the PNW. Not only that, I wasn’t here at Baker just for fun, I had to race in the Legendary Banked Slalom. This was my first go at so the stakes were high to get a good night of sleep and be ready for speed!

      The Sleep Setup:

     ✔️ Roam Drifter Tent
     ✔️ Hest Mattress (because why suffer if you don’t have to?)
     ✔️ Mountain Hardwear 18°F Sleeping Bag
     ✔️ Ignik FlipSide Heated Bed Cover (a true hero in the making)

Night 1: The Real Test Begins

I flipped the FlipSide on 15 minutes before hitting the sack, and, let me tell you, my bed felt like a hug that could rival your grandma’s.

• Outside temp: 7°F. Wind chills: 0°F. Just the kind of weather that makes you question your life choices.
• I ran the FlipSide on full power (100%) all night. Honestly, I was expecting some sort of “this is too much” moment, but it never came. The only thing that got cold was my exposed face.
• I actually slept well. No shivering. No tossing and turning. I was pretty sure I was living a dream at this point—an extremely cold, yet warm-in-all-the-right-ways, dream.

Night 2 & 3: Too Warm?

The second and third nights were... unexpectedly warm.  A balmy 13°F felt downright tropical.

• I started in mid-layers, but by the time I was halfway through the night, I’d shed a few layers because I was basically roasting.
• I couldn’t believe it—comfortable in just base layers at 13°F! It was like discovering winter camping’s best kept secret.

Battery Performance: More Than Expected

Now, we all know that cold temps can drain a battery faster than your will to leave the warmth of your bed. But the Yeti battery and FlipSide combo didn’t disappoint.

• No sun for solar charging, so I relied on my Yeti 1000 battery.
• The FlipSide ran 6 hours per night on full power without a hitch.
• After three nights, my Goal Zero Yeti 1000x still had 30% left—enough juice for one more night of heated bliss. The power performance was honestly a nice surprise.

Final Thoughts: 100% Confidence in the FlipSide

The Ignik FlipSide Heated Bed Cover did not just survive the test—it crushed it. I started this trip unsure if this heated bed cover could handle anything colder than a mild autumn evening, and I left with absolute confidence that it could handle the Arctic. Whether you’re winter camping, overlanding, or just need a little extra warmth in your life, this game-changer is worth every bit of space in your setup.

After nights of camping in single-digit temps, I took on the Legendary Banked Slalom—one of the most intense and iconic snowboard races out there. The course was fast, technical, and definitely intimidating.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it into the finals this year. But I can say with confidence—it wasn’t due to lack of sleep. Maybe I just need to pick up the pace next time. I’ll be back next year, ready to send it.