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high r value sleeping pad and summer temps?
- Thread starter JV3
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Shouldn't have any impact other than a little more comfort. The r-value is really just the pad's ability resist heat flow. I guess if the temperatures were really hot, it may not be as comfortable as being closer to a cooler ground for heat loss. I don't think it would be anything I worry about during the hotter times of the year.
ROCK6
ROCK6
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3 or 4 of my closest backpacking buddies agree that there are multiple reasons why closed foam should be considered over open-the biggest being durability. If you're camping on rough stuff, IE on sandy, gravelly dirt, rock, or around thorns and stiff foliage, you are going to find that open cell pads get scratched and popped very easily.
If you roll around alot when you sleep, the individual cells of an open cell pad will heat up and lose heat very rapidly. The high R value assumes you're laying on it flat and still. This is one reason why most cold-weather campers prefer closed cell foam.
Another reason is that the closed cell pad doesn't inflate/deflate with drastic temp changes. Something to consider.
If you roll around alot when you sleep, the individual cells of an open cell pad will heat up and lose heat very rapidly. The high R value assumes you're laying on it flat and still. This is one reason why most cold-weather campers prefer closed cell foam.
Another reason is that the closed cell pad doesn't inflate/deflate with drastic temp changes. Something to consider.
JV3 -
I've used most of the name-brand foam sleeping pads on the market (even a couple of the open-cell exercise pads) and without hesitation or reservation, the US Army OD Green closed-cell sleeping mat is the best.
The others aren't even close.
I've felt the cold creeping through my various Therm-a-Rests - now i use only them as spares, for loaners or warm temps.......
I use my OD green as the base-pad (with a self-inflating over it) for winter backpacking/mountaineering trips. They're super durable and do a great job as a frost barrier from the cold ground. If you're looking for something for warmer temps then by all means get a Therm-a-Rest or whatever-brand closed-cell pad, just make sure it's actually closed cell foam and not open-cell.
Usually i look down at Mil-Surp gear as cheap, durable solutions (i was a grunt for long enough to learn..). However, in this instance save some $ over the Therma-Rest's, etc and pick up one of these GI versions. Then, cut it to 3/4 length from the opposite end as the handy attached straps and enjoy. The extra bit you slice off can be used as a seat/kneeling pad for general camp stuff. Plus, it's OD green and more 'blendy'....
I've used most of the name-brand foam sleeping pads on the market (even a couple of the open-cell exercise pads) and without hesitation or reservation, the US Army OD Green closed-cell sleeping mat is the best.
The others aren't even close.
I've felt the cold creeping through my various Therm-a-Rests - now i use only them as spares, for loaners or warm temps.......
I use my OD green as the base-pad (with a self-inflating over it) for winter backpacking/mountaineering trips. They're super durable and do a great job as a frost barrier from the cold ground. If you're looking for something for warmer temps then by all means get a Therm-a-Rest or whatever-brand closed-cell pad, just make sure it's actually closed cell foam and not open-cell.
Usually i look down at Mil-Surp gear as cheap, durable solutions (i was a grunt for long enough to learn..). However, in this instance save some $ over the Therma-Rest's, etc and pick up one of these GI versions. Then, cut it to 3/4 length from the opposite end as the handy attached straps and enjoy. The extra bit you slice off can be used as a seat/kneeling pad for general camp stuff. Plus, it's OD green and more 'blendy'....
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Might not sleep too warm, unless you're getting into 70+ degree temps-from what I've read, anyway. Probably depends on what's on top of you, too. I've seen people talk about using Exped Downmats in the summer with no complaints on backpacking forums, though.
I'm sure it will be a lot more comfortable than any foam pad, regardless. I haven't even looked at my foam or self-inflating pads since getting a BA Air Core and Insulated Air Core. I sleep as comfortable on them as I do at home.
I'm sure it will be a lot more comfortable than any foam pad, regardless. I haven't even looked at my foam or self-inflating pads since getting a BA Air Core and Insulated Air Core. I sleep as comfortable on them as I do at home.
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thanks! yeah, that's what i figured since the inflatable i bought doesn't have a reflector coating like my ridge rest solar ccf.
thanks! yup, i only buy the closed cell foam mats.
thanks!
thanks! that's exactly what i bought (exped downmat 9) and wondering about summer temps with it. i guess the extra comfort will outweigh the un-wanted increased warmth in the summer.
thanks! that's exactly what i bought (exped downmat 9) and wondering about summer temps with it. i guess the extra comfort will outweigh the un-wanted increased warmth in the summer.
Ohhhhh that looks sooo nice! I've been thinking about one for awhile now, but just haven't "needed" it (well, enough to justify the cost anyway...).
I was actually going to mention this pad in my earlier post, but didn't want to get off-topic with a product that was so different from what i thought you communicated.
We're expecting a thorough review citing testing criteria, conditions, comparisons and LOTS of pics!
Color me green (with envy!!!), it's been really well-tested in the backpacking community and it's only real "Cons" are 1) weight/size and 2) cost.
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Only thing I've found bad about sleeping on a pad that isn't breathable in hot weather is that your sweat pools on it and then you kind of stick to it.
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I just bought the exped Downmat7 - and love it! It beats the pants of my previous winter configuration which was a standard thermorest with a ridgecrest foamy under it. As for using it in the summer - no downside except that its going to be larger. Ha, I've got my eye on an exped Synthmat UL - just because the darn thing pack so small and is half the weight of the 7. But, you will never regret having to much r's!
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I looked at the Synmat UL7 when I bought my Air Core. I liked the Air Core almost as much, and it was 1/3 the price so I got it.
The Expeds are the nicest sleeping mats I've seen, though. If I had a fatter wallet, I'd probably have been telling you about my Expeds instead of mentioning my Big Agnes ones:thumbup:
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Ohhhhh that looks sooo nice! I've been thinking about one for awhile now, but just haven't "needed" it (well, enough to justify the cost anyway...).
I was actually going to mention this pad in my earlier post, but didn't want to get off-topic with a product that was so different from what i thought you communicated.
We're expecting a thorough review citing testing criteria, conditions, comparisons and LOTS of pics!
Color me green (with envy!!!), it's been really well-tested in the backpacking community and it's only real "Cons" are 1) weight/size and 2) cost.
i'm going on another 2-nighter this fri (it'll be a monthly thing for me this year hopefully). no one ever complained about my camping threads lacking in pics
i'll sleep in my undies when i get too hot. my spots are well hidden so no risk of traumatizing other campers with my desk-bound job physique
thanks, ken! now i remember where i read about exped - it's in one of your overnighter threads a few weeks ago where there was loads of snow on the ground.
no fat wallet here either. as much as i like cold weather, i'm tired of shivering at night trying to sleep
hopefully, this is enough so i don't have to buy a 0 deg bag next winter too so in the end i save money. you've definitely spent more nights out there than me so that's good to know i picked a good one :thumbup:the only "downside" is weight and volume when you don't need the r value of a winter pad, an r value of 3.5 is sufficient for temps to freezing or a little below- which covers most 3 season backpacking; you can find inflatable pads in the 3.5 r range that are 1/3 the weight (and a lot less volume)
I will say it's one dandy of a winter pad!
I will say it's one dandy of a winter pad!
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True. That's the beauty of the Exped; it has a built in hand pump to inflate.
Square_peg
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Extra R-value underneath you won't bother you in summer. Just don't crawl into a 0° bag on a 70° night. If you're back packing look into a NeoAir mattress from REI. For car camping just get a Coleman air bed.
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@OwenM, kgd, DevilsKnob, and any owners of exped pads: how are you guys letting it self inflate when setting up camp? the instructions say to leave the valves open and leave it flat to self inflate to 80% then top it off with the pump afterwards. mine never self inflated on this weekend's trip - it makes sense since the valves are one way only (unless i pinch it open) so how is it going to self inflate? maybe i'm missing something but mine stayed compressed even after an hour so i just pumped it up. also, since it doesn't self inflate do you store it partially or fully inflated then when at home?
it's too dandy - i slept most of the time this past weekend's 2-nighter
I will say it's one dandy of a winter pad!
it's too dandy - i slept most of the time this past weekend's 2-nighter
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Weird. I even looked at the videos on their site, and they say the same thing, though I don't see how an air mattress that isn't full of foam is supposed to self-inflate. My Air Cores have to be blown up from start to finish. I store them either rolled in their stuff sacks, or laid out under a spare bed either inflated or with the valves open. That last is what the manufacturer recommends, but I really don't think it matters with my particular mats. Two layers directly on top of each other when deflated-there's no air circulation, no self-inflation, no way moisture is getting out if it is in there, so I just don't worry about it. I think that since your pad has down in it, I would leave it at least partially inflated to maintain the loft of the down. Maybe I should be doing that with my Insulated Air Core, too, since it has a panel of climashield grafted to one side inside the mat...
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I will eyeball this when I get home, but given the one-way valves, I don't see how an Exped would self inflate without jamming a valve open. JV3, I store my synmat rolled up, but maybe it would be better to inflate. I have the email for their US customer service guy, they've been outstanding, may ask then.
I got their cover, intend to use it to sleep directly on the mat with a Woobie this spring.
I got their cover, intend to use it to sleep directly on the mat with a Woobie this spring.
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@OwenM, kgd, DevilsKnob, and any owners of exped pads: how are you guys letting it self inflate when setting up camp? the instructions say to leave the valves open and leave it flat to self inflate to 80% then top it off with the pump afterwards. mine never self inflated on this weekend's trip - it makes sense since the valves are one way only (unless i pinch it open) so how is it going to self inflate? maybe i'm missing something but mine stayed compressed even after an hour so i just pumped it up. also, since it doesn't self inflate do you store it partially or fully inflated then when at home?
it's too dandy - i slept most of the time this past weekend's 2-nighter
It doesn't self inflate, its pump inflate. Since you've already done it, you know that when you first start pumping its depressing. Its like that sucka never going to fill...pump..pump..pump...pump (aaaarrgggh)....pump...pump...pump (what I think I see a little dimple of air over there) pump...pump..pump...what the hell....By the time you get to the about 1/3rd filled, then for some reason that pump starts to really work. Anyhow, the first time I was pumping, I thought screw this but then it in the end it doesn't seem bad. I like that fact that I don't get my pristine down filled with KGD coodies....They sell a pump pillow (no, its not a penis enlarger) that is a more efficient pump and acts as a pillow. If I ever see it on the shelf at REI I might give it a go. If you are used to self inflating thermarests that require two or three puffs to finish off then this is kind of a step backward. But then again I think it kicks butt on comfort and packing volume is far superior to thermarest type pads of equivalent R.
I store my pad, as well as sleeping bags on top of the gorilla shelves in my garage. I also keep it with a few pumps of air in it just to keep things fluffy. I try to keep the sleeping bags out of their stuff sacks and spread out during their down time.....