At 56 I find a queen size blow-up mattress, in an 8 man tent, with a heater, makes my Glamping good down to 20°. If it gets colder, the nearest motel is not that far away.
If you are camping in the winter, remember snow has, on average, an R value of 1/in (1/2.54cm for those who prefer metric measure). So pick a campsite with lots of fluffy snow and you will be much warmer than on cold hard frozen ground. Note: the R value of snow varies with moisture content and granularity of the snow. Thus fresh light snow will be warmer than older more compacted snow.
I hear lots of people who have an air mattress as their primary pad, and they put closed cell foam underneath. I experimented with the closed cell foam pad on top and found it to be much warmer. Putting the insulation right against your body makes a bigger difference than having it 2" away. It's like the difference in warmth between a form fitting bag and a large rectangular bag, or more exactly, having an air gap between your hammock and your underquilt.
I think that the reason people put the foam pad down first is to protect the air mattress from punctures. Many of the ultralight air mattresses have really thin material to cut weight. The trade off is durability.
Here in Sweden when it is really cold we use to fold the EVA plastic sleeping pad in half and put it under the part of the body where you are heaviest, so it will isolate best at that area. Then some alternative instead of this survival blanket to make the sleeping warmer is to use a sleeping bad liner you have inside the sleeping bag (increase the isolation about 5 degres celsius) and it is also protects the bag from getting dirty. Also you have these sleeping bag covers (increase the isolation about 5 degres celsius). You even have them who are gortex and water proof and protects very good against wind and water and also protects the sleeping pad and sleeping bag against sparks if you are sleeping close to a fire.
A comment on your final bit about reflective “blankets”. These blankets reflect radiated thermal energy (electromagnetic waves) which is different than conducted heat transmitted through thermal resistors like pads. If pads were pure thermal resistors, it would not make any difference whether you put the reflective blanket on top of or underneath the pad. Modern pads contain reflective elements internal to the baffles so the analysis is a little more complicated, but putting the reflective blanket underneath the pad will still reflect any RADIATED energy that manages to get through the pad but will have absolutely no effect on conducted energy escaping into the ground. That’s what the air in the pad is for.
There! Finally someone who gets it about how to (not) use reflective blankets! 99% of internet advice on using these are just pure bullshit. Those who tout them are often either sleeping in too warm conditions to notice any effect, or they already have so much insulation that they couldn't tell the difference. Kudos!
And don't crawl in your sleeping bag/quilt cold! You probably won't warm up no matter how good your system is, if the temps outside are super cold. Warm yourself up first with some jumping jacks or something.
I like to stuff some gasoline soaked rags in a pillowcase and let them smolder under my sleeping bag... 1) I stay toasty warm 2) No mosquitos 3) The fumes leave me with a nice morning buzz.
I got really spoiled car camping with a thermarest pad that had a r-value of over 11and huge 0 degree bag lol. Now I motorcycle travel and camp so need smaller gear and as a cold sleeper my crappy smaller bag and 3.2 value pad gets cold to quick so I just ordered a down quilt (first down product and first quilt) and the thermarest xtherm. Can't wait to try them out
In the seventies the Marine corps instructed us to put our jackets and clothes underneath our sleeping bags and sleep naked. Supposedly the body radiated heat and the clothes did exactly what you are stating. Putting something underneath the sleeping bag in cold weather.
Nobody is commenting on the other major reason people end up cold: wet or damp clothing! As an adult leader of youth, I'm always encouraging the youth to change ALL of their clothes (including underwear) before getting into their sleeping bag. We all tend to sweat at least a little while we're in the outdoors, and I find that my damp clothing often doesn't get a chance to dry before climbing into my sleeping bag. I like to change into dry clothing including a dedicated set of camp pajamas and warm socks. I can generally warm up in the sleeping bag if I'm dry, and the clean pajamas help keep my sleeping bag clean as well.
That material is called Reflectix and you can buy it at building supply places. Another thing is leave all cotton and wool clothing at home. Fleece is the on,y way to go with a light nylon shell over it that you can take off if you get warm hiking. I’ve been enjoying the outdoors in Alaska for over 40 years and I hate being cold.
Always want to have adequate ratings on all my gear, but I'm a hot sleeper so I'm here just as much for tips on staying a tiny bit chilly, as well as keeping warm.
Great advice. Lots of people tend to forget that you compress the fabric and the heating capability. Good pads or hot rocks under the tent and great options. Granted i sleep in a hamkock so i dont worry about pads as much
😂 Florida summer camping. 65° at night. That’s a funny one. Never drops below 80° at night from June-September. 100% humidity. Mosquitoes. Daily rainstorms. Summertime is all truck camping with the truck running for fans & A/C half the night. I long for the few short “winter” months in Florida to kayak camp.
The dimpling of those textured pads is intended to allow the down to fill those indents to provide NON-compressed insulation so it would better be directly under the bag.
Great video and some great tips. I might add that just like stacking sleeping pads to increase warmth and get dual use of your equipment...I've found I can do the same thing with sleeping quilts. Instead of using a single low temperature quilt, I've been able to get good results by stacking my quilts. I've combined a summer temp 50 degree quilt and a 20 degree quilt and been able to be surprisingly comfortable in much colder temperatures.
They are only a lifesaver if you know how to use them. Other than that they are a pain in the ass. They condensate like crazy. You can't let it touch you or the heat goes through it. They rip really easy. And once a tear starts it's like a bag of chips. I recommend you try one sometime because like any safety gear if you haven't tried it it doesn't do you much good trying to figure it out in an emergency. I carry one two. But I promise you I would have to be pretty damn desperate
@@captainfragger6295 I have used it before and it worked just fine. Yes they are fragile and impossible to fold back up. That's why I consider each one to be only a one night solution.
I cowboy camped while backpacking in and out of Yosemite last September for 6 nights. I brought my 30 degree bag. I just wore my base layer and clean socks and my wool cap while sleeping. I kept my nose and mouth uncovered so as to not get wet in the bag. I slept fine. Only waking when the occasional critter would crawl over me. Good video you have here.
In the words of Bear Claw Chris Lapp, “Didn’t put enough dirt down, saw it right off”. I never sleep directly on the ground. I have a 3season Bibler tent that I use year round. I take a piece of Tyvek house wrap with me to place under my tent to help with rain or melting snow. I always use a sleeping bag pad! And I always stress if you need a mummy bag, alway check the length of the bag. It’s hard to keep your feet warm if your mummy bag it more than a couple inches longer than your body. Just trying to heat up dead space. I also like to make sure my feet are dry and I put on wool socks and a wool toboggan. That just what I do in the fall and winter. Not saying it perfect for everyone, or everywhere.
I hammock camp have a thin closed cell foam pad with a mylar coating love it, my sleeping bag is a ~12° surplus chez army bag. Slept with 10ft drifts around me and low single digit weather never got cold, except when I have to get out of it. Do have a bivy for my hammock but only used it once prefer the open air. My camping buddy says my hammock is bite height we do have bear and mountain lion I'm not worried set up perimeter alarms carry bear spray and last resort a 45 ACP or 12 gauge with slugs.
Totally agree with you about sleeping pads being an overlooked aspect of comfortable sleep, but I also feel like R-values and ambient temps are relative. I just got back from a trip in north Idaho where I used my ancient Therm-a-Rest Prolite 3. Nighttime temps were in the teens, and I slept with the feeling of my back being cool, but not cold or even chilly. Perhaps I’m a freak that way lol...just get out and test the limits of your gear for you (safely, of course). An uncomfortable night outside is still a night outside :)
I’ve been using a torso length piece of reflectix under my neo-air pad and it keeps me toasty. I also fold this section of reflectix and keep it in the large USPS tyvek mailer, which I then use as a sit pad.
I use a neo pad the very thin one the gentleman showed us with a 80/20 wool blanket layed on top of it with sleeping bag. and when ever you want use the blanket for its intended purpose. I camp when I hunt, I hunt in fall and winter vancouver island . I hunt grouse and works perfect under aqua quest tarp next to fire. Note not for ultralight. Realized this was more ultralight backpacking channel some great info here, I'll tell you what, subbed !
I’ve just commented about Exped too as I don’t agree with what he said about Thermarest being the leaders www.snowcountry.eu/exped-downmat-xp-9.html?country=GB&curr=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrNOz6Lf17AIVxbTtCh0ptAbGEAQYAiABEgJ5ZfD_BwE
@@nicktombs1876 definitely haven’t seen anything better than Exped, have you? I’ve gone for the downmat 9 LW but that’s probably over kill for the uk lol
@@alexwood5026 I have that one too. I have several differant air beds for differant situations, I also use a length of Alreflex 2L2 house insulation (silver bubble wrap) that weighs nothing and is a fantastic insulator that I often use with an air bed, it might be overkill for here (UK) but it works great on the Finnish/Russian border at minus 54 C.
Best information was using the blanket to help the not so warm pad you may have until you can get a better pad. Was wondering about doing that before you showed it. Thanks for confirming it could be done.
The Exped Downmat has a higher rating or very similar to the xtherm. I have one and it is incredible and doesn't make any noise when you move around. You should check it out. Great video BTW and thank you from the UK.
I’ve just said about Exped too. They are untouchable with their R value down mats 👍🏼 www.snowcountry.eu/exped-downmat-xp-9.html?country=GB&curr=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrNOz6Lf17AIVxbTtCh0ptAbGEAQYAiABEgJ5ZfD_BwE
Yup, 👍 Exped downmat is one of the best there is IMO. I won’t likely ever buy a thermarest just because I don’t like their fill valve. My Exped schozzel pump sack also doubles as extra moisture protection for my sleeping bag when inside my pack.
I've used a cheap car sunshade under my hiking mattress for a few cold hikes. Aluminium layers and some kind of thin foam. Seems to work, very light and is undamaged after several international missions.
Also buy an inflator bag to blow your pads up. if you use your breath with all it’s moisture, it’ll ruin the R value....especially at freezing temperatures, ice will form inside your pad, so you’re effectively sleeping on an ice pack.
I learnt all that stuff the hard way so it’s great you’re shouting out about it 😍 I always take an extra Zlite mat or something as some of the sleeping mats I’ve had have deflated in the night leaving me exposed to that horrible cold ground 😫 I’ve also had to use my emergency blanket in the way you described-super crackly! 🤣 Thanks for the great vid!
Beyond having a reliable source for weather info, site selection is the most important factor in staying warm. Protect the shelter from wind. Protect the quilt/ bag from touching any damp surfaces. Trekking poles and shoes can be used to curl the edges of the insulating foam pad in to a bowl shape to help with this. As a side sleeper, I have used grommet holes and string to lift the pad corners to take advantage of the extra insulation. Wet feet = cold sleep. Designate 2 pairs of socks constructed of appropriate synthetic or wool based material strictly for sleeping. Use the first pair for 10-15 minutes once the shelter is set up to take inventory and get everything prepped for the morning. This pair will pull excess moisture off your feet. Change in to designated sleep clothes and the second pair of socks to sleep in. Keep them secured in seperate zip lock bag when not in use. Air dry whenever possible. The sleep prep socks get draped on the backpack the next day or dried near the campfire the next evening. This alone will make the difference between a miserable night and a restful slumber. Exposure and hypothermia are the silent stalkers that require constant vigilance as the temperature drops. Even if it means sacrificing time or progress, never hike alone in the cold. A wet sleeping bag is a death sentence. -20 degree bags are great and all.. but, finding one that weighs less than 15 pounds and costs less than a penthouse in Manhattan? Good luck. I am happy with with the flexibility of a 20 degree quiltbag, a pad, and a long narrow synthetic wool swathe that serves a dual purpose as a pillow and foot wrap. More options. Same material weight as an extreme cold bag. If my survival is ever dependant on a noisy sheet of reflectix, I have no business not being in a more substantial shelter. Snow is 32 degrees. Time to stack some sticks, carve a snow cave or get to safety! White/Green Mtn. 4 season section hiker. Thankfully I have many hardened shelter options available when the weather defies predictions. And, it often does. Temperature below zero or wind over 40mph in the winter? Nope. Staying warm at home.
Sleep naked so your body heat warms the bag. I learned this from a newbie when I almost had frostbite on my toes. After I took my cloths off I slept really well the rest of the week.
Having used a 1/2 inch ensolite pad for years of cold sleeping in the mountains, gotta say yer right! But I also violated the second rule of nighttime warmth -- I often wore less-than-dry clothes in my bag!
Thermarest Xtherm is R6.9 For some reason there are not that many Exped reviews but the Dura, previously Downmat is R7.8 and the foam filled (somewhat self inflating) go down to R10
Great video I have been waiting for this i like the way you raise the r value not so much because of the heat value but because it keeps an inflatable mattress from getting punctured can you please make an r value mattress for long term hikers who don't want to repair punctured bags and are willing to carry the bulk and weight
There are actually many variables about sleeping cold. The gear is only half the equation. Is the sleeper hydrated? Getting over an illness? Well fed? Totally exhausted? Stressed? Is the sleeper dry? etc. All these make a huge difference. Then there are other factors such as altitude, ie, you generally sleep colder at higher elevations. Shelter is also a big factor. All the warm pads in the world are not going to help when you have a strong cold wind whipping through your bag. On the other hand, if you doubt the importance of a good pad, spend a night on a non insulated air mattress on the snow. Pads are a give and take. You must ask yourself if you are willing to carry the extra weight for a good warm pad, or do you want to carry less weight and bulk and get creative making a pad out of what is available at the camp site and/or what you carried up to the camp.
lol, 65 degrees in Florida in the summer...That's winter weather (I'm from south Florida). It's more like 85 degrees as the low temp with humidity making it feel like 90 at 3 AM. Using that therma-rest pad you would die of heat stroke by morning. In south Florida you don't camp in the summer unless it's underwater, and in the winter you hammock camp with no under quilt or sleeping bag while using a portable fan. You will still be soaked with sweat by morning, but you won't die from heat stroke.
I just always put a wool blanket inside my 3o• bag. I never knew the pad were for R value, however I’ve always used them since I was 18 and went into the Army. Thanks for the info.
I like to layer my sleeping pad. Even in the summer. I start out with a rubber mat and build up. My idea is the rubber mat protects the inflatable. As far as the emergency blanket... I've been down that road. I want time took an old sleeping bag I had when I was a scout. It was a big Coleman and well-worn and Faded. So I got a brown king size sheet that was about the same color and sewed it over the outside leaving the zipper still usable and the bottom zipper. Then I added more insulation because by then it was about half the original size. And on top I put one of those emergency blankets and anchored it down to where it would not move. Then I sewed it up. It works all right. Too well. I could sleep nude in a deep freeze and still be hot. You don't even want to lay on top of it. Because you burn up. I still have it somewhere. If I were going to use that emergency sleeping blanket I would glue it to the cheap foam pad and trim it around the edges. That way you don't have to fool around and it will reduce the noise. They have spray-on adhesive. But I don't think I would ever use one loose again. You can't even breathe without it making a lot of noise.
Very true. I use a thermarest foam pad and an inflatable semi insulated Nemo tensor with my bivy and I've been warm in 5 degree (f) weather with a 20 degree bag. *the tensor has an r value estimate of 4 but they don't test it, so I don't trust it.
I hiked the presidential traverse in New Hampshire in February. I had a down filled parka and a -25 degrees bag. My feet got very cold in the bag. I had to have my plastic boots and my water in the bag with me. I had a space blanket under me.
@@TaysonWhittaker I've SEEN frozen beards and mustaches...wow....the owners were amazed when they looked in the camp mirror...hahahahahahaha!!! Bless and your wonderful videos !!!!
FYI: major downfall to the emergency blankets/sheets is they reflect moisture and humidity. On the east coast and south east where it gets into the low 30's and upper 20's; it is a wet cold and your generating body heat in your tent/shelter can and will cause a significant amount of condensation on those noisy reflective sheets and that amount of moisture can do some serious negative effects to your sleep system, especially goose and duck down filled bags and quilts (treated or not). Overall, best to avoid them shiny crackle things when they can do more harm than good. Just my experience and first hand observations from seeing others suffer.
Very nice video, but I think you made one mistake. Those reflecting space blankets work best when they are about 1 inch away from your body. You need some air space in there, otherwise your body heat will be conducted through the blanket. So if you're using a down sleeping bag, you should put the blanket on the ground, under your pad. You may be able to use it as a ground sheet.
Tossing a Mylar blanket between you and your pad, or between the ground and your pad makes a big difference I've found. Remember, if it's between you (your bag) and the pad, it's noisy and tends to slide around if you are a tumbler while sleeping as you pointed out.
I’ve slept out at -35f and I didn’t get cold. This was over 30 years ago. I used a coup,e layers of Reflectix sheets under my thermarest pad. It was -12F this am at our house. Single digs aren’t cold.
I learned this the hard way. I now have 4 different pads I layer as needed. Closed cell and self inflating foam with a inflatable pad and even in the teens I can use a 30 degree bag with sleeping bag liner and a light blanket and be warm all night.
Thank you for nice good video. But the Thermarest NeoAir XTherm is great but there is one what can handle more cold and have a R value of R7.1 Exped Downmat Winter. And the weight almost the same.
Thermarest pads have a reflective technology. That means when I lay on my X Therm in my house, I can feel my own body heat being reflected. I use their X Lite for 3 seasons and the XT for below freezing. Always interesting videos T.
well I use a wool blanket and 2 plash palatka and I sleep well up here in canada in minus 20 c ...cause first I build a cot and then I make a nice sibirian log fire and a shelter from a tarp...
I don't backpack, so I don't worry so much about weight. I usually just use one of those great big Intex air mattresses. Good info though if I ever decide to shake things up though.
A good video. For an Emergency Blanket try the AMK Heatsheet. They are bigger, stronger, and quieter than mylar blankets and easily fold back up. IceBear Hikes did a video review of them. Good Luck, Rick
Need insulated pad when you get to camp with crushed limestone tent sites in July in Texas. They keep you off the frying pan. I’ve had seam sealer get tacky on a tent set up after dark because of radiant heat from the ground.
Let me take a jab at the 2 possible answers: 1. Shit sleeping pad 2. Not wearing thermals, i wear them all the tine because they are like pijamas, at least merino wool thermals are.
Hi, very good video, but I think you made one error. Those reflective Mylar blankets work best when there is an inch or so of air space between you and the blanket. So it should go under your pad, not on top where it will be close to your skin.
Folks can use pads all day and night. But if you sleep on a snow bank bring a few 10 hour hand warmers. About $1us each and it can heat your tent without choking you to death. Good nuff!
When I was in Scouts, we never used sleeping pads and I only slept cold on 2 nights when temperatures were about 10 F. However, the insulation in our sleeping bags probably acted like a pad because that stuff was so thick (not down). But there's no way I could sleep today without a good air mattress.
Yeah, down only works when its lifted because it traps heat in the air between the fibers, if you were sleeping in basically a duvet, you might be able to retain more warmth
My wife said , " what are you watching, " I said I sleep cold and need to figure out what I'm doing wrong! Lol good info. I bought your sleeping pad and need to get that sleeping bag now
True, sleeping pad is a "if you dont have it, the bag doesnt matter" ... i often find that "i am freezing, i will go in my bag to warm up" is also a very common reason, no, its insulation, not active warmth ... i also often see people being too warm at the beginning of the night, sweat, and get cold later, ( or they go to sleep in damp clothes) ... but true... just a note... there are a lot of matresses with higher R-value than an xtherm, but they are much heavier, its the best when comparing r-value to weight sectionhiker.com/sleeping-pad-r-values/
Is it as simple as just adding the R values together? Adding an R2 mat to an R3 mattress give you the equivalent of R5? Is it like clothing where multiple thin layers added together are more effective than one thick layer? The advantages of several thinner layers seem pretty obvious? You can customise R number to suit environment, can replace a part rather than complete item if damaged, can share with others if circumstances dictate, can upgrade a single layer rather than entire unit?
Some good tips there actually. Here in Norway we have some cold arctic winters. The coldest I have experienced tenting is minus 45 degrees celsius ( - 49*F ) and then you really have to depend on your equipment. Do you ship worldwide? I would love to try out that sleepingpad....
How about you create a normal & wide pad? I'm short, but a wider pad would better suit those of us that like to curl up when sleeping. I don't need a long pad!
Great video! I’m fairly new to backpacking, but thanks to videos like yours I’ve been lucky to learn a lot of things like this from the get-go. Something else I’ve learned along the way that was keeping me cold...having to pee but feeling too cold to get up to do it. Turns out it’s better to just get up and go because your body has to expend energy trying to keep your pee warm as well that could be keeping ME warm. 😬
NeoRest XTherm. R-Value of 5.4. Weighs 17 oz. If you are going camping in the winter or will be at high elevations, this is the only pad I would suggest. I've used them all. From the Nemo tensor insulated to other big box brands. I always come back to the NeoRest XTherm. I'll tell you what, go lay on one. If it's not the warmest most comfortable pad you've ever slept on, then I don't know what I'm talking about. I always say, 2 layers under you is worth 1 layer on top. I take my 15F ZPacks quilt into the teens with the XTherm and have never slept cold once. Anyone else have this kind of success with other pads?
There's a little bad advise in there... winter camping needs a dedicated winter pad. The moisture that gets trapped in a pad in April will drop some serious R values out of it when the mercury drops below freezing.
I am a really hot sleeper... just ordered a quilt 900 fill 10degree quilt... might be too much on the pct ... what do you think... Have the nemo tensor... 3.5 that should be good, right? I have the emergency blanket and will use that to add to the r value.. thank you... noise and all.
I solved this problem today. My ExPed Mega 15 with an R value of 10.1 just came to my house by delivery. Now with my -40F bag I’m all set 😊❤️🇺🇸❄️☃️🛷🔥⛺️🌄
$244.97 yup I looked. Even the price is inflated for that sleeping bag. I've never kept one long enough to need a washing, but at that price I'd get the hose.
I am just cold … unless it is literally 70 at night. 😂 I have 3 different Thermarest sleeping pads … Neoair Xtherm (r value 6.9) Neoair Xlite (r value 3.2) Neoair Uberlite (r value 2.3) And use a 20° quilt in warm weather or a -10° bag in the winter This is including my personal fur heater (my dog sleeps with me).
Your great...but why can't you place the pads inside the sleeping bag with you...will keep everything warm... probably will take up more room inside tho...right!?
In most ultralight sleeping bags, there's usually not enough space inside for a pad! To make a sleeping bag big enough for that would mean you'd have to carry around a sleeping bag that's a lot heavier and bulkier.
This is a crucial topic. If you freeze all night, the whole trip sucks. I recently developed a 4 piece sleep system that works great and weighs less than the sleeping bag I carried back in the day. Three of those four pieces are mentioned in this video. Here is what I use and why: 1. directly on the ground - an old school powder blue closed cell foam mat to insulate against conduction of my body heat into the cold ground. This piece is really efficient at this task and so is a very important piece of the system as the ground would otherwise suck MUCH more heat from me than the convection heat loss to the air. Could also use one of the newer folding pads, I just happen to still have the mat that you roll up. 2. On top of the foam mat, an SOL *Breathable* bivy sac - to reflect my body heat back at me but also be breathable to let the condensation out so I don't get wet from sweat and risk hypothermia like with a Space Blanket. Bonus: Also MUCH more quiet than a Space Blanket. 3. Inside the SOL bag, my air mattress, a NeoTherm XLite - for comfort and loft between me and the SOL bag below me. The SOL bag itself is cold so I don't want to lay directly on it. Plus the reflection properties don't work well at all unless there is some separation between me and the bag. The separation between me and the SOL bag that the mattress provides allows my body heat to be reflected back at me and keep me warm underneath. Even though the mattress may reduce the amount of heat reflected back to me from underneath, since it is on the foam pad, which is insulating against the cold ground, the amount reflected back from underneath is sufficient to keep me warm underneath, whether I'm laying on my back or my side. 4. Also inside the SOL bag, a quilt - varying thickness depending on season, for warmth on top of me. The quilt creates "loft" above me and the mattress creates non-crushable "loft" below me. So there is insulation/loft all around me AND the SOL bag is reflecting any of my body heat that gets through the insulation/loft back at me from all angles. RESULT: Very toasty. ***Full disclosure and OV product opportunity: I bought two of the SOL bags and had a seamstress enlarge one bag with about half of the other. I am 6'0" 185#. It worked for me without enlarging, but it was a bit tight, so I enlarged it and added a longer, two-way zipper. LOVE IT!! Hope that helps someone.
@@treasurecoasthomesteader5868 All four items combined weigh ~48 oz. with a summer weight quilt, ~56 oz. with a winter weight quilt. I also carry a OV inflatable pillow and a Sea to Summit shower bag that I dual purpose as a dry bag for the quilt. Rounding up, those two items add ~6 oz. So entire system is ~54 oz. summer, ~62 oz. winter. For context, my first backpacking trip was 1971 (I was 19). Not nearly as much focus on weight back then. Plus, I was young and dumb and full of ... yeah. My first sleeping bag was a cutting edge, "ultra light" hollow fill bag that weighed ~72 oz.!! The pad was dense foam rubber that had to weigh ~2 lbs. Pillow was wadded up clothing. No such thing as a breathable, heat-reflective bivy. Oh, we've come a loooong way, and because we have, I can still get out there!
There"s an old navy saying if you have 3 blankets put 2 under you :)
@Jake LaGotta Keep warm buddy 🔥
As i near my 60th birthday i find that the hotels that i stay at after i hike have a rating of 70 degrees
kit.co/tom-/bad-a-camping-gear/oaskys-camping-sleep
At 56 I find a queen size blow-up mattress, in an 8 man tent, with a heater, makes my Glamping good down to 20°. If it gets colder, the nearest motel is not that far away.
THAT was damn FUNNY!!! LOL
If you are camping in the winter, remember snow has, on average, an R value of 1/in (1/2.54cm for those who prefer metric measure). So pick a campsite with lots of fluffy snow and you will be much warmer than on cold hard frozen ground. Note: the R value of snow varies with moisture content and granularity of the snow. Thus fresh light snow will be warmer than older more compacted snow.
I hear lots of people who have an air mattress as their primary pad, and they put closed cell foam underneath. I experimented with the closed cell foam pad on top and found it to be much warmer. Putting the insulation right against your body makes a bigger difference than having it 2" away. It's like the difference in warmth between a form fitting bag and a large rectangular bag, or more exactly, having an air gap between your hammock and your underquilt.
I think that the reason people put the foam pad down first is to protect the air mattress from punctures. Many of the ultralight air mattresses have really thin material to cut weight. The trade off is durability.
Basically... insulate underneath you! Now you don’t need to watch the video!
I wish these "internet experts" would get to the point quicker.
That Ad-money treshhold...
Didn’t you know, the internet makes an ‘expert’ of everyone. Or is it just 80%? No, I don’t know how I got to that figure either.
They gotta get that time stamp in.
watch everything on 2x speed. look under gear symbol to adjust speed.
I'm switching him off.
Here in Sweden when it is really cold we use to fold the EVA plastic sleeping pad in half and put it under the part of the body where you are heaviest, so it will isolate best at that area. Then some alternative instead of this survival blanket to make the sleeping warmer is to use a sleeping bad liner you have inside the sleeping bag (increase the isolation about 5 degres celsius) and it is also protects the bag from getting dirty. Also you have these sleeping bag covers (increase the isolation about 5 degres celsius). You even have them who are gortex and water proof and protects very good against wind and water and also protects the sleeping pad and sleeping bag against sparks if you are sleeping close to a fire.
Great feedback!
A comment on your final bit about reflective “blankets”. These blankets reflect radiated thermal energy (electromagnetic waves) which is different than conducted heat transmitted through thermal resistors like pads. If pads were pure thermal resistors, it would not make any difference whether you put the reflective blanket on top of or underneath the pad. Modern pads contain reflective elements internal to the baffles so the analysis is a little more complicated, but putting the reflective blanket underneath the pad will still reflect any RADIATED energy that manages to get through the pad but will have absolutely no effect on conducted energy escaping into the ground. That’s what the air in the pad is for.
There! Finally someone who gets it about how to (not) use reflective blankets! 99% of internet advice on using these are just pure bullshit. Those who tout them are often either sleeping in too warm conditions to notice any effect, or they already have so much insulation that they couldn't tell the difference. Kudos!
EXPED makes a pad with a higher R-value for those looking for something else for cold weather. I like mine.
And don't crawl in your sleeping bag/quilt cold! You probably won't warm up no matter how good your system is, if the temps outside are super cold. Warm yourself up first with some jumping jacks or something.
That's some great advice! Thanks for sharing.
@@TaysonWhittaker yeah I learned that the hard way. -21C is really cold! 😉
I just have a tug when I get in 👍🏻
Also, move in your bag! Generate some heat! Boiled water in a bottle! Sleeping cold sucks :(
A warm beverage and a dense calorie snack usually helps...
Great warm thoughts also help. Guided imagery.
I stuck a load of silver Christmas tinsel between 2 foam pads. It works great
I like to stuff some gasoline soaked rags in a pillowcase and let them smolder under my sleeping bag...
1) I stay toasty warm
2) No mosquitos
3) The fumes leave me with a nice morning buzz.
I got really spoiled car camping with a thermarest pad that had a r-value of over 11and huge 0 degree bag lol. Now I motorcycle travel and camp so need smaller gear and as a cold sleeper my crappy smaller bag and 3.2 value pad gets cold to quick so I just ordered a down quilt (first down product and first quilt) and the thermarest xtherm. Can't wait to try them out
In the seventies the Marine corps instructed us to put our jackets and clothes underneath our sleeping bags and sleep naked. Supposedly the body radiated heat and the clothes did exactly what you are stating. Putting something underneath the sleeping bag in cold weather.
That's correct. I was in 88 in Yugoslav people's army and when we go on missions and needed to sleep outside officers told us the same thing
Nobody is commenting on the other major reason people end up cold: wet or damp clothing! As an adult leader of youth, I'm always encouraging the youth to change ALL of their clothes (including underwear) before getting into their sleeping bag. We all tend to sweat at least a little while we're in the outdoors, and I find that my damp clothing often doesn't get a chance to dry before climbing into my sleeping bag. I like to change into dry clothing including a dedicated set of camp pajamas and warm socks. I can generally warm up in the sleeping bag if I'm dry, and the clean pajamas help keep my sleeping bag clean as well.
That's also a great point!
Use a car windshield reflector under your sleeping pad. Its reflective and more durable than an emergency blanket
Good thought
Great idea !!!!!!
That material is called Reflectix and you can buy it at building supply places. Another thing is leave all cotton and wool clothing at home. Fleece is the on,y way to go with a light nylon shell over it that you can take off if you get warm hiking. I’ve been enjoying the outdoors in Alaska for over 40 years and I hate being cold.
@@Chris_at_Home Great info, Chris, thanks.
Seen Bex Bugout refer this tip. Truck windshield size,folds flat And works in hammock well too. Amazingly simple& affordable ground insulation
Always want to have adequate ratings on all my gear, but I'm a hot sleeper so I'm here just as much for tips on staying a tiny bit chilly, as well as keeping warm.
Great advice. Lots of people tend to forget that you compress the fabric and the heating capability. Good pads or hot rocks under the tent and great options. Granted i sleep in a hamkock so i dont worry about pads as much
Under quilt? I’m cheap and stick my pad in my hammock, cause my butt definitely gets chilly in the bare hammock.
@@timfredrickson3889 up until late last year i wouldnt use a underquilt. I had a cheap pad that worked fine till i upgraded
😂 Florida summer camping. 65° at night. That’s a funny one. Never drops below 80° at night from June-September. 100% humidity. Mosquitoes. Daily rainstorms.
Summertime is all truck camping with the truck running for fans & A/C half the night. I long for the few short “winter” months in Florida to kayak camp.
The dimpling of those textured pads is intended to allow the down to fill those indents to provide NON-compressed insulation so it would better be directly under the bag.
never really thought of it that way , but it really does make sense!!
Great video and some great tips. I might add that just like stacking sleeping pads to increase warmth and get dual use of your equipment...I've found I can do the same thing with sleeping quilts. Instead of using a single low temperature quilt, I've been able to get good results by stacking my quilts. I've combined a summer temp 50 degree quilt and a 20 degree quilt and been able to be surprisingly comfortable in much colder temperatures.
We've done the same thing! It works great! Thanks for the awesome tips.
Picked up a new pad with a 5.8 value. I'm so excited to test it.
Sounds like a great pad! Have fun and be safe on your trips!
kit.co/tom-/bad-a-camping-gear/oaskys-camping-sleep
I always carry one of those shiny emergency blankets. They are cheap, small and lightweight but can be a lifesaver!
They are only a lifesaver if you know how to use them. Other than that they are a pain in the ass. They condensate like crazy. You can't let it touch you or the heat goes through it. They rip really easy. And once a tear starts it's like a bag of chips. I recommend you try one sometime because like any safety gear if you haven't tried it it doesn't do you much good trying to figure it out in an emergency. I carry one two. But I promise you I would have to be pretty damn desperate
@@captainfragger6295 I have used it before and it worked just fine. Yes they are fragile and impossible to fold back up. That's why I consider each one to be only a one night solution.
@@robertclark8044 okay, if you like condensation, and being cold. I wish you luck with it. You must be a little fella
@@captainfragger6295 Must be a little fella? Why all the negative crap?
@@robertclark8044 please don't start crying now. You may keep your security blankee.
I cowboy camped while backpacking in and out of Yosemite last September for 6 nights. I brought my 30 degree bag. I just wore my base layer and clean socks and my wool cap while sleeping. I kept my nose and mouth uncovered so as to not get wet in the bag. I slept fine. Only waking when the occasional critter would crawl over me. Good video you have here.
Thanks for sharing!
In the words of Bear Claw Chris Lapp, “Didn’t put enough dirt down, saw it right off”. I never sleep directly on the ground. I have a 3season Bibler tent that I use year round. I take a piece of Tyvek house wrap with me to place under my tent to help with rain or melting snow. I always use a sleeping bag pad! And I always stress if you need a mummy bag, alway check the length of the bag. It’s hard to keep your feet warm if your mummy bag it more than a couple inches longer than your body. Just trying to heat up dead space. I also like to make sure my feet are dry and I put on wool socks and a wool toboggan.
That just what I do in the fall and winter. Not saying it perfect for everyone, or everywhere.
Thanks for sharing!
I hammock camp have a thin closed cell foam pad with a mylar coating love it, my sleeping bag is a ~12° surplus chez army bag. Slept with 10ft drifts around me and low single digit weather never got cold, except when I have to get out of it. Do have a bivy for my hammock but only used it once prefer the open air. My camping buddy says my hammock is bite height we do have bear and mountain lion I'm not worried set up perimeter alarms carry bear spray and last resort a 45 ACP or 12 gauge with slugs.
Having a sleeping underayer (I use a union suit) helps. Get out of your hiking underlayer and don your sleeping underlayer right before you retire.
great tip!
Totally agree with you about sleeping pads being an overlooked aspect of comfortable sleep, but I also feel like R-values and ambient temps are relative. I just got back from a trip in north Idaho where I used my ancient Therm-a-Rest Prolite 3. Nighttime temps were in the teens, and I slept with the feeling of my back being cool, but not cold or even chilly. Perhaps I’m a freak that way lol...just get out and test the limits of your gear for you (safely, of course). An uncomfortable night outside is still a night outside :)
I’ve been using a torso length piece of reflectix under my neo-air pad and it keeps me toasty. I also fold this section of reflectix and keep it in the large USPS tyvek mailer, which I then use as a sit pad.
Great idea! Stealing it, thanks.
Great idea!
That's a brilliant light weight multipurpose idea. Making one tomorrow
I use a neo pad the very thin one the gentleman showed us with a 80/20 wool blanket layed on top of it with sleeping bag. and when ever you want use the blanket for its intended purpose. I camp when I hunt, I hunt in fall and winter vancouver island . I hunt grouse and works perfect under aqua quest tarp next to fire. Note not for ultralight. Realized this was more ultralight backpacking channel some great info here, I'll tell you what, subbed !
Thanks for the sub!
I have an exped air bed that has down insulation in it and is a 7.8 R value and good down to minus 38 Celsius, keeps me toasty.
I’ve just commented about Exped too as I don’t agree with what he said about Thermarest being the leaders
www.snowcountry.eu/exped-downmat-xp-9.html?country=GB&curr=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrNOz6Lf17AIVxbTtCh0ptAbGEAQYAiABEgJ5ZfD_BwE
@@alexwood5026 I think he sells Thermarest products, market leaders, my arse.
@@nicktombs1876 definitely haven’t seen anything better than Exped, have you? I’ve gone for the downmat 9 LW but that’s probably over kill for the uk lol
@@alexwood5026 I have that one too. I have several differant air beds for differant situations, I also use a length of Alreflex 2L2 house insulation (silver bubble wrap) that weighs nothing and is a fantastic insulator that I often use with an air bed, it might be overkill for here (UK) but it works great on the Finnish/Russian border at minus 54 C.
Before i even watch the video let me guess? Sleeping directly on the ground with no under matt/ground mat? 😊
Best information was using the blanket to help the not so warm pad you may have until you can get a better pad. Was wondering about doing that before you showed it. Thanks for confirming it could be done.
Thanks for watching! Glad you found something to help you out!
The Exped Downmat has a higher rating or very similar to the xtherm. I have one and it is incredible and doesn't make any noise when you move around. You should check it out. Great video BTW and thank you from the UK.
Thanks for watching and for the tip!
@@TaysonWhittaker www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/equipment-c3/sleeping-mats-c58/ultralight-airbeds-c138/downmat-hl-winter-m-regular-sleeping-mat-p6643
I’ve just said about Exped too. They are untouchable with their R value down mats 👍🏼
www.snowcountry.eu/exped-downmat-xp-9.html?country=GB&curr=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrNOz6Lf17AIVxbTtCh0ptAbGEAQYAiABEgJ5ZfD_BwE
@@alexwood5026 OMG an R Value of 8?! But with the weight of my big 3 combined...
Yup, 👍 Exped downmat is one of the best there is IMO. I won’t likely ever buy a thermarest just because I don’t like their fill valve. My Exped schozzel pump sack also doubles as extra moisture protection for my sleeping bag when inside my pack.
I bought the o.v. pad at 4 r value. Just get the insulated pad and love the lightweight btw. I use a blanket actually now most nights.
I've used a cheap car sunshade under my hiking mattress for a few cold hikes. Aluminium layers and some kind of thin foam. Seems to work, very light and is undamaged after several international missions.
Also buy an inflator bag to blow your pads up. if you use your breath with all it’s moisture, it’ll ruin the R value....especially at freezing temperatures, ice will form inside your pad, so you’re effectively sleeping on an ice pack.
Great input!
I learnt all that stuff the hard way so it’s great you’re shouting out about it 😍 I always take an extra Zlite mat or something as some of the sleeping mats I’ve had have deflated in the night leaving me exposed to that horrible cold ground 😫 I’ve also had to use my emergency blanket in the way you described-super crackly! 🤣 Thanks for the great vid!
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!
Beyond having a reliable source for weather info, site selection is the most important factor in staying warm. Protect the shelter from wind. Protect the quilt/ bag from touching any damp surfaces.
Trekking poles and shoes can be used to curl the edges of the insulating foam pad in to a bowl shape to help with this.
As a side sleeper, I have used grommet holes and string to lift the pad corners to take advantage of the extra insulation.
Wet feet = cold sleep.
Designate 2 pairs of socks constructed of appropriate synthetic or wool based material strictly for sleeping.
Use the first pair for 10-15 minutes once the shelter is set up to take inventory and get everything prepped for the morning.
This pair will pull excess moisture off your feet.
Change in to designated sleep clothes and the second pair of socks to sleep in. Keep them secured in seperate zip lock bag when not in use. Air dry whenever possible.
The sleep prep socks get draped on the backpack the next day or dried near the campfire the next evening.
This alone will make the difference between a miserable night and a restful slumber.
Exposure and hypothermia are the silent stalkers that require constant vigilance as the temperature drops.
Even if it means sacrificing time or progress, never hike alone in the cold. A wet sleeping bag is a death sentence.
-20 degree bags are great and all.. but, finding one that weighs less than 15 pounds and costs less than a penthouse in Manhattan? Good luck.
I am happy with with the flexibility of a 20 degree quiltbag, a pad, and a long narrow synthetic wool swathe that serves a dual purpose as a pillow and foot wrap. More options. Same material weight as an extreme cold bag.
If my survival is ever dependant on a noisy sheet of reflectix, I have no business not being in a more substantial shelter. Snow is 32 degrees. Time to stack some sticks, carve a snow cave or get to safety!
White/Green Mtn. 4 season section hiker. Thankfully I have many hardened shelter options available when the weather defies predictions.
And, it often does.
Temperature below zero or wind over 40mph in the winter? Nope. Staying warm at home.
Thanks for sharing your feedback!
I like the idea of a uncompressed quilt under the hammock to complete the caccoon.
Underquilts are amazing for hammock camping!
Sleep naked so your body heat warms the bag. I learned this from a newbie when I almost had frostbite on my toes. After I took my cloths off I slept really well the rest of the week.
The most clickbait title ever. And yet, here I am watching it XD These videos are always super informative though, and super helpful.
Glad you enjoyed it and found some value! Thanks for watching!
Travel light, freeze at night....
Having used a 1/2 inch ensolite pad for years of cold sleeping in the mountains, gotta say yer right! But I also violated the second rule of nighttime warmth -- I often wore less-than-dry clothes in my bag!
Haha, well looks like you're still around to talk about it, so no harm done!
Thermarest Xtherm is R6.9
For some reason there are not that many Exped reviews but the Dura, previously Downmat is R7.8 and the foam filled (somewhat self inflating) go down to R10
Great video I have been waiting for this i like the way you raise the r value not so much because of the heat value but because it keeps an inflatable mattress from getting punctured can you please make an r value mattress for long term hikers who don't want to repair punctured bags and are willing to carry the bulk and weight
Great video, lots of info. Thank you for sharing. I just purchased your 15 degree loftek bag. Now I want that sleep pad. I sleep really cold.
Thanks for watching! Let us know if you have any questions about the pad!
There are actually many variables about sleeping cold. The gear is only half the equation. Is the sleeper hydrated? Getting over an illness? Well fed? Totally exhausted? Stressed? Is the sleeper dry? etc. All these make a huge difference. Then there are other factors such as altitude, ie, you generally sleep colder at higher elevations. Shelter is also a big factor. All the warm pads in the world are not going to help when you have a strong cold wind whipping through your bag. On the other hand, if you doubt the importance of a good pad, spend a night on a non insulated air mattress on the snow. Pads are a give and take. You must ask yourself if you are willing to carry the extra weight for a good warm pad, or do you want to carry less weight and bulk and get creative making a pad out of what is available at the camp site and/or what you carried up to the camp.
Great input!
lol, 65 degrees in Florida in the summer...That's winter weather (I'm from south Florida). It's more like 85 degrees as the low temp with humidity making it feel like 90 at 3 AM. Using that therma-rest pad you would die of heat stroke by morning. In south Florida you don't camp in the summer unless it's underwater, and in the winter you hammock camp with no under quilt or sleeping bag while using a portable fan. You will still be soaked with sweat by morning, but you won't die from heat stroke.
I just always put a wool blanket inside my 3o• bag. I never knew the pad were for R value, however I’ve always used them since I was 18 and went into the Army. Thanks for the info.
I like to layer my sleeping pad. Even in the summer. I start out with a rubber mat and build up. My idea is the rubber mat protects the inflatable.
As far as the emergency blanket... I've been down that road. I want time took an old sleeping bag I had when I was a scout. It was a big Coleman and well-worn and Faded. So I got a brown king size sheet that was about the same color and sewed it over the outside leaving the zipper still usable and the bottom zipper. Then I added more insulation because by then it was about half the original size. And on top I put one of those emergency blankets and anchored it down to where it would not move. Then I sewed it up. It works all right. Too well. I could sleep nude in a deep freeze and still be hot. You don't even want to lay on top of it. Because you burn up. I still have it somewhere. If I were going to use that emergency sleeping blanket I would glue it to the cheap foam pad and trim it around the edges. That way you don't have to fool around and it will reduce the noise. They have spray-on adhesive. But I don't think I would ever use one loose again. You can't even breathe without it making a lot of noise.
Thanks for sharing, those are great ideas!
Very true. I use a thermarest foam pad and an inflatable semi insulated Nemo tensor with my bivy and I've been warm in 5 degree (f) weather with a 20 degree bag. *the tensor has an r value estimate of 4 but they don't test it, so I don't trust it.
I've used my windshield folding thing under my pad. It works great!
Great idea! Thanks!
In Alaska they cut those windshield heat blocks to fit insoles of boots and shoes. Your body heat is reflected back to you.
Great information. Thanks!
Tyvek sheets above and below, also helps.
I hiked the presidential traverse in New Hampshire in February. I had a down filled parka and a -25 degrees bag. My feet got very cold in the bag. I had to have my plastic boots and my water in the bag with me. I had a space blanket under me.
Sounds like an amazing adventure!
You dont need a pad at all...just sleep on that beard!!!!
Honestly that's not a bad idea!
@@TaysonWhittaker I've SEEN frozen beards and mustaches...wow....the owners were amazed when they looked in the camp mirror...hahahahahahaha!!! Bless and your wonderful videos !!!!
FYI: major downfall to the emergency blankets/sheets is they reflect moisture and humidity. On the east coast and south east where it gets into the low 30's and upper 20's; it is a wet cold and your generating body heat in your tent/shelter can and will cause a significant amount of condensation on those noisy reflective sheets and that amount of moisture can do some serious negative effects to your sleep system, especially goose and duck down filled bags and quilts (treated or not). Overall, best to avoid them shiny crackle things when they can do more harm than good. Just my experience and first hand observations from seeing others suffer.
Thanks for the input, that's a really great point for your location!
@@TaysonWhittaker apply's to 1/3 of the United States and everyone hiking the Appalachian trail.
Very nice video, but I think you made one mistake. Those reflecting space blankets work best when they are about 1 inch away from your body. You need some air space in there, otherwise your body heat will be conducted through the blanket. So if you're using a down sleeping bag, you should put the blanket on the ground, under your pad. You may be able to use it as a ground sheet.
Tossing a Mylar blanket between you and your pad, or between the ground and your pad makes a big difference I've found. Remember, if it's between you (your bag) and the pad, it's noisy and tends to slide around if you are a tumbler while sleeping as you pointed out.
Thanks for the feedback!
I love the fast delivery and sharp editing in your videos. You don't waste time, thanks! Yeah, my Thermarest Uberlite is really loud.
Thanks for watching!
I’ve slept out at -35f and I didn’t get cold. This was over 30 years ago. I used a coup,e layers of Reflectix sheets under my thermarest pad. It was -12F this am at our house. Single digs aren’t cold.
I learned this the hard way. I now have 4 different pads I layer as needed. Closed cell and self inflating foam with a inflatable pad and even in the teens I can use a 30 degree bag with sleeping bag liner and a light blanket and be warm all night.
Seems like that should do the trick!
For me the military roll mat is good for well below zero celcius. Actually, I have used just an air mat to zero just fine.
Thank you for nice good video. But the Thermarest NeoAir XTherm is great but there is one what can handle more cold and have a R value of R7.1 Exped Downmat Winter. And the weight almost the same.
Thermarest pads have a reflective technology. That means when I lay on my X Therm in my house, I can feel my own body heat being reflected. I use their X Lite for 3 seasons and the XT for below freezing. Always interesting videos T.
well I use a wool blanket and 2 plash palatka and I sleep well up here in canada in minus 20 c ...cause first I build a cot and then I make a nice sibirian log fire and a shelter from a tarp...
I don't backpack, so I don't worry so much about weight. I usually just use one of those great big Intex air mattresses. Good info though if I ever decide to shake things up though.
Glad you found some good info!
Great vid. I always sleep cold even in 70 degrees. I guess the methods are additive for the R values. thanks again
Thanks for watching!
I use my Army sleep gear, a simple light bag with an outer Gortex shell. I stay toasty and it packs small on my belt. No awkward pad needed.
A good video. For an Emergency Blanket try the AMK Heatsheet. They are bigger, stronger, and quieter than mylar blankets and easily fold back up. IceBear Hikes did a video review of them. Good Luck, Rick
I never get cold in my sleeping bag especially on my cot
Need insulated pad when you get to camp with crushed limestone tent sites in July in Texas. They keep you off the frying pan. I’ve had seam sealer get tacky on a tent set up after dark because of radiant heat from the ground.
That sounds pretty wild!
Very Informative awesome. Man I wish I could have made the pre-sale on the dragon wool. Just couldn't afford it, but soon, soon.
We'll have more DragonWool products available soon! Thanks for your support!
Let me take a jab at the 2 possible answers:
1. Shit sleeping pad
2. Not wearing thermals, i wear them all the tine because they are like pijamas, at least merino wool thermals are.
Hi, very good video, but I think you made one error. Those reflective Mylar blankets work best when there is an inch or so of air space between you and the blanket. So it should go under your pad, not on top where it will be close to your skin.
My 3.2 R pad is only warm 40 and above. The slide rule R value to temps seems off in my experience.
Yes, there is a difference between 65 degrees outside in Florida and 65 degrees in a home. It's called HUMIDITY!
Folks can use pads all day and night. But if you sleep on a snow bank bring a few 10 hour hand warmers. About $1us each and it can heat your tent without choking you to death. Good nuff!
Thanks for your feedback!
When I was in Scouts, we never used sleeping pads and I only slept cold on 2 nights when temperatures were about 10 F. However, the insulation in our sleeping bags probably acted like a pad because that stuff was so thick (not down). But there's no way I could sleep today without a good air mattress.
Me too. In the eighties, thick heavy coleman bags with no pad, just a ground sheet. Stayed warm with snow on the ground
Yeah, down only works when its lifted because it traps heat in the air between the fibers, if you were sleeping in basically a duvet, you might be able to retain more warmth
Thanks! Excellent effort! We learn something everyday!
Thanks for watching! Glad you found some value!
My wife said , " what are you watching, " I said I sleep cold and need to figure out what I'm doing wrong! Lol good info. I bought your sleeping pad and need to get that sleeping bag now
Thanks for watching! Hope you found out what you need to do to keep warm out there!
True, sleeping pad is a "if you dont have it, the bag doesnt matter" ... i often find that "i am freezing, i will go in my bag to warm up" is also a very common reason, no, its insulation, not active warmth ... i also often see people being too warm at the beginning of the night, sweat, and get cold later, ( or they go to sleep in damp clothes) ... but true... just a note... there are a lot of matresses with higher R-value than an xtherm, but they are much heavier, its the best when comparing r-value to weight sectionhiker.com/sleeping-pad-r-values/
Thanks for your input!
It would be good if you pop up the Celsius rating on the screen for international subscribers.
That's great feedback! Good idea!
Is it as simple as just adding the R values together? Adding an R2 mat to an R3 mattress give you the equivalent of R5? Is it like clothing where multiple thin layers added together are more effective than one thick layer? The advantages of several thinner layers seem pretty obvious? You can customise R number to suit environment, can replace a part rather than complete item if damaged, can share with others if circumstances dictate, can upgrade a single layer rather than entire unit?
It's not quite that simple, combining pads doesn't raise the R value quite that effectively, but it does raise it.
Some good tips there actually.
Here in Norway we have some cold arctic winters. The coldest I have experienced tenting is minus 45 degrees celsius ( - 49*F ) and then you really have to depend on your equipment.
Do you ship worldwide? I would love to try out that sleepingpad....
Yes, we do ship worldwide!
How about you create a normal & wide pad? I'm short, but a wider pad would better suit those of us that like to curl up when sleeping. I don't need a long pad!
They may some reusable types of space blankets that are quiet and way more durable.
use a wool blanket ,i have a sea2 sumit pad with r3.2 and have been down to -10c and been warm when combined it with a wool blanket
Great video! I’m fairly new to backpacking, but thanks to videos like yours I’ve been lucky to learn a lot of things like this from the get-go. Something else I’ve learned along the way that was keeping me cold...having to pee but feeling too cold to get up to do it. Turns out it’s better to just get up and go because your body has to expend energy trying to keep your pee warm as well that could be keeping ME warm. 😬
Absolutely! Thanks for sharing the tip! Glad we have been able to help you learn some things to help you on your trips!
The question was not answered until 3:26. Too much gas for too long
Mvp
NeoRest XTherm. R-Value of 5.4. Weighs 17 oz. If you are going camping in the winter or will be at high elevations, this is the only pad I would suggest. I've used them all. From the Nemo tensor insulated to other big box brands. I always come back to the NeoRest XTherm. I'll tell you what, go lay on one. If it's not the warmest most comfortable pad you've ever slept on, then I don't know what I'm talking about. I always say, 2 layers under you is worth 1 layer on top. I take my 15F ZPacks quilt into the teens with the XTherm and have never slept cold once. Anyone else have this kind of success with other pads?
There's a little bad advise in there... winter camping needs a dedicated winter pad.
The moisture that gets trapped in a pad in April will drop some serious R values out of it when the mercury drops below freezing.
I am a really hot sleeper... just ordered a quilt 900 fill 10degree quilt... might be too much on the pct ... what do you think... Have the nemo tensor... 3.5 that should be good, right? I have the emergency blanket and will use that to add to the r value.. thank you... noise and all.
900 fill has nothing to do with the temperature. I would add 10 degrees to your temperature rating to find the comfort rating for most companies.
I solved this problem today. My ExPed Mega 15 with an R value of 10.1 just came to my house by delivery. Now with my -40F bag I’m all set 😊❤️🇺🇸❄️☃️🛷🔥⛺️🌄
Sounds like you'll be more than warm all winter long!
@@TaysonWhittaker thanks, a snowmobile and hot tent all help. Not exactly hiking stuff 🙃
$244.97
yup I looked.
Even the price is inflated for that sleeping bag. I've never kept one long enough to need a washing, but at that price I'd get the hose.
I am just cold … unless it is literally 70
at night. 😂
I have 3 different Thermarest sleeping pads …
Neoair Xtherm (r value 6.9)
Neoair Xlite (r value 3.2)
Neoair Uberlite (r value 2.3)
And use a 20° quilt in warm weather or a -10° bag in the winter
This is including my personal fur heater (my dog sleeps with me).
damn man, your beard is awesome, when I close the door mine falls off hahahah
Tuck it into your underwear and keep your chest warm.
I would check the Russian or Finnish military cold weather survival gear and how to use it.
Your great...but why can't you place the pads inside the sleeping bag with you...will keep everything warm... probably will take up more room inside tho...right!?
In most ultralight sleeping bags, there's usually not enough space inside for a pad! To make a sleeping bag big enough for that would mean you'd have to carry around a sleeping bag that's a lot heavier and bulkier.
This is a crucial topic. If you freeze all night, the whole trip sucks. I recently developed a 4 piece sleep system that works great and weighs less than the sleeping bag I carried back in the day. Three of those four pieces are mentioned in this video. Here is what I use and why:
1. directly on the ground - an old school powder blue closed cell foam mat to insulate against conduction of my body heat into the cold ground. This piece is really efficient at this task and so is a very important piece of the system as the ground would otherwise suck MUCH more heat from me than the convection heat loss to the air. Could also use one of the newer folding pads, I just happen to still have the mat that you roll up.
2. On top of the foam mat, an SOL *Breathable* bivy sac - to reflect my body heat back at me but also be breathable to let the condensation out so I don't get wet from sweat and risk hypothermia like with a Space Blanket. Bonus: Also MUCH more quiet than a Space Blanket.
3. Inside the SOL bag, my air mattress, a NeoTherm XLite - for comfort and loft between me and the SOL bag below me. The SOL bag itself is cold so I don't want to lay directly on it. Plus the reflection properties don't work well at all unless there is some separation between me and the bag. The separation between me and the SOL bag that the mattress provides allows my body heat to be reflected back at me and keep me warm underneath. Even though the mattress may reduce the amount of heat reflected back to me from underneath, since it is on the foam pad, which is insulating against the cold ground, the amount reflected back from underneath is sufficient to keep me warm underneath, whether I'm laying on my back or my side.
4. Also inside the SOL bag, a quilt - varying thickness depending on season, for warmth on top of me.
The quilt creates "loft" above me and the mattress creates non-crushable "loft" below me. So there is insulation/loft all around me AND the SOL bag is reflecting any of my body heat that gets through the insulation/loft back at me from all angles. RESULT: Very toasty.
***Full disclosure and OV product opportunity: I bought two of the SOL bags and had a seamstress enlarge one bag with about half of the other. I am 6'0" 185#. It worked for me without enlarging, but it was a bit tight, so I enlarged it and added a longer, two-way zipper. LOVE IT!!
Hope that helps someone.
Thanks for sharing that great feedback!
What is the total wwight of your sleep system?
@@treasurecoasthomesteader5868 All four items combined weigh ~48 oz. with a summer weight quilt, ~56 oz. with a winter weight quilt. I also carry a OV inflatable pillow and a Sea to Summit shower bag that I dual purpose as a dry bag for the quilt. Rounding up, those two items add ~6 oz. So entire system is ~54 oz. summer, ~62 oz. winter. For context, my first backpacking trip was 1971 (I was 19). Not nearly as much focus on weight back then. Plus, I was young and dumb and full of ... yeah. My first sleeping bag was a cutting edge, "ultra light" hollow fill bag that weighed ~72 oz.!! The pad was dense foam rubber that had to weigh ~2 lbs. Pillow was wadded up clothing. No such thing as a breathable, heat-reflective bivy. Oh, we've come a loooong way, and because we have, I can still get out there!
I freeze. But the ice from my breath sort of backs up my theory it's cold
Thanks for sharing.