Sleeping Pads

[-SEEKER-]

Need opinions/experiences with Big Agnes Air Core Pad vs. Clear View Pad. Also Deuter ACT Zero Backpack vs. Aircontact Backpack. If you have any questions please be patient as I'm off to walk the dog and do my errands. Thanks!

[JERMM]

BA Air Core vs Clearview
I use the BA "Insulated" Air Core because it has a higher "R" rating of 4 meaning it will be warmer underneath you. The Clearview has a R 1, I think, good for summer but probably not winter.

[JAK]

You definitely want to check the r-value of a pad for winter. I not only saves heat but also stop condensation of body moisture into your sleeping bag beneath you. A 3/8" closed-cell pad like a blue foam pad is the standard benchmark for comparison. It has an r-value of 1.36. That is just enough for sleeping on snow with a decent bag. For sleeping on frozen ground or on snow with a light winter bag you should double up. Hammock camping is a whole other story.

So if you go to a thick inflatable pad you need to check the r-value.
You want at least 1.36, and closer to 2.5 if you have a light bag.

Something like an insulated air core with an r-value of 4.0 is a Cadillac. Doesn't beat the blue foam pad in terms of warmth for weight, but when you consider comfort, compressibility, and integration with the rest of the sleeping system it is a great system.

Here are the Big Agnes Pad specs
http://www.bigagnes.com/pad_chart.php

[-SEEKER-]

Thanks for the info on pads. The chart was really helpful. Considering the R-value and material construction it looks like the extra weight and larger compressed size is worth it. Looks like my hiking will be between the months of April and August, so I won't have to be too concerned about temperature. I'm a side sleeper so I need comfort. More importantly I'm getting all new equipment this year so my total weight will be at least 10 lbs less.

[JAK]

I've always been a blue foam pad sleeper, but I'm getting old. LOL
I think if I want to sleep outside more often, and in the woods, there will be a thicker pad in my future.

We had a thread awhile back on sleeping with clothes sandwiched between two blue foam pads, or maybe just one bluefoam pad and tyvek. It's a bit sketchy but there might be something to it. I know something under my knees helps, and making a depression for my butt is a good tip also. Maybe some tyvek pillowcases for my sweater, and fleece layers, and skin layers, for either inside my sleeping bag with be or under the sleeping bag and over the blue foam pad. I think I'll experiment some, and on real ground instead of the patio lounge. LOL

[Joe8484]

I love my BA pad for the comfort. Hate blowing it up though.

[pyroman53]

I just today returned my Air Core pad to REI and exchanged it for an Insulated Air Core. For me, the regular Air Core began to be uncomfortably cold at 50 degree. Started to suck the heat away. Not unbearable, but enough that I doubt I would want to use it at 40 degrees.

The Insulated Air Core is supposed to be a bit better...but not as good as BA claims. If I were hiking in GA in April, I would definitely think twice about even using the Insulated one. Some say its doubtful below 30 degrees.

[HikerRanky]

I am the very proud owner of a Insulated Air Core pad.... I use it inside of my HH Explorer Deluxe Hammock.

I was curious about the low temp limit of my Insulated Air Core pad with just the HH and using a BA Crystal 35 as a top quilt. No insulation under the hammock, and no overcover either save the tarp over the top.

The low according to my recording thermometer that particular night was 34 degrees... I had on a T-Shirt and jogging shorts for clothing.... I was quite comfortable...

I don't know anything about the other pads, but as I stated earlier, I am the very proud owner of a Insulated Air Core pad.

Randy

[Whiskyjo]

I know you had only two options but I just got my Exped downmat 9 a couple of weeks ago and its sweet. No more sore hips in the morning, three and a half inches of loft and half the weight of my Thermarest and I think an R value of 8 great for winters.

[Summit]

I love my BA Dual Core (R = 5) zero degree rated mattress. I don't care for the tightness of being fully zipped in a mummy so unless it's extremely cold, I sleep with my 20* Cat's Meow draped over me unzipped. That means my body is pretty much in direct contact with my pad, and the BA Dual Core is snuggy warm even down into the 20s (coldest I've been with it so far). I highly recommend one.

[buz]

I have the insulated air core, and for me, with a Montbell UL ss #2, a very warm 25 degree bag, this pad is good for 30 degrees lowest temp by itself. Much lower, and I need a closed cell shortie pad for my torso area to ensure the heat stays in the bag, not the pad, lol. A little insulation on the leg area, and no problems. Any temp warmer than 30, no issue. Love the pad on warmer nights, just lay on it, drape bag quilt style, comfy.

[flemdawg1]

Slept on my BA Air Core (non insulated) this weekend in the shelter w/ a 3/8" ccf pad (torso length) beneath. It got down in the upper 30s and it was fine.