Neoair + Ridgerest + 1/8” “Thinlight” … Warmth?

Was the problem I came across using something similar. Find a simple way to keep them bound together and you shouldn't have a problem staying warm.

Hi Gary,

That is kind of how I've felt so far. I've used my Ridgerest with the Exped Downmat and didn't have a problem keeping them stuck together. Neoair is also super clingy when coupled with CCF in my experience … moreso than the Exped.

Christopher,
I'm considering the 1/8" CCF and Neoair myself. I'll be as interested in this thread as much as you are!

I would probably just toss a Ridgerest under the NeoAir and be done with it. While it's often said that it's more efficient to have the CCF on top of the NeoAir, I find that doing so feels weird and I don't sleep well. If I had to put one pad on top of the NeoAir it would be the 1/8" thinlight as it would mold to my body better than the Ridgerest.

I'm not sure why you'd want the hassle of bringing two CCF pads…rolling up a second pad is just another thing to do in the mornings when you're packing up camp. Is it to protect the NeoAir? Or is just the NeoAir + Ridgerest not quite warm enough? If the Ridgerest isn't quite enough insulation then I would just bring a Ridgerest deluxe for underneath the NeoAir.

Travis,

If you are looking at just the 1/8″ CCF and Neoair take a look at this thread and the chart by Richard Nisley.

I am not sure if you use a Ultra 20 quilt, but even if you don’t it might be helpful information. The chart has comfort and extreme temperatures for a Neoair with various thickness of CCF for back and side sleeping.

So if I'm reading that chart correctly, a Neoair and 1/8" CCF is rated to around 28F? Thats assuming the other components (other clothes worn and sleeping bag/quilt) are equivalent to what's on the chart.

I am reading it the same way as you. The Neoair and 1/8" CCF is rated to around 28F assuming side sleeping. It is only rated to 37 degrees if you are sleeping on your back (and I would guess your stomach).

Ah, good point on the side vs back sleeping. Its amazing how much heat a sleep system–if not implemented correctly– can actually drain out of your body.

Exactly! I was quite surprised. When you add a lot more CCF than just 1/8" the difference between back and side sleeping lessens. I would imagine if you were sleeping on a FOOT of CCF then you would be warmer sleeping on your back rather than your side.

Just to clarify … I'm planning on using all three pads, not just a Neoair + 1/8'' CCF pad. If anything, I'll ditch the 1/8'' and just use the Ridgerest + Neoair.

The thing about the RR is, it doesn't play well with others.

I'd suggest putting the ridgerest on the ground, the other CCF on top of it, and the NeoAir on top of those two. If you put the RR in the middle, as intuitive as it sounds, you'll be floating somewhere along the bottom of your shelter, getting screwed and feeling bad.

It's a slippery slope, I can't phrase it otherwise. The RR just doesn't like being in the middle.

If you're going to put the Ridgerest and 1/8" Thinlight next to each other, you may as well just bring a RidgeRest Deluxe which is the same thickness. Then you have less sliding around to worry about and just one CCF pad to roll up.

Hmm….

As I said in my original post:

"I'm thinking of using a 1/8'' CCF pad on the ground, with my Neoair on top of that, and my Ridgerest on top of the Neoair."

What temps are you trying to get to with this?

I've used my NeoAir and Ridgerest alone, inside a bivy, down to the teens and been comfortable (with a quilt on top and wearing my vapor-rise pants and Skaha top).

But I just bought a down-filled pad from Bender (KookaBay), which is 3.5" thick, should keep me even warmer on its own (haven't had the opportunity to test it yet), and even with the BA pump weighs about what the NeoAir (regular) and Ridgerest combined weigh. FWIW.