Sleeping pad for a cold sleeper

When it drops below freezing I use a TorsoLite in combination with a short RidgeRest. Combined R-Value is around 6.1 and combined weight on mine is around 17oz. This works well for me but I imagine the Ether Thermo is a good bit more cush thanks to the thickness. Downside is you expend a fair bit of energy blowing up the inflatables. That isn't a big deal until you push a hard day (or several in a row).

Hmmmm, that Torsolite has a pretty good warmth-to-weight ratio too.

Anyone tried both the Torsolite and the Ether 6? Care to comment on the *comfort* factor (for my increasingly crotchety back)?

The POE is 2+ inches of inflatable comfort. This is my main pad, and I sleep on my side, back, and stomach most nights.

I feel that my torsolite is warmer than the POE. I don't have any trouble staying on this pad, and it works well for me in the fetal position. I can't sleep on my back, on this pad, because I have been unable to adjust to having cold arms. YMMV.

I haven't used the Ether 6 but I've used a BA AirCore and the NeoAir. My guess is you'll be more comfy on the Ether but you may have to play with the inflation a bit to get it just right.

Elizabeth, if you run cold, I'd just get a warm pad… IIRC the Exped Downmat 7 short weighs ~22oz, has an R-value of ~6, and is ~2.8 inches thick. Super comfy, warm. You could also check out member Bender's Kookabay line of down-filled air mats. Exped's Downmat 9 has an R-8; I'm guessing you could get a shorter one from Kookabay similar for less weight.

I'd contact Bender at Kooka Bay (www.kookabay.com) (he is a BPL member) and have him make you a custom Down Mat. I used a Exped Downmat for a few years and loved everything but the weight. He make me a pad that was just as warm but it only weighed 20.85oz for a 72×20 mat.

I'm curious how you guys are inflating the Kooka Bay mats. Is an inflation bag supplied?

Bender recommended the Big Agnes Pumphouse which works great and weighs 1.55oz.

If you are more concerned about warmth than comfort, then I would just get a thicker closed cell foam pad. Or, along the same lines, just add more padding to your existing NightLight. As mentioned, a NightLight has a very good warmth to weight ratio. Of course, that is for the part of you that is on the pad. If your legs are sitting on a thin pack, they might get cold (which may contribute to your problem). Personally, I would recommend either:

1) NightLight Full, trimmed to your height plus a thinlight (or two) trimmed to your height.
2) A down filled air mattress.

If you want to save a smidge of weight (and money) then you could retain your torso light but add one (or two) thinlights, trimmed to your height. The great thing about closed cell foam is that you can just keep adding more until you are warm. The other advantage is that you can easily trim it (and pieces double as sit pads). The disadvantages are that it is bulky and many people find it less comfortable than inflatables.

I've used a POE Ether Thermo 6 (and it's predecessor the Max Thermo) for about 5 years, and love them. I could never go back to a foam mat, it just hurts me too much. I've never felt cold on it, and I've used it down to 23. I've never had it on frozen ground or snow though. If I thought I was going to, I'd add a GG thinlight to it. I think it's the best bang for the buck out there.

I know that this forum mentions down-filled air mattresses from Kooka Bay. I just looked at his web page and was surprised to see nothing down-filled (although there is down for sale). What am I missing?

— MV

I don't want to say too much, but send Bender a PM or something. He may take on a few custom orders. I'm considering a 60x2x2.5 down filled pad. Will weigh 13.3 ounces (or close to that) and have an R value of 5. But you didn't hear that from me.

I have 3 POE pads.

Summer I use the 2/3 Peak Oyl Mtn
Winter I sue the full length
http://pacoutdoor.com/sleeping-pads/view/peak-oyl-mtn

My GF uses the Peak Oyl Lite:
http://pacoutdoor.com/sleeping-pads/view/peak-oyl-lite-petite

Personally, I like the 2/3 length the most. I think since there is less air movement inside as you shift weight it sleeps the most comfortable

Travis come on man a 2" wide pad would weigh a bit less than that ;) Of course I could always make a down air mat for snake as long as it kept its fangs at bay. I have been working on many other projects so I haven't had a chance to update the website. I will be adding down and Climashiled air mats soon.

HAHA! Whoops, missed that. I think I'm gonna leave it for posterity.

I like my Exped Downmat 7 full-length (70" x 20") air mattress. Be sure to get one with an integrated pump, as it's much easier to inflate. It weighs 32 oz. There's also a shorter version at something like 8 oz. less, but for me, it wasn't worth the sacrifice in comfort and warmth. If I don't sleep well, I'm not going to care that my pack is 8 oz. lighter. :)

Thanks for all the recommendations; but I have one more question.

The chart I linked in my first post references an R-value of 6.8 for the Ether Thermo 6.

So I can get a 6.8 R-value, plus comfort, for just 21 ounces and about $46 on sale.

Why then would I spend over $100 to get an Exped Downmat 7, which according to the same chart has a lower R-value (5.9) in spite of being 6 ounces heavier?

I could get the Downmat 9, for an R-value of 8.0, but again it's costly and is heavy (32 ounces).

So my question: IS THE R-VALUE OF 6.8 FOR THE ETHER THERMO 6 CORRECT? (How are R-values verified?)

If the R-value *is* correct, then it seems my best bet for warmth/comfort/weight/cost is simply to layer an Ether Thermo 6 with one of the Gossamer Gear closed-cell pads.

Also like the idea of pairing a GG pad with a Torsolite; but the Torsolites aren't any cheaper than the Ether Thermo 6's.

I'd be open to Kooka Bay but wonder how expensive it is.

Elizabeth

I'm finding it as 7.8 in the torso region and 6.8 in the legs region.

I don't see how that could be correct. The similar BA Insulated Air Core has a R value of 4.1 and it is widely accepted that it isn't warm below around 40*, I owned one and never used it, but it didn't feel like there was much insulation in there. It is still a good deal on a pad though.

Scratch my previous statement.

According to POE it is 4 in the torso and 3 in the legs.

That sounds more like it. That being said with a CC Foam pad, it should be plenty warm for most anything.

"The chart I linked in my first post references an R-value of …"

I'm not sure if the chart is accurate. For example, the Thermarest RidgeRest Deluxe is the same thickness as the Gossamer Gear NightLight, but it has an R-Value of 3.1 vs. 2.27. Both of these have ridges (which means their thickness isn't all foam) so it is possible that the RidgeRest has more foam, but I can't imagine it makes that much difference. I would guess that they are within 10% of each other.

The regular RidgeRest is 2.6 and the Deluxe is 3.1 per Thermarest. GG lists the NightLight @ 2.27 based on the original Mt. Washington pad spec.

What do the R values really mean? I mean, I know the physics and the definition – but in practical terms, how much of a difference is there between an R value of say 3 vs. 4? Can you really feel the difference?

Also, one other question – does anyone have experience using the self inflating pads at high altitude (> 15000 ft). Do they work well?

Thanks