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Winter Pad


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Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 39 total)
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  • #1264495
    Ben
    BPL Member

    @benen

    Hey everyone :)
    From what I've read about the Neo-Air, there have been a lot of people unhappy with the temperatures that they can take it down to.
    My wife and I both have one and on two occasions have camped with them in 32-39f temperatures on damp ground. We were in a tent both times and use WM Ultralite bags but were still cold, even in wool socks, beanies and thermals.
    We absolutely love the comfort of the pads but they just aren't suitable for cool temperatures for us.
    It appears to me that we have two options?
    Get a dedicated winter pad like a prolite+ (680g) with an r-value of 3.8 or get something like a z-lite (410g) to stick underneath when it will be cold making an r-value of 4.7 (both neo-air and z-lite add up to 820g.

    Any opinions?

    #1655441
    Stephen P
    Member

    @spavlock

    Locale: Mid-Atlantic

    If you are just looking to add insulation, this gossamer gear pad seems to be a favorite:

    http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/thinlight.html

    They are lighter and less bulky than a z-rest.

    #1655446
    drowning in spam
    Member

    @leaftye

    Locale: SoCal

    3.8 seems borderline to me. For winter pads I'd go with the following in roughly the same order:

    Pacific Outdoor Gear Hyper Elite
    Kookabay custom down air mat
    Exped down air mat

    I have the first. I plan to get the latter. The last one is too heavy, although I'd consider the large & wide version if I wasn't carry it on my back.

    #1655453
    Brian Senez
    BPL Member

    @bsenez

    Locale: Alaskan

    I've been happy with my Kookabay pad for swing season, and they are custom made so you can get it however warm you want. Here is my current late fall / early spring setup:
    Suluk46 1/4" 70"x20" 77g R0.9
    Kookabay 2.5" 46"x20" 296g R4 (synthetic)
    GG Nightlite .5" 10"x20" 45g R3.5

    So I have R4.9 for my torso and R4.4 for my feet. This setup works well with a total weight 14.7oz.

    #1655474
    James holden
    BPL Member

    @bearbreeder-2

    Just get an el cheapo foam pad with an R value of ~2 and use it with the neo air … Shouldnt cost u a quid

    theres no need to go off and spend lotta more moola

    course crocodile dundee would just use dingos to keep him warm … Lol

    #1655476
    Franco Darioli
    Spectator

    @franco

    Locale: Gauche, CU.

    Dingos are a bit warmer than dogs.
    So for a Three Dog Night you only really need 2.5 dingos.
    Franco

    #1655485
    Ben
    BPL Member

    @benen

    I considered dingoes but since I'm thing to keep my pack light, I ruled them out. I've had a quick look at the GG before, I'll check out the Kookabay ones :-)

    #1655489
    Bob Gross
    BPL Member

    @b-g-2-2

    Locale: Silicon Valley

    Would you settle for two dingoes and a 'roo?

    –B.G.–

    #1655490
    James holden
    BPL Member

    @bearbreeder-2

    you obviously havent considered that dingoes are self powered

    not only will they carry yr gear, and warm you up … they are also a great food source … as your pack weight decreases on yr trip you can eat a dingo and reduce yr carried food … they can also hunt rooos for ya

    if amundsen did that on the way to the south pole … im sure BPLers can too

    lol

    #1655496
    Ben
    BPL Member

    @benen

    I'll definitely look into the GG thinlite. Is there any info on the R-values for the different thicknesses anywhere?

    Franco: This is a bit off topic but we spend a lot of time in the Grampians, mostly climbing on weekend trips, what do you do for water in Summer and Autumn when you are backpacking? It is never readily available at camps sites in these seasons.

    #1655564
    Mike M
    BPL Member

    @mtwarden

    Locale: Montana

    if you already have a Neo- you might want to peruse this thread

    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=37439&skip_to_post=318295#318295

    what I came away with is that a Neo combined w/ a Nightlight (or equivalent) should be comfortable w/ winter temps, very comfortable and if you already own a Neo-very cost effective

    also that it's more effective thermally to use the closed cell pad on top of the Neo

    #1655926
    Brad Groves
    BPL Member

    @4quietwoods

    Locale: Michigan

    Use a warmer pad to start. It's AMAZING how much difference a good pad can make in your warmth. Remember, the pad can be worth 35% of your insulation.

    If you like the P. Plus, go for the women's model… has an R 4.5 instead of 3.8; the Trail Pro women's is R 5.1, but adds ~7 ounces.

    I'd recommend going for a down mat. Makes a big difference in warmth, comfort, packability. R 5.9 to R 8.

    #1655947
    Travis Leanna
    BPL Member

    @t-l

    Locale: Wisconsin

    +1 for a warmer pad. As Brad alluded to, don't underestimate the warmth of a good pad. Also, carrying a few extra ounces for a warmer pad is well worth a good night's sleep.

    You're going to want a pad with at least an R5 rating to stay "thermal neutral." Or at least that's what the math tells us. The warmer the better IMOH.

    #1655958
    Ben
    BPL Member

    @benen

    So what are my options for a down mat?
    Thanks all for your help :)

    #1655967
    Travis Leanna
    BPL Member

    @t-l

    Locale: Wisconsin

    I can only comment on KookaBay. You can have a completely custom mat. Mine is 60x20x2.5 with around 6 ounces of down. Weights in at 16 oz in stuff sack. I'll be trying it in temps hovering in the teens this winter, but I've already had it down to 24F and it was toasty.

    #1655970
    Brad Groves
    BPL Member

    @4quietwoods

    Locale: Michigan

    Warmlite

    Exped

    Kookabay

    #1656131
    Ben
    BPL Member

    @benen

    I think I'll go with a couple of Exped pads if I head down that path, it's just coming into warm weather here so I can wait before I decide. The Kookabay website, I hate to say, has next to no info at all, and none on the down mats. The Warmlite pads don't seem to have a lot of information on their site either.

    #1656182
    drowning in spam
    Member

    @leaftye

    Locale: SoCal

    Bender is the guy that is Kookabay and he's a member here. It is true that his website is not useful for his custom work, but he is easily contacted via email/pm. I surely wouldn't let a little thing like his website make me spend more money on a heavier down air mat. That's why I put my preference for the Exped after Kookabay.

    #1656184
    Will Inman
    BPL Member

    @empacitator

    Locale: Western Australia

    I've actually had no luck getting a response from Bender either via the BPL PM's or by emailing him/using the contact form on his website.

    Maybe he's just really busy or not looking for much work at the moment?

    #1656186
    Jesse McKinney
    Member

    @jessemckinney

    Locale: Mid-Atlantic

    I also sent him a message several weeks ago, and have not heard back from him. Perhaps he is on a long hike?

    #1656223
    Travis Leanna
    BPL Member

    @t-l

    Locale: Wisconsin

    Yeah, Bender is usually pretty good at getting back to you. No, his website isn't chock full of info, but he's updating it supposedly, and you can still custom order anything.

    #1656244
    Brett Peugh
    BPL Member

    @bpeugh

    Locale: Midwest

    He left for two weeks a week ago.

    #1656330
    Travis Leanna
    BPL Member

    @t-l

    Locale: Wisconsin

    That explains it.

    Benen, if you're not on a timeframe, I personally would wait just to see what Bender can do for you. His stuff is much lighter than the exped pads. You should also inquire about the lighter 30D material.

    #1656438
    Ben
    BPL Member

    @benen

    No I'm not on a time frame, its spring here so I have about 5 months before its starts cooling down again. The exped pads look absolutely amazing, insanely durable and the built in pump looks fantastic. How much does a Kookabay pad weigh? Do they have a known R-value?

    #1656454
    drowning in spam
    Member

    @leaftye

    Locale: SoCal

    Kookabay down mats are completely custom, so it depends on the height, width, thickness, fabric and quantity of down you order. Bender can let you know after you tell him the specs you want.

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