Best Pad Combo for R-value 5+?

I have combined a Ridgerest (R 2.6) and Neoair (R 2.5) for a theoretically combined R value of 5.1 and been comfortable down to single digits. Heat seems to radiate from the sides of the inflatable pad so put the foam pad on top, it should keep you warmer.

neo + nightlight is right at 5.0 (some are putting a 1/8 thinlight under the neo- neo sandwich :)) which gives some protection underneath and additional r value

Yup, like Mike says….

I don't know about best but I use a 1" self-inflating with a RidgeRest. I used to use a 48" pad but I traded up to the women's version of the Prolite which is 66" long and fits me really well (I'm 5'7). I trimmed my RidgeRest with the scissors to fit inside my sleeping bag. I have a fairly roomy bag otherwise I don't think this would work well. The women's version of the Prolight is 16oz and my butchered-up RidgeRest is 5oz. I've not used it this way with the new Prolite but I've used it with this combo with my old 48" pad and it is plenty warm down below freezing. It is very comfortable too… I don't have any desire to have a thicker pad.

For me this is the magic combo. It is warm enough to go directly on snow, light enough and very comfortable. It also packs away in a reasonable amount of space and is pretty bullet proof. I leave the RidgeRest at home during summer when it isn't needed. Add the RidgeRest when I know it is going to be <30deg. or if I'm sleeping on snow.

…I would ever take a neoair on a mountaineering trip, which is what I assume you are intending this setup for. I just used a full-length Prolite Plus on top of a full-length layer of 3/8" CCF a few weekends ago in verified -20F temps, with appropriate insulation on top, and slept very comfortably. I believe the Prolite Plus model should hold up fairly well to the "rigors" of mountaineering. When the neoair pops, you're SOL; when the Prolite Plus pops, you've still got 1-1/2" of foam under you…

I have the new ridgerest solar (3.5) with a short neoair (2.5) for a combined r value of around 6 for my torso, and i'll have my backpack under my feet too. I haven't gotten a chance to use my new ridgerest. i needed something warmer than my old z-lite for winter camping.
im trying to take a 20 degree rated sleeping bag and make it work for 0 degrees with this new pad system and some layering and reflective vapor barrier liner. i'll know if it works after my January trip.

however, if you want to get away with just a single pad, the womens prolite plus is 4.6.

I always bring my neoair repair kit, fyi

I just purchased a Ridgerest Solar for this season's snow and intend on carrying it by itself.

I noticed on Andrew Skurka's AYE he carried only a solar and a 0 degree bag, reporting staying warm with his clothes on down to -25F.

I've typically carried a standard Ridgerest and the thinnest Prolite for winter (which would probably be around a 5), but plan on leaving the inflatable behind this season, using only the Solar and my WM Antelope (5 degree)…this should be plenty as I rarely camp below 0-10F.

I've been comfortable in the teens, on snow, with only a standard ridgerest, 20F bag, and bivy (with warm clothes on) in the past.

What temperatures/conditions are people trying to hit with an r5 pad combo?

for myself, I'm shooting for ~ r5 for 0-ish temps (Lithium bag), if it's forecasted to be colder I won't go :)

just looked up the Solar- looks pretty good

wow!- their r value is 4.6 vs 3.8 for the men's prolite plus- the 66" length is pretty decent too

I was pretty comfy on a recent trip where temps. went below minus twenty. We don't know how low because the thermometer only went to twenty below. I used my Neoair and a 3/8" Gossamer Gear Evazote pad. Just wondering what other people are using and what people had good luck with and if their was a better option possibly. EDIT: anyone have any experience with the new Pacific Outdoor Equipment Peak Oyl Elite? Looks like a good pad.

"wow!- their r value is 4.6 vs 3.8 for the men's prolite plus- the 66" length is pretty decent too"

I thought it was kind of goofy since the pad is the same thickness but they cut a diamond pattern in the actual foam. In the areas that are supposed to be warmer for women (torso, feet) they have a pattern that is different than the rest of the pad. Basically there is more foam in those areas. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes. I bought it mainly because the length better fits my needs and I no longer have to depend upon my pack to extend my insulated bed. The weight was the same as my old 48" length pad so I figured I'd get a little extra comfort/warmth for no weight penalty.

This is one of my favorite subjects and have a post on my site about it including a link to a pad comparison chart at the bottom of the post (if you haven't already seen it). I think the Ridgerest Solar will be an interesting addition to the possible combinations.

http://40yearsofwalking.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/current-thoughts-on-sleeping-pads/

I'm curious how folks are getting by w/ shorter pads (torso length) for winter use?

I can see where three-season use it probably wouldn't be too much of an issue, but for winter use I'd think insulation on the lower legs/feet would be important (albeit not as important as torso insulation)- my pack doesn't have much r value :)

I just came back from the Smokies (about two weeks ago). Temps at night were 20-23 degrees. I used a new Ridgerest Solar (3.5)(17oz) and Pro Light Plus (2.2) (8oz sml version) for a combined weight of 25 oz. Not exactly light but really nice and warm. I had no draft spots and never felt uncomfortable.

I left the Ridgerest Solar at it's full length becuase I have had my feet get cold in the past. I never had to place my pack under my legs which I have done before when only using my Pro Light. If I get cold it's ususally at my feet so I was really testing the Ridgerest Solar to see what it could do. This is the first time I've used this combo and it worked very well for me.

Hey mike,
Re:
"I'm curious how folks are getting by w/ shorter pads (torso length) for winter use?"

I never could get it to work for me. I now use a long/wide pad for winter trips.
My pack doesn't provide enough insulation to keep my legs and feet warm and my arms get cold if I'm on a 20" pad.
I always seem to end up with at least one arm against the cold ground when on my back.
I also tend to bend my knees when I sleep on me side, so would end up with either my feet or my knee touching the cold ground when I used a 20" pad.

The way I look at it, the extra weight of the wide/long pad does keep me warmer so allows me to bring a lighter sleeping bag and less clothing.

Or maybe I'm just trying to justify the larger pad:-)

I've never tried a short pad- even in summer, thought maybe I was spoiling myself too much :) If I were to try a shorter pad, I don't think I'd do it in the winter

I've used shorter pads for all of my backpacking for the last 20 years. With a backpack that has some padding I made it work even in the winter (full length RidgeRest though).

It wasn't always as comfortable and there are times my pack was wet so I went without and used clothing or anything else I could throw down there at night.

I'm just getting older and becoming a bigger wimp because I want a full-length pad now. The weight penalty isn't extreme and I'm less of an ounce counter than most. Hey… I carry an inflatable pillow too!

My logic is this. I don't really notice big changes in comfort during the day when my pack varies from 14-15lbs. If it goes over 20-25lbs I notice it. As long as I keep my base weight under 12-13lbs I don't stress over trying to make it much lighter. For the miles I need to cover that is an extremely comfortable load and the extra 5-6oz of weight of a longer pad is just a tradeoff for the possibility of more comfort when sleeping. It is a HYOH sort of thing though.

Great thread! I'm looking a new sleeping pad. I'm leaning towards the Thermarest Prolite Plus.

The Thermarest Prolite Plus or Peak Oyl Elite? I think I have kinda narrowed it down to these two self-inflating pads. Anyone with experience with either of these? I am also curious if I should go with a short inflatable and a full length Ridgerest Solar or a short Ridgerest Solar and a full length inflatable?

The Thermarest Prolite Plus or Peak Oyl Elite? I think I have kinda narrowed it down to these two self-inflating pads. Anyone with experience with either of these? I am also curious if I should go with a short inflatable and a full length Ridgerest Solar or a short Ridgerest Solar and a full length inflatable?

you'd have to cut the solar, they don't make a short that I'm aware of; if you want one full length the solar would be lighter than the inflatibles

if one failed, I'd want the full length solar :)

I just picked up a Solar yesterday at REI and it weighs 1 lb 3 oz @ 72" x 20" in size. I'm putting this on top of my Neoair. I do agree that you need a CCF pad in case the air pad leaks all night, especially in the winter.

Does anyone know what the R value is for a Prolite Plus, if the mattress is punctured? Since it has foam inside, there should be some insulation if it is not air tight. I'm kind of guessing the R value would be at least 2.2.

Hi folks,

I just tried the Neoair short with a PHD Hispar 800 in a Rab Superlite Bivi,
under the bivi I had a Z Lite and down trousers in the bivi under my legs. I found this system very comfortable and the down of the trousers was allowed to loft properly under my legs. I also found my sleeping bag covered the whole Neoair which should stop some heat loss.

After much research I have decided to cut a Ridgerest solar to the same dimensions as the neoair short and carry a 15" section of Z lite for under my legs and for user as seat during the day.

For reference I am five foot 10 inches.

Cheers,

Stephen