Lightest/warmest fleece pants

Not to insult your intelligence… :) but the cold butt/legs issue begs the question about ground insulation. Is your sleeping pad adequately insulated with an R-value of AT LEAST 5?

Hey Travis, thanks for the response. Yeah you're right my pad is letting a lot of cold through. It's the neo air which has an r value of 2.5. I was trying to supplement that with fleece pants. The idea being that the would also keep me warmer around camp and such.

In this search I'm realizing I don't know what fleece is the lightest and warmest… Is it still grid fleeces like power dry? Or is power stretch better? So many choices.

I understand the question is about fleece, and I cannot answer that question well enough to do it justice. My guess would be power stretch, but others on here will be more helpful than I!

While a warmer base layer will help you stay warmer, the root of your sleeping issue is most likely your sleeping pad. It would be helpful to know what temperatures you've tested your current system in, what your current system is, and what temperatures you expect to encounter. There are so many factors with staying warm while sleeping that it boggles the mind (at least mine, so that may not be saying much).

You would not believe how much the cold ground will sap body heat. I'd say that if you're taking the Neo Air below 30-35*F, then you'll most definitely want to try a warmer pad. Look for one that has an r-value of at least 5. I use a down mat from KookaBay that has an R-value of around 6. It is 20x60x2.5 and weighs around 16 ounces.

If you can, post more specifics, and it will be easier to help!

I've tested my current system down to about 25 degrees and it was not quite adequate. I'm be in similar temps again.

Current setup like I said is the neo air, a western mountaineering versalite super bag, and a silk liner.

For sleep clothing,
Top: I wear arcteryx phase SL, ibex hooded indi, and either the Patagonia r1 hoody or a NW Alpine hoody. This keeps my top warm.

Bottom: Smartwool mid weight bottoms, and either Arcteryx phase SV or Capilene 4 bottoms. This is where I freeze my butt off.

You're starting to convince me…perhaps a supplemental foam pad might help my sleeping situation….and I could just use the arcteryx SV bottoms AND the cap 4 bottoms….ooo that might just work!!! Thanks Travis!

The specs on that Kooka Bay are amazing! I'm guessing thatsnone of the custom pads. How long did it take to get it? And is it as comfy as the neo air in terms of squishy-ness?

You've got a great sleeping bag. I'm jealous! Since down looses much of its insulating properties when compressed while you're laying on it, even a 10 degree bag in 25 degree weather can leave you chilly without a warm enough pad.

Cold weather sleeping is a tough one for me to nail down. There are nights where the temperatures will push the limits of my system and I'm fine, while there are other nights where the temperature is 10-15 degrees above my system and I'm chilly. One thing that is a factor is that I tend to "evaporate" while I sleep. My body pushes out a lot of water vapor (even when I don't think I'm sleeping too hot) and this compromises my down bag a little bit. Is this an issue for you?

You may want to try a supplemental foam pad, like you mentioned. It could make all the difference.

My KookaBay pad was one of the first pads made with the 30D material, and while you can order stock pads, Bender from KookaBay does a lot of custom ordering. Just tell him what you want! My pad took a few weeks to get, but you'd have to ask what the backlog is like.

You have to blow up a down air mat with some sort of pump, not your breath. I use the Big Agnes Pumphouse and it takes only a minute or two. With proper technique, you can get it pretty firm with the pump, and let air out to your desired level. I've only tested a NeoAir in the store, but its the same idea, just with vertical baffles instead of horizontal. It's nearly identical to the Big Agnes air mattresses.

I don't get out as much as many people here, but I've used my KookaBay mat with the lighter 30D material in the Superstition mountains of Arizona, Glacier NP, Isle Royale, and all around Wisconsin. As long as you are careful of what you set your pad on, especially in desert areas, it should hold up fine. I've had no problems what so ever.

Its bed time for me. I'm sure other folk will be along to offer some good stuff. Good luck!

Like said above u likely need more ground insulation

Simply buy a cheap foam sleeping pad to with yr neo air

As to fleece pants …. Whatever feels warm fuzzy and light at costco, wallymart, lands end, etc… Dont spend too much …. Branding aint important as long a the materials are the same

If u r going to spend $$$$ get a set of synth or down pants

+1 on the pad issues– add a foam layer. To go any father with bottom clothing it sounds like the next step is lofted stuff like down or Primaloft. I would be cozy with the fleece bottoms, the WM bag and an appropriate pad(s) at 25F.

Thanks everyone for the good advice. I'm looking at pads now. Everything from gossamer gear to walmart blue foam pads to reflectix insulation from home depot.

What do you guys use/recommend?
I'm trying to find the best ratio of weight to R value.

Adding a foam layer is a good idea, it also offers you a backup if your air mat blows, which if you think about it, could be a very dangerous situation. Maybe look at gossamer gear foam products or just buy a blue one from walmart for ~$10

The downmats from exped seem to be popular if you want to go that way.

Also down pants are by far the warmest per weight, i have some montbell ULs and they work great, it also means you can carry less weight in your sleep system and can move around camp in the cold hours easier.

Rather than fleece pants for winter use, I go with ancient army-issue worsted wool Class-A trousers. They are great for durability in a cross country skiing situation.

When I make camp and get my shelter organized, I fluff up my sleeping bag and place it on the mattress, which is simply twice as much closed cell foam thickness as what I use in summer. When I am ready for sleep, I remove the wool trousers and place them between the sleeping bag and the mattress. This accomplishes two things. First, it represents slightly more warmth in the mattress function. Second, when I wake up in the morning and need to put my trousers on, they are already partially pre-warmed.

–B.G.–

"Rather than fleece pants for winter use, I go with ancient army-issue worsted wool Class-A trousers. They are great for durability in a cross country skiing situation."

I've grown to love my surplus wool pants for ski touring. Amazingly warm, repels snow, blocks wind, breathes well and durable as heck.

Throw some gators on and I have my perfect pair of pants for on-the-go ski conditions.

The original softshell pants basically

And thy cost me $10 or so from a local surplus store.

Here's some more info on a site I've plugged before:
http://wintertrekking.com/clothing/insulating-layers/

I have no connection this site, but I think it is great one. Not exactly LWBping, but still has a ton of useful info.

As for pads, I've always liked two pads vs. one big pad. More versatility as much as anything else. A blue foamer and an inflatable is combo that works well for many.