I had an opportunity to do some experimenting this past weekend, when a scout backpacking trip turned into a cabin campout, due to a "hypothermic" weather forecast and ill-prepared scouts.
Knowing I could retreat to a warm cabin, I decided to sleep out in the low 40's/mid 30's very rainy weather, trying to push an EE Enigma 50d quilt to it's limit of comfort. I decided to "sandwich" my Neoair with a pair of Lawson's 1/8" foam pads, and then slip into a silk liner and under the quilt. I was sleeping a cap-4 hoodie, REI powerstretch tights, a fleece pullover, and a hooded windshirt. I also wore a pair of 180's earmuffs.
At 10pm, the weather was rain & 42degrees. At 6am it was 34 with rain & sleet wet snow. However, the ground was never frozen.
Here are my observations:
1) For several years, I have struggled with the neo-air being too "spongy". When I've blown it up to stiffen it, I've always woken up with a very sore back after about two days into a trip. I am mostly a side sleeper. The 1/8 foam pad ON TOP of the Neo rest made the sleeping much more comfortable for me. Somehow, the foam seemed to absorb and more evenly distribute the force of my side sleeping body, so the Neo wouldn't compress as much. From now on, I think I will use this method if I am confident I don't think the Neo will get punctured from below.
2) Although I was never actually cold, (luke warm is the best description) I could tell I was borderline comfortable. Therefore, halfway through the night, I decided to take the 1/8" foam pad from under the Neo, and drape it over myself but under the quilt. Because the pad is so thin, it would actually drape with the quilt rather well. Although I reduced the R-value under me (by .75), it definitely helped over top of me. I guess you can say I was now "sandwiched" between the foam pads – like a foam cozy.
3) The ear muffs were fabulous. Not only did they help with the warmth, they helped dampen the sound of the rain pounding the tent. I am a light sleeper, and I notice I sleep much better at home when I toss a 2nd pillow over my head (covering my open ear.) I am not a fan of earplugs, so I think the 2 oz ear muffs are a great thing to bring along on these "shoulder season trips", to both keep the edge off the air temp, and the sound.
