Sleeping Pad

>"I guess weight is more important than comfort."

I'm pretty weight-conscious, but have recently switched to a more comfortable (and heavier) pad–first time out with it, I think I slept better than I ever have backpacking.

Where you're going, finding a pad that is warm enough prob. won't be an issue–I'd guess CCF alone would be fine down to high 30s, at least (that's been my experience using pads with similar insulation value).

I'm also a side sleeper, and doubt the Klymit would be comfortable for me, but I've never tried it. Does it work for you?

If it were me, I'd buy a cheap Walmart-type blue foam CCF pad, and try it out with the Klymit sleeping on a hard floor at home. If that works comfort-wise, you can always upgrade the cheap CCF to something like a Thermarest Ridgerest to get a bit higher r-value and maybe a little more cushion, at more or less the same weight.

What is the lowest temperature you want to be able to sleep in? It would be best if you research/decide that before you choose the gear.

Another way is to say "I will buy gear for 30F because it quickly gets bulkier/heavier after that, and I will stay indoors when it's colder".

Note: everybody is different with insulation, though women and slender people tend to need more. Judging by your picture, you might need a warm mat.

Note 2: I mentioned a quilt in another thread, because that is flexible (for warm indoors and cold outdoors). But that won't work with the Klymit.

I say I want to buy gear up to 25F, as after that it gets heavy/bulky and I'll think about it once in Bolivia (5F) or in Patagonia (-13F), unless otherwise adviced.

…I suggest an Exped Synmat UL7.

The Thermarest Neotherm is nearly as good.

See http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/airmat_sotmr_part1_2011#.U3kXVSiTpso and pay attention to how the mats perform with the weight of a person on them — the Exped loses much less insulation than most others, which only work with no weight on them.

I have a UL7 long/wide. It's my favourite piece of gear.

Don't forget to take the repair kit. :)

Alessandra,

I do not recommend an air pad because of the duration of your trip and remoteness of where you will be traveling to.

I am a recent convert to air pads and enjoy their comfort. However, CCF pads are bombproof and this is more important for where you are going.

What happens if you puncture your air pad on a remote mountain in Guatemala? You will have to get creative to fix it. Remember, other people will be handling your gear at times and they are often careless. I've watched many a bus driver and his assistant toss my gear into a pile, then continue tossing other luggage on top of it.

I have had good experiences with Therm-A-Rest Z-lite CCF. It has an R-value of 2.6 which should be more than sufficient for you. Plus, to supplement the warmth if necessary, you can always buy a cheap pad in a major city while on the road.

Below freezing I combine a Therm-A-Rest Z-lite and an Exped Synmat UL7, above freezing I use just one. I prefer the synmat for comfort, but in places with sharp plants and rocks I worry about punctures.

The Z-lite Sol (the one with the silvered side) is the one with the 2.6 R-value; I think the plain model is rated at 2.2.

Have you put the Klymit pad on the floor and slept on it yet?

Like I said, don't forget the repair kit (that comes with every Exped mat) :)

But if you're happier with CCF, OK. Do note that they compress and lose their insulation with continuous use, you need to replace them every few months to get full performance. But that's a predictable factor and they're cheap.

Let me put it this way and let's see if someone is able to answer this complex query.

Which Sleeping Pad do I need and how many F Degree Sleeping Bag do I need (stated in EN Comfort limit), to reach a Comfortable Women's Sleeping in a temperature of 5F, considering I have a pair of long underwear (Columbia Lightweight Top long sleeved + Smartwool 250 Midweight Bottom), the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket (Unhooded), possibly an Outdoor Research Down Hat and a SILK Liner…?

Super cheers!

Estimates for an average metabolism female based on my experience as a slightly higher than average metabolism male:

Pad:
1 RidgeRest Solar full length (r-value 3.5)
1 RidgeRest Solar torso length (r-value 3.5)
total r-value: 7

This assumes you're sleeping on at least 6" of snow. Add at least another torso pad if on frozen ground or ice.

Bag (EN comfort limit): 5F
You might need your down jacket if the temperature drops lower, your bag partially wets out due to condensation or moisture build-up, or you need to use your down jacket on your legs or feet. Otherwise, it should make a great pillow. :)

The climate will be very dry and very cold, not snowy or icey! And I only would want to purchase 1 pad, which I will have to carry through the tropics first.

I'd like to avoid any mountaneering gear, that's why I asked which F temp Sleeping Bag would I need to reach comfortable sleeping in 5F, considering 'll be sleeping with long underwear, down jacket, down hat and silk lner.

Cheers

Inflatables are probably not the best choice for a trek of this length. That leaves CCF pads, which are not available in thicknesses which would allow one to take only one pad. Also, lack of snow indicates the need for more padding and warmth. You should seriously consider taking enough pads to obtain an r-value of 9 or greater, at least in the torso.

I'm saying that you should not plan to sleep in your down jacket and not include it in your warmth calculation. It should be a backup to help you stay warm when things don't go exactly as calculated.

But what I am trying to say is that, as most of my trip will be taking place in warmer weather,what I'd like to purchase are a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag rated to go with layers, in order to reach the desired temperature for the few weeks I will spend in the cold.
Why not inflatable pads for long trips?

"Why not inflatable pads for long trips?"

Because if it gets punctured, it won't provide either comfort or warmth. For a short trip, well you duct tape it as best you can, lose a night or two of sleep, then go home and repair it. It's harder to repair in the field, as the holes can be hard to locate, or might be due to abrasion over a long period.

The EN comfort rating assumes you have an insulating pad underneath you, are sleeping in a tent, wearing a base layer and a hat, and are 25 years of age. Keep these things in mind when you do your calculations.

A few other things to consider are how comfortable do you want/need to be. As an example, I can get adequate (not great) sleep when fairly cold, so for a couple day trip I am not to worried about being 'toasty warm' on longer trips getting good sleep becomes more important.

This is an area where inexperience can rear it's ugly head as everyone is VERY different when it comes to warmth and how well they sleep. It affects not only your bag, but your ground pad. Once again, using myself as an example, I can get by sleeping on snow with a standard weight evazote pad which has a pretty low R rating (probably around 2 or so) I can't imagine EVER carrying the extra weight of a R value 9 pad. For years I winter camped with a ultralight thermarest – R value was probably around 4 or 5 at the most. Other folks would "freeze to death" with such a combination.

Maybe not super helpful to your application, but it may give you some things to think about.

It should also give you some idea of why it is so very hard for anyone to give you an accurate recommendation over the internet. Like it or not, you are going to have to get the best information you can and go with it. Doing some short trips and trying gear before you go on your big rip can be invaluable.

Having a higher R value on your pad will not cause you problems when it is warm, merely add more weight and cost. (All things being equal.)

"The EN comfort rating assumes you have an insulating pad underneath you, are sleeping in a tent, wearing a base layer and a hat, and are 25 years of age. Keep these things in mind when you do your calculations."

Ok, so how many F degrees can a silk liner and the MH ghost whisperer jacket add? And possibly a fleece jacket and pants?