Need some advice on selected a new pad. I only go backpacking once or twice a year. Always in the summer to alpine settings (ie Sierras, Wind River) and often in the winter (ie Grand Canyon) or Spring (ie Zion) – I don’t plan on doing any true cold weather camping on snow or where temps dip below 15F. I find the overnight lows where I go to be in the 25-45F range. I probably sleep a bit cold. Additionally, I go car camping with my kids in Florida a couple of times year and use my backpacking pad mats – lows in the 50-75F range. Also use in hotel rooms if the bed situation isn’t ideal. Because the ultralight backpacking mats are more fragile I usually add a thinlight 1/8 inch foam pad under the pad to prevent leaks which I also understand adds about 0.5 R value to whatever the pad’s R value is. I will be upgrading to a 25 inch wide pad for more comfort and I currently have a Exped Ultra 3R in 20 inch width that I find comfortable other than the width. I am not interested in any crinkly mats. Based on current sales, I have narrowed down my choices to:
Exped Ultra 3R – $100, 2.9R, 72 x 25.6 x 3 in, 18.3 oz, 20D fabric
Sea to Summit Women’s Ether Light XT Insulated – $167, 3.5R, 72 x 25.0 x 4 in, 21.2 oz, 30/40D fabric
Nemo Tensor Ultralight Insulated – $150, 4.2R, 72 x 25.0 x 3 in, 19.3 oz, 20D fabric
Obviously each has its pros /cons but probably based on R value and middle price/weight Nemo is the best option. I don’t want to spend more than $175 on a pad.
Question is, is there such a thing as getting too hot with a more insulated mattress while camping in Florida? Or does the insulation just protect you from cold coming up from the ground? Or does this depend on the insulation type? It seems Nemo is using a “Aluminized Film” to radiate heat back which sounds like that could make one hot in warmer camping. Whereas the Exped/StS pads use a fiber insulation which perhaps just blocks cold from coming up from the ground but won’t make you any hotter in warmer weather.
An option – Perhaps I get the Exped 3R and combined with a 1/8th foam pad that should be enough for all situations I anticipate. In the event of even colder weather than I typically encounter I can bring a 2nd 1/8th foam pad or bring one thicker foam pad.
Thank you in advance for any and all advice!
