Sleeping pad R value?

[Dan T]

Headed out to Philmont late June (627). How insulated should our sleeping pads be? Some adults are thinking of bringing a non insulated (Klymit Static V). I’ve heard temps get down in the 30s at night. Any feedback appreciated.

Dan T

[Caledonia Heather]

Yeah I would not do an uninsulated pad in the mountains of northern new mexico. It is reliably in the 40s at night and can dip lower eadult. So I would bring some sort of ccf pad to layer over an uninsulated air pad, or just go with an insulated inflatable. I used to sleep on an uninsulated big agnes air core, but pretty much always felt a bit cold, and I sleep warm. So while it is certainly possible to tough it out, it’s realy just much more pleasant to bring a pad with some r value.

[Matt Dirksen]

While the air temps might dip into the low 40’s, I seriously doubt the ground temps will ever dip low enough to pose any significant risk. My last time at Philmont, I went with a 50d quilt over a NeoRest, and an 1/8″ ccf, and never felt cool or cold whatsoever. While I had a down vest, I never needed it for sleeping. (I did sleep in a Cap4 Hoody, though).

if adults want to pack for comfort over “warmth” (when it comes to a ground pad), I judge that to be just fine. Regardless, adding a thin 1/8″ foam pad doesn’t add much weight or volume to their kit.

[Bruce Kolkebeck]

Only place I got even close to chilly on my four treks in June was Greenwood Canyon where it did get down to 28 degrees. My biggest problem with my sleeping pad as an old guy was the hard hard ground at Philmont. At 63 I got a blow up Xlite for my old bones. Its heaven.

 

[Aubrey W. Bogard]

See hyperlink below for Philmont Staffed Camp weather data collected over the past five years.  We began our shakedowns at the end of January and experienced temperatures as low as we are likely to encounter this July at Philmont.  IMO, the only way to really know is to test gear in similar conditions, as different recipes yield different results for different folks.  I’ve personally specified either a CCF, self-inflatable, or INSULATED inflatable pad for our Crew, but I’m not going to fight anyone over it if they can demonstrate that they can get good rest with their sleep system in the coldest likely conditions.

A Thinlight-type pad in combination with an uninsulated inflatable works for some.

http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/TrekPreparation/WeatherData.aspx

[Dan T]

Thanks for the replies, very helpful.

 

Dan

[David Barnes]

In July of 2014 I used the a self inflating thermarest  with an r value of 2.2 or 2.4 and an EE 30 degree down quilt. I tend to sleep cold. I was never cold with UA wicking shorts and a Terrmar wicking T.

Hike On.

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