Need advice on a foam sleep pad that doesn't suck

suprasoup wrote:Cause I generate a crap ton of heat. Used to not be a problem but it seems my heat engine has kicked it into overdrive lately and I'm generating even more heat than usual. Coupled with my switch to a down sleeping bag from synthetic I find myself waking up 2-3" lower than when I started in snow with a completely soaked bag.

Sounds to me that you need a lighter bag, coupled with "ANY" sleeping pad. I do not use an inflatable pad for the same reason you stated later in this thread. I use a 15 degree rated synthetic antique (circa 1976) "Outdoor Sports" bag and a $15 foam pad. It probably has a rating today for 30-degrees due to the wear it has endured. I leave additional layers of clothes on when the temp dips below 10-ish. I use this system exclusively.

Summary: lighter bag and any pad!

roger fritz wrote: Sounds to me that you need a lighter bag, coupled with "ANY" sleeping pad. I do not use an inflatable pad for the same reason you stated later in this thread. I use a 15 degree rated synthetic antique (circa 1976) "Outdoor Sports" bag and a $15 foam pad. It probably has a rating today for 30-degrees due to the wear it has endured. I leave additional layers of clothes on when the temp dips below 10-ish. I use this system exclusively. Summary: lighter bag and any pad!

I have spent many warm/dry nights with this system with temps into the -15 range. A tent is vital if the wind kicks up. If there is no wind the stars make a great canopy!

I'll second the Evazote pads (Prolitegear.com has them in the US, in 1/8 to 1/2 inch thickness. They also have the Thermarest SolLite on sale). Warm, light, as compact as any other foam pad. Also work better in the snow since they don't have little ridges and bumps that catch snow/dirt/whatever. The 3/8" size is a good compromise between warmth and weight. They come 83"x20" and can be easily cut down to whatever size you want.

Looks like its down to a Thermarest pad, either the Ridge Rest or the Z-lite. Anyone used both and can compare the two?

I'll have to check on these evazote pads as well, have never heard of em.

Thanks Guys for the suggestions.

Supra

Aerili wrote:A longer term solution would be that you and I exchange some genetic coding

Did we all miss MP's first homegrown marriage proposal?

I think the Zlite has a slightly better R value, and you can fold it a couple different ways (full accordion, or two accordion halves so it's wider and thinner, fits great under the beaver tail of a bigger pack). The Ridge Rest only rolls. I haven't used a Ridge Rest, but really like my Z-lite.

That said, I think the evazote pads are pretty cool. I have a pack that uses a small evazote pad for the "frame panel" and use it all the time as a seat and for under my feet while sleeping. I think I'm going to buy one of the evazote pads because they are durable, 1/2 the price of a Zlite, super light, long, and durable.

Shawn Mitchell wrote: Did we all miss MP's first homegrown marriage proposal?

I think she was thinking more along the lines of using the teleporter in The Fly to exchange the genetic material.

How about this thing?

sierratradingpost.com/pacif…

Shawn Mitchell wrote: Did we all miss MP's first homegrown marriage proposal?

Nah, no marriage proposal. It was definitely more along the lines of laboratory DNA exchange (as Stich suggested, i.e. I did mention 'biotech intervention'). I do know Supra quite well, though, hence my teasing. :)

Edit: oh, and to the guy who apparently thought I was proposing the OP pay me for heat-sink 'services', you read all that incorrectly. I meant money spent on travel for alpine adventures. Anyhoo.

My two cents...

Find a foam supplier, buy whatever thickness you like. Go to Joanne Fabrics, get enough tough table top material to cover one side, fleece to cover the other, build your own.

My wife and I put together 4" thick foldable pads we built with some help with a friend who can sew. ~100$ a pad, best outdoor pad I've ever had.

Z Lite is the shit! I used mine all winter in the Catskills with no problem and it's also a seat when you want to keep your butt off the snow... They are super light and very durable mine is like 2 years old and probably has 300 plus miles on it..