BigLoad
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Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 7, 2021 8:57:01 GMT -8
I think differences in starting pressure are negated by the comparably huge pressure created by a normal human body mass Just imagine trying to blow up a mattress with a person laying on it using only lung power.
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texasbb
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Hates chicken
Posts: 1,223
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Post by texasbb on Oct 7, 2021 20:37:05 GMT -8
Either Therm-a-Rest made a major change between our respective purchases, or the pads get profoundly louder as they age. Maybe there's some other explanation, but I can't think what it would be. Maybe they just forgot to put the krinkly stuff in yours? is it warm? I actually thought about that! But mine's nice and warm.
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bushmaster
Trail Wise!
The mountains are calling, and I must go.
Posts: 50
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Post by bushmaster on Dec 20, 2021 8:45:46 GMT -8
For a 3 season, what would be a recommendation for R rating? I live in Tennessee, 6 miles from the AT.
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Post by trinity on Dec 20, 2021 11:17:37 GMT -8
For a 3 season, what would be a recommendation for R rating? I live in Tennessee, 6 miles from the AT. I would probably say 3.5 or better is a good 3-season R-value.
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Post by Coolkat on Dec 20, 2021 18:49:09 GMT -8
I use a very old therma-rest RidgeRest that has a 3.2 R value and I've used it to as low as 20o without any issues.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,879
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Post by zeke on Dec 21, 2021 2:16:57 GMT -8
As I aged, my pad had to become thicker, and softer, to accommodate my aching joints. That is, until I started sleeping in the hammock. The ground is certainly a heat sink, so there is still some thought put in to the temps I might encounter, but mostly any closed cell pad, an old thermarest self inflator, or whatever I currently use, is sufficient for my 3 season sleeping now.
If I expect an overnight freeze, I plan on 20º for my warmth. I sleep warm, meaning I can be warm when others are not. In those conditions, I might plan for a pad rated at 4-5 R value, even if that means I need to put a closed cell pad under an inflated one. However, since I sleep warm, my 20º quilt is sufficient in those conditions.
In the hammock, since I don't use an underquilt, I am seeking to keep the wind from penetrating the fabric below me, so most anything will do. In that case, I use a closed cell pad, mostly.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,974
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Post by driftwoody on Dec 21, 2021 7:18:31 GMT -8
In the hammock, since I don't use an underquilt What's the coldest overnight low you'll choose the hammock?
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,879
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Post by zeke on Dec 21, 2021 7:46:00 GMT -8
coldest overnight low you'll choose I had the water at the top of the bottle freeze once, when I had failed to store it upside down. On that trip, I chose to hang every night, but didn't really expect it to get below freezing but 2 of the 5 nights. I was using my largest tarp, so I could close off the ends from the wind. That one is 12 x 15.
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Post by hikerchick395 on Dec 21, 2021 10:04:23 GMT -8
No surprise...still using a RidgeRest. (I DID finally buy a new smaller backpack this year! Think that I've finally retired the 1976 Camp Trails/Alpinelite/Jansport hybrid framed pack.)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2021 18:30:11 GMT -8
Received my Exped Synmat HL Winter Medium Wide yesterday, and tested it out on the floor. The honeycomb textured surface is soft, non-slip, and quiet. R-Value is 5.2, and the 3.5" thick pad by itself weighs 19.2oz. Schnozzle pump bag weighs 2.1oz, and 0.5oz for the stuff sack with repair kit. Width at the shoulders is listed as 25.6" and 16.5" for the foot, but inflated the shoulder is maybe an inch less. This pad tapers considerably more than the NeoAir, but I don't mind the narrow foot end. I pretty much sleep on my back all night without much moving around. I wanted the wide version primarily to support my arms at my side, and this pad barely accomplishes that (I'm 6' tall with average build). Ideally the max width would extend at least to the elbows. I'm not sure when I'll really put this pad to the test, because I prefer sleeping in my Warbonnet Blackbird XLC hammock wherever possible. This Exped mat is a bit pricey at $189, but I got it for half price due to an issue with my previous pad which was a 2nds replacement for a Downmat 9 that was already past warranty. I definitely recommend Exped for customer service. They also threw in a closed cell sit pad at no extra charge, and didn't charge me for shipping. you will really like this pad! I have two exped pads. both long/wide. I sleep very well on either of them, but the downmat is just luxurious.
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bushmaster
Trail Wise!
The mountains are calling, and I must go.
Posts: 50
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Post by bushmaster on Dec 23, 2021 8:21:08 GMT -8
looked at different pads. Self inflating pads are hard to wrap my mine around. Makes about as much sense to me as self driving cars. LOL Dang those things are expensive.
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Post by Coolkat on Dec 23, 2021 8:42:10 GMT -8
I haven't researched sleeping pads for a long time but I'm guessing the self-inflating ones are also heavier.
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Post by trinity on Dec 23, 2021 9:32:05 GMT -8
I haven't researched sleeping pads for a long time but I'm guessing the self-inflating ones are also heavier. Heavier and much less comfortable. But, in my experience, more durable. Still, I would never use a self-inlating pad again, if I could help it. bushmaster , I don't know what your financial situation is, but I consider pads to be one of the things that is well worth splurging on. A good night's sleep is, after all, priceless. Are you getting this for ground sleeping, or for use with a hammock? If you're looking for a budget option, I would consider the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core. I used one of their pads for years (a Dual Core), and it was quite comfortable. When it stopped holding air after over a decade of use, they gave me a credit for the full original purchase price. You can get them for about 100 bucks.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Dec 23, 2021 11:15:10 GMT -8
I still have the Thermarest self inflator I bought ~30 years ago and used extensively. Haven't tried it for a long time, but probably holds air. Defitely heavier and not as thick as my Exped.
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Dec 23, 2021 17:27:14 GMT -8
I still have the Thermarest self inflator I bought ~30 years ago and used extensively. Haven't tried it for a long time, but probably holds air. Defitely heavier and not as thick as my Exped. I have a 3/4 Thermarest that is like 30+ years old that I am throwing out now. It was usable until just recently when the glue on one of the patches disintegrated. I could have re-patched it but it has a couple of other old patches. I was very hard on it back in the day. Self inflating has its place. They are tough and quiet. The self inflating in nice in that you can open the valve and just throw it in your tent. Later when it is bed time a couple of puffs and it was ready for sleepy time. Until the newer baffled not self inflating mats, the self inflators had the best R value for their size/weight.
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