almostthere
Trail Wise!
putting on my hiking shoes....
Posts: 696
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Post by almostthere on Oct 26, 2015 9:16:58 GMT -8
I'd get cold in a BA. Can't tuck it in around me. I use a quilt - you get better "tuck" than with a mummy bag. A petite hiker who borrowed a BA setup froze herself on a 40F ish night, one trip. I suspect it was a combo of the BA Air Core (no insulation in the mattress) and having a BA bag that was far too large for her. OTOH, the BA Q Core (original) has an R value of 5 (15F) and is pretty darn cush. I use it with a quilt instead tho. Strange. The NeoAir mattresses have no internal insulation and are very warm (with the XTherm having an advertised R-value over 5). Not at all strange - the NeoAir (I have one of those, the original one) has an internal baffling system made of mylar, which they have improved upon over time. The Air Core has nothing at all -- it is essentially a heavier-duty pool mattress. Which was what we used when I was a kid, backpacking with family, and froze to death on.
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 26, 2015 10:08:26 GMT -8
Strange. The NeoAir mattresses have no internal insulation and are very warm (with the XTherm having an advertised R-value over 5). Not at all strange - the NeoAir (I have one of those, the original one) has an internal baffling system made of mylar, which they have improved upon over time. The Air Core has nothing at all -- it is essentially a heavier-duty pool mattress. Which was what we used when I was a kid, backpacking with family, and froze to death on. That's right, the baffle system constrains air flow in the mattress, which greatly reduces convective heat loss, by the dominant heat loss component. This is functionally equivalent to what puffy insulation does. Without it, the thermal gradient between your back and ground sets up internal air currents that do their best to steal your heat as fast as possible. I haven't seen one cut apart, but I suspect the NeoAir also has some very thin metalization to reduce radiative loss, which is the least dominant loss component.
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amaruq
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Call me Little Spoon
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Post by amaruq on Oct 27, 2015 5:50:42 GMT -8
Not at all strange - the NeoAir (I have one of those, the original one) has an internal baffling system made of mylar, which they have improved upon over time. The Air Core has nothing at all -- it is essentially a heavier-duty pool mattress. Which was what we used when I was a kid, backpacking with family, and froze to death on. Ah, pardon my ignorance. I thought the BA would have had internal baffles as well. I haven't seen one cut apart, but I suspect the NeoAir also has some very thin metalization to reduce radiative loss, which is the least dominant loss component. They do. They refer to it as "patent-pending, reflective ThermaCapture™ technology."
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Post by Crockett on Oct 27, 2015 7:01:34 GMT -8
The Air Core has nothing at all -- it is essentially a heavier-duty pool mattress. Which was what we used when I was a kid, backpacking with family, and froze to death on. Bear in mind that the BA Air Core is only a summer pad (RV=1) so yes, you would be cold using it in cooler weather. They also have a BA Insulated Air Core which has a RV=4.1 I have one which I use when weight and bulk is of issue and find it keeps me warm. I have used it down to a few degrees below freezing. When canoeing or when weight and bulk are not so paramount, I use my Exped DownMat 9 which is the height of decadence.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Oct 27, 2015 19:39:27 GMT -8
I switched to lighter quilts from enlightened equipment down to about 20° F (add clothes if it's too cold), then start looking at sleeping bags as its less space to heat up as temps go down. There are some very comfortable mattresses out there nowadays. Wouldn't skimp.
EE has sale items and I always size up (bag or quilt)
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Post by flyinion on Dec 28, 2015 18:31:44 GMT -8
Finally got my bag as mentioned in the "what you got for Christmas" thread over in the trailhead register forum. Got the REI Radiant in long/wide. Just need to get a pad and I'm good to go. Planning on a self inflating foam 25-30" inch wide and thick for car camping and an air mattress in the 25" wide range for backpacking. One of these nights once I get the pad I'm going to test it out in the backyard. Doesn't get below upper 20's at worst (27-28) and usually mid-low 30's in the winter here so it should be a good test for the 19F rated Radiant to see just how toasty and comfortable it can be.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Dec 28, 2015 18:54:09 GMT -8
don't forget, that EN rating is for survival, not toasty comfort.
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Post by flyinion on Dec 28, 2015 19:19:55 GMT -8
don't forget, that EN rating is for survival, not toasty comfort. Yep, that would be why I'm not going to try to test it out at its EN rating of 19, but what's considered the men's comfort rating or above. Of course, doing it in the backyard means if things don't work out I just go back inside
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Post by Crockett on Dec 29, 2015 5:37:10 GMT -8
add clothes if it's too cold Yes, the clothes you wear are an important part of your sleeping system. Wear warm socks and a hat when it's cool and don't wear clothing you have worn during the day. Even if they seem dry, they have absorbed moisture through the course of the day and can chill you.
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idahobob
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many are cold, but few are frozen
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Post by idahobob on Dec 29, 2015 12:48:39 GMT -8
The radiant looks great, its under 3 lbs, the down is treated to be water repellent, you should be good to go for many years. Having tried it out and knowing it fits you, is essential.
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