Fortunately, couple’s camping gear is suddenly becoming a hot segment. But bring the wrong sleeping bag or mattress and you might get the cold shoulder-quite literally. Sleeping pads R-values range from 1 to more than 10.Camping: the best third date in the world.
Most persons can 'feel the cold ground' at approximately half the 'recommended R-values'. More heat is lost downward when sleeping on one's stomach vs sleeping one's side (due to reduced contact area and cooler body parts in contact). concrete, granite) require more insulation for the same temperature than insulating ground surfaces (e.g. Since the pad and bag work together, a 'warmer' bag can compensate the a 'thin' pad and a 'thick pad' for a 'cold' bag. The sleeping bag and pad system (above, below, and sides) should provide the same insulation value all around a person, but cost, size, weight, comfort, and lack-of-knowledge often lead persons to reduce the R-value to below their personal 'recommended R-value'. Same as EN 13537, a "standard man" is assumed to be 25 years old, with a height of 1.73 m and a weight of 73 kg a "standard woman" is assumed to be 25 years old, with a height of 1.60 m and a weight of 60 kg. Combining various standards and various authors' research, an approximate R-value to temperature chart follows: But unlike sleeping bags' EN 13537 test standard and widely accepted recommendations, sleeping pad R-values lacks a simple mapping and label for 'how much warmth' a consumer should expect. Open-cell foam, although comfortable, is rarely used in the outdoors due to its ability to absorb water (like a sponge) and its air cells are crushed in use reducing its insulation capacity.Ī sleeping pads's warmth is characterized by R-value. This can also be used to trap the air within ridges or an egg-carton type of texture. Variations include textured or shaped foam to increase the unrolled volume and/or change the stiffness of the mattress. However, they are generally not as comfortable as manually inflated and self-inflating mats because they are thinner, and may also take up more space in a pack, depending on the materials used. Many may also be trimmed to size should the user choose to do so. Closed-cell foam pads are lighter and more durable than their self-inflating counterparts, as they are constructed of fewer materials and not susceptible to damage from accidental puncture. These mattresses are lightweight and pack to a small size, which make them popular amongst hikers and campers.Ĭlosed-cell foam is used to produce mats that can be used without requiring any inflation. But since these patents expired many other manufacturers are now producing this type of mattress and they are now commonplace. For many years this design was protected by various patents held by Cascade Designs and they were an unusual and premium item.
The black high-volume valve can be seen in the left foreground.Īn extension on the conventional manually inflated mattress, this type is capable of self-inflation due to the open-cell foam that fills the internal cavity. The materials used are typically filled with air pockets, slowing down the conduction of heat through the pad, as air is one of the best (and cheapest) insulators.Īn example of a self-inflating mattress made from diamond ripstop. Instead, the primary purpose of the pad is to prevent the loss of body heat into the ground while sleeping. Slight variations in design can be found, such as rippling in the foam, but these do not significantly affect the pad's thermal properties.Ī common misconception is that the pads are primarily for creating a more comfortable sleeping or sitting area. The dimensions of the pad are usually about the same length as a sleeping bag and a little wider. In its simplest form a sleeping pad consists of a foam-like material that is about half a centimeter thick (about a quarter of an inch). All types currently available use air as their primary form of insulation.
Its purpose is to provide padding and thermal insulation. In camping, a ground pad, sleeping pad, thermal pad, sleeping mat, or roll mat is lightweight pad, common among hikers, backpackers and budget travelers, often used in conjunction with a sleeping bag.
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