Sleeping mat help

[Happy Pirate]

Hi guys.

I'm considering a new mat system and would like your thoughts. I camp on snow in the winters and so want something that works for that with a Western Mountaineering -7 bag.

An Xtherm is definitely involved but I can't decide whether to use:

- Xtherm SHORT with rope or pack under feet/legs
- Xtherm SHORT with a half sized cc foam mat like the Gossamer Gear pads
- Xtherm regular
- Xtherm regular plus half size cc foam for redundancy

I dislike bulk and so am not the biggest fan of the cc foam idea but that said I'm also terrified of another mat deflating on me with no redundancy - I was lucky I wasn't on snow last weekend!!

What are your thoughts??

hobbitle
I don't know these mats but I recently went from Thermarest foam mat to a Klymit inflatable for to help my dodgy back.
The inflatible is definately the way to go for comfort (I even 'shared' mine with a friend recently and she raved about its comfort).
The trouble is the thermal drain from a mat with no real insulation.
I put a closed cell mat underneath, partly to avoid puncture, but this is not enough. I suspect even with an undermat you lose heat to the air.
I haven't tried it yet but I suspect a closed cell mat over the infatable may be a much better option (and reduces the frictionless issue we had recently ).
Maybe try a stiff groundseet under and closed-cell over?

Keep us informed as this is still a work in progress I suspect.
cheers
Steve

[wildlight]

Hey hobbitle,
Just getting back to your original question "new mat system":

I did the Overland in the last couple of weeks, threw caution to the wind (what's new) and tested a completely new sleep system on the track.

Never stayed in huts- can't stand them. Same goes for hut-proximity campsites.

I bush camped every night, as good as a "wilderness experience" in a heavily urban-bushwalker-populated environment, as one could wish for.

Sleep system was this: A Z-rest mat, which sat on top of a Ridgerest mat (non-solar)- with the following observations:
-minimal set-up and pack-up time- an absolute bonus.
-comfort easily equal to my "usual" system of z-rest and neoair x-therm
-not even a thought about punctures or abrasive damage
-wonderful insulation, slept on snow, and two nights were ^really^ cold outside, water bottle froze in the vestibule, copped all manner of weather conditions on the trip, was there for 10 days
-quite light in weight, all things considered
-"zero" maintenance factor… nuff said!
-very easy to carry / attach to pack…

cheers

WildLight

[hobbitle]

Hey hobbitle,
Just getting back to your original question "new mat system":

Thanks Wildlight for your insights
I ended up with a regular length Xtherm and a WM Ultralite sleeping bag.
I think the combination would be good for what I will be taking on over the next few years.
Can't get one thing to do everything!
Good to hear you were warm with your setup on the snow. That would be much too bulky for my liking though, even with the temptation of ease of setup.
Hope you had a great walk!

[Orion]

Two closed cell pads are inexpensive, comfortable enough and worry free....

Does it need to be said?

[roysta]

I ended up with a regular length Xtherm and a WM Ultralite sleeping bag.
I think the combination would be good for what I will be taking on over the next few years.

Hobbitle, great choices. I have that combination and they work well.
Good luck.

[hobbitle]

I ended up with a regular length Xtherm and a WM Ultralite sleeping bag.
I think the combination would be good for what I will be taking on over the next few years.

Hobbitle, great choices. I have that combination and they work well.
Good luck.

Hi roysta
Great to hear. How far have you pushed the system?
I was going to go for the Apache but justified getting the lighter bag by adding the Xtherm and the thought that I could add my epic Rab down jacket and/or a liner if sleeping bag becomes the limiting factor (e.g. start getting towards the -10C mark).

[roysta]

Have sent a PM