Alternative Sleeping Mat

In general sleeping pads with r values of 0 2 will only work for warm weather trips.

Alternative sleeping mat.

We used to throw sheets of it in to a pickup for makeshift sleeping pads. Linen towel by karin carlander. Unlike a sleeping bag which can be ventilated you should always buy the sleeping mat with an r value that is the lowest temperature. When buying a sleeping mat be sure to check out the warmth rating.

Keep in mind that some mats are better for sleeping than others. Rolled up towels are generally a good workout tool and a great substitute for a yoga mat especially when you find yourself in need of cushioning against a hard floor. The tatami mat is quite thick and adds extra cushion. I have been sleeping on japanese tatami futon for a decade now.

Anything less may feel more like a yoga mat than a sleeping mattress. R values of 2 4 are good for most 3 season backpacking conditions. Mats are usually rated for warmth by using the r value. 3 inch multipurpose foam is a good option it can be found at upholstery places hardware stores etc.

Use the backpack itself to get the feet in. The higher the r value the warmer the pad. This is the same value you may recognise to measure the insulation efficiency at home. Portable beds like these fold up so you stash them away until needed.

A high quality sustainable towel such as the following would be ideal for this particular use. Unrivaled in terms of convenience the pro lite comes in a range of three sizes short long and regular and each size is a different price meaning you can save some money if you need a small sleeping pad. Saer greason wrote i have been investigating buying or making a legit japanese style futon which is traditionally put on a tatami mat a mat made of woven rushes filled with straw and edged with cloth. Warmth the r value of a sleeping pad measures how well it will insulate your body from the cold ground.

Get a flat surface heads up lay your ropes directly above the ground snow so that they make the first layer of insulation. The sea to summit ultralight mat is a close runner up and the the klymit o zone a tight third. Use the bivuouc sack to protect against cold from the surface. Hammocks are a great alternative to traditional mattresses because they can help relieve a lot of lower back pain that people experience in the morning.

This ultralight thermarest mattress is as far as self inflating sleeping pads go the smallest sleeping pad on the market. Inevitably each pad tested has its pros and cons so we d recommend considering all options based on your intended use sleeping style space preference budget and concern for durability.