What is a good sleeping mat for cold weather camping?

May 16th, 2010 | by admin |

I’ve done research on the net and I think I’m more confused after having done so.

I was leaning toward this one: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0037783517226a&navCount=1&podId=0037783&parentId=cat601642&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20075-cat601642&catalogCode=8IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601642&hasJS=true but after reading the reviews, some people had problems with the construction breaking down and bubbles forming. THEN I was going to go with this one http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0024841516386a&navCount=3&podId=0024841516386&parentId=cat601642&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20075-cat601642&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601642&hasJS=true because the people who bought it had fewer complaints.

Then I read an article that said closed cell pads were much better for insulation purposes than the open cell pads that I listed above. I also read that a lot of the open cell pads that are “self inflating” don’t inflate very well and you have to give them a few breaths. The warm moist air from your lungs freezes inside the pad and damages the inner construction (which may be the source of the problems noted in the reviews of the pads above).

So, can a 15cm thick closed cell pad REALLY insulate you adequately from the cold? I’m in Wisconsin and the temps are hovering in the teens to low thirties. In the near future we’ll probably have some sub-zero days so I’ll need something with some good insulating qualities.
Here’s the closed cell pad I’m now considering. http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442094671&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302701645&bmUID=1229127667630 It costs about $25 less than the open cell pads and (supposedly) does a better job at insulating from the cold.
oops… I meant 1.5 cm (NOT 15cm) Thanks, Willie!


  1. 5 Responses to “What is a good sleeping mat for cold weather camping?”

  2. By Unknown Truth on May 16, 2010 | Reply

    Of the two you mentioned I would go with the first one. I spent a lot of time in NY hunting and I know what its like to freeze your b*lls off, I know that your looking at these and I must say I am impressed with both of them. The best thing for you to do is make a choice and commit to it. The best thing for you is to make sure that you have a very nice sleep system (sleeping bag) I own one that is military issue, it has three layers and is very warm. Usually I have to remove one of the layers during the winter, but never has it let me down and let me freeze.

  3. By wazat on May 16, 2010 | Reply

    Wow , hadn’t considered the ice crystal thing but …Hmmmmmm. I have had the “bubble” thing happen with my thermarest though.
    I think both of the ones you listed will suit you fine.Although the first ones seem superior.
    A closed cell would probably be better , in theory , but I’ve used the open celled with no problem.
    I’m sort of a wimp nowadays , and usually double my pads in winter. I really like the firm , bulky foam pad . I know it’s cumbersome , but when used with my smallest inflatable mat (similar to the small one in the first link), it’s great.
    I’ve camped down to 17 degrees F , mid Feb Ky. Woulda done colder but , that’s all “she” had.
    edit
    So closed cell means , “non inflatable” ?
    The photo in the link stunk.
    Anyway , that is probably the kinda pad I use. It’s a piece of dense foam and insulates rather well. You just roll it up and strap it to your pack.
    But , like I said , I use an inflatable one as well now . Mine rolls up to about the size of a coffee can , and fits in my tent sack.
    OH YEAH ! Take along some glove warmers ! If only a couple . I swear , you throw one of them in your bag with you , or in you cap while you sleep and they really turn up the heat.
    I put them in my back pockets when I hike and sometimes, when I sit ,I swear my butts on fire for a split second. I jump up , then I realize , and try to play it off. Like I said I’ve become a little wimpy , but I haven’t gotten really cold while camping for nearly a decade now.

  4. By gs on May 16, 2010 | Reply

    I swear by a full length self inflating mattress pad. Campmor.com has Thermarest at reasonable prices.
    they have lots of info on them

  5. By Willie D on May 16, 2010 | Reply

    Closed cell is the best way to go for winter use. Anything with air will give you less insulation and can become brittle in extreme cold. I use a Therm-A-Rest ultralight pro all summer, but come winter I revert back to a $10 closed cell pad I bought at Wal-Mart in 1999. I have a US Army issue closed cell pad that is slightly denser, but doesn’t seem to offer that much more insulation than the $10 one.

    Wait…15cm? (!!!!!) That’s like 6 inches thick!!! Are you sure you don’t mean 15mm? 6 inches is thicker than house insulation! If you are sleeping on a foam pad THAT thick you should have no problems from ground cold whatsoever.

    I lived in VT for 6 years and went winter camping all the time using just my cheap little $10 pad. I never had any issues.

  6. By tvanwie@sbcglobal.net on May 16, 2010 | Reply

    I believe the best sleeping pads on the market are Paco Pads made by Jack’s Plastic Welding. They’re really pricey, but very VERY comfortable. If you’re not backpacking, these are great!

    http://www.jpwinc.com/index.php?page=products&category=Pads

    We have a Big Agnes sleep system, and as a bag / pad combo, it’s really hard to beat. I wish I’d had it when I did live in Wisconsin – now the coldest I’ve camped in it was a weekend with lows down to 26 degrees, but I was completely comfortable, warm actually, in my 20 degree bag.

    We have the 25″ wide x 2.5″ thick Hinman Pad:
    http://www.bigagnes.com/str_pads.php?bid=2

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