I've been watching through a few of your videos and the fact that you acknowledged the possibility of the sound of the sleeping pad being a deciding factor for someone really shows how much thought you put into these videos.
My brother and I started camping a few years ago and went through a wide variety of camping gear in the first year or two. What we finally settled on for a sleeping pad, after trying both cots and several types and brands of pads, was the Nemo Roamer. It's very similar to the Exped's and comes in a wide range of sizes but packs up in not much more than 1/2 the space and has some additional features, we liked more, like two or more can be connected together either side by side or stacked, though we haven't done either and both the inflation and deflation are quicker. Even though the Nemo Roamer is the same thickness, as the Exped it has less foam, with 1", on both the top an bottom, in a design they call Air Core, if I remember correctly, resulting in a lower R-6, R value, instead of the Exped's R-8, we have never found that to be a problem, in temps down to the 20's.
Hey Henry - sorry about the overwhelm. As a beginner, it usually works to get (or borrow) one of the cheaper foam pads from levels 1-2. That’s what I used for all of my early camping trips. Cheers!
Consider the state of your body also. Are you younger with no aches and pains? You might get by with a closed cell foam pad depending on the temperature of course. If you are older with a body that has aches and pains you need an inflatable! I was given this advice and it saved me a ton of experimenting!
Nice video! I agree, the Exped Megamat Duo 10 is the most comfortable sleeping pad I have ever used!! I use it when I bring my 4 person tent. I bought a second Megamat 10 (single person size) for when I use my 2 person tent. If you’re going to camp regularly, just get the Exped, worth every penny.
I just bought an Exped Deepsleep (wide version) during this last REI sale. I was bouncing between a sea to summit air mat and the exped. Since I am most interested in snowboarding I decided to get the more comfy better insulated Exped even though I cant backpack with it due to weight. Since my goal is to be as fresh for slaying the slopes as possible made sense to get the bigger more insulated one (plan is to sleep in the car at the ski resort so I can get multiple days without a motel). Ill borrow one of my sisters numerous pads if I need one for backpacking. Great video would only add regular vs wide pads and how that extra 5 inches can make or break a pad for some ppl. I absolutely cannot stand being partially on the pad.
From my knowledge of thermodynamics I would argue that the air mattress still provides good insulation because air is an excellent insulator, this is why ski jackets and “puff” jackets have layers of air. The air is a more effective insulator than a thick layer of material and will greatly reduce heat transfer. There could be other factors I’m not considering but interesting to think about
static air is a good insulator; but think about micro-convection currents happens in air-pockets bounded by a cold floor and a warm body. All these advanced air beds are about applying engineering techniques allowing air to filling in the void, but limiting micro-convection/circulation. Effect of weight distribution on structural deformation of the air-pockets is another variable to make it engineering challenge, maybe justify the astronomical price tag.
I know you've taken down the review of the cam-o-bed because you're no longer endorsing any affiliated gear, but it'd still be really helpful to see a specific review for it, perhaps compared to the Exped megamat
Hey Jaime. Thanks for the idea there. Those are my 2 favorite camp beds that I’ve used personally, and a comparison video of the two could be interesting. Maybe a video titled “The Ultimate Luxury Camp Bed” or something to that effect. I’m going to add that to my list of potential video ideas!
so as far as cots go; do you not need to worry about an R-value for them? if so, is that because they aren't touching the ground? I've gone camping/backpacking for many years, but haven't ever used a cot before.
Wow - that’s a great question, but I’ve got to be honest, I don’t know the answer. I’ve only ever used cots for camping in the summer, so I haven’t paid attention to r value for them.
@@littlecampfires all good. Just got in the habit of hearing the R-value in your video. When the cot showed up and didn't have one, it caught my attention. 😅 liked seeing the info on the variety of pads nonetheless.
@@brianstricklett3868 I am primarily a cot camper and when the temps drop below freezing I just use a closed cell foam pad (level 2, if you will) on top of my cot for some added insulation.
I've been watching through a few of your videos and the fact that you acknowledged the possibility of the sound of the sleeping pad being a deciding factor for someone really shows how much thought you put into these videos.
My brother and I started camping a few years ago and went through a wide variety of camping gear in the first year or two. What we finally settled on for a sleeping pad, after trying both cots and several types and brands of pads, was the Nemo Roamer. It's very similar to the Exped's and comes in a wide range of sizes but packs up in not much more than 1/2 the space and has some additional features, we liked more, like two or more can be connected together either side by side or stacked, though we haven't done either and both the inflation and deflation are quicker. Even though the Nemo Roamer is the same thickness, as the Exped it has less foam, with 1", on both the top an bottom, in a design they call Air Core, if I remember correctly, resulting in a lower R-6, R value, instead of the Exped's R-8, we have never found that to be a problem, in temps down to the 20's.
all these options are a bit overwhelming to me as a beginner, but I appreciate these types of videos
Hey Henry - sorry about the overwhelm. As a beginner, it usually works to get (or borrow) one of the cheaper foam pads from levels 1-2. That’s what I used for all of my early camping trips. Cheers!
@@littlecampfires have you tried a stacked approach? Like a closed cell foam pad below an inflated pad of some sort?
get level 4/5 for hiking
level 7 for camping (or 6 if you like cots)
Consider the state of your body also. Are you younger with no aches and pains? You might get by with a closed cell foam pad depending on the temperature of course. If you are older with a body that has aches and pains you need an inflatable! I was given this advice and it saved me a ton of experimenting!
Nice video! I agree, the Exped Megamat Duo 10 is the most comfortable sleeping pad I have ever used!! I use it when I bring my 4 person tent. I bought a second Megamat 10 (single person size) for when I use my 2 person tent. If you’re going to camp regularly, just get the Exped, worth every penny.
I just bought an Exped Deepsleep (wide version) during this last REI sale. I was bouncing between a sea to summit air mat and the exped. Since I am most interested in snowboarding I decided to get the more comfy better insulated Exped even though I cant backpack with it due to weight. Since my goal is to be as fresh for slaying the slopes as possible made sense to get the bigger more insulated one (plan is to sleep in the car at the ski resort so I can get multiple days without a motel). Ill borrow one of my sisters numerous pads if I need one for backpacking. Great video would only add regular vs wide pads and how that extra 5 inches can make or break a pad for some ppl. I absolutely cannot stand being partially on the pad.
Nice - snowboarding season is rapidly approaching.
And yep - good call. Regular vs. wide sleeping pads can make a big difference.
Excellent video!
Good comparison between the general options
From my knowledge of thermodynamics I would argue that the air mattress still provides good insulation because air is an excellent insulator, this is why ski jackets and “puff” jackets have layers of air. The air is a more effective insulator than a thick layer of material and will greatly reduce heat transfer. There could be other factors I’m not considering but interesting to think about
static air is a good insulator; but think about micro-convection currents happens in air-pockets bounded by a cold floor and a warm body.
All these advanced air beds are about applying engineering techniques allowing air to filling in the void, but limiting micro-convection/circulation.
Effect of weight distribution on structural deformation of the air-pockets is another variable to make it engineering challenge, maybe justify the astronomical price tag.
Can you please share the link to the self inflating sleeping pad - level 7, the last one. Thanks
Did you find the pad yet?
Great into
I know you've taken down the review of the cam-o-bed because you're no longer endorsing any affiliated gear, but it'd still be really helpful to see a specific review for it, perhaps compared to the Exped megamat
Hey Jaime. Thanks for the idea there. Those are my 2 favorite camp beds that I’ve used personally, and a comparison video of the two could be interesting. Maybe a video titled “The Ultimate Luxury Camp Bed” or something to that effect.
I’m going to add that to my list of potential video ideas!
Can I please please please get some advise on the best cot sleeping pad for comfort in hot Florida summer wx?
Do the sleeping pad review if you haven’t already
Hi! Where can I buy the level 7 mattress please?
You should look at Hest. It will beat any of these, and you don't have to inflate it. It also has more insulation.
REALLY NEED LINKS...Not always sure what you are calling each item.😢
so as far as cots go; do you not need to worry about an R-value for them? if so, is that because they aren't touching the ground? I've gone camping/backpacking for many years, but haven't ever used a cot before.
Wow - that’s a great question, but I’ve got to be honest, I don’t know the answer.
I’ve only ever used cots for camping in the summer, so I haven’t paid attention to r value for them.
@@littlecampfires all good. Just got in the habit of hearing the R-value in your video. When the cot showed up and didn't have one, it caught my attention. 😅 liked seeing the info on the variety of pads nonetheless.
@@brianstricklett3868 I am primarily a cot camper and when the temps drop below freezing I just use a closed cell foam pad (level 2, if you will) on top of my cot for some added insulation.
@@littlecampfires we love your video's! Pls could you please give us the full name of the level 7 pad please?
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Wondering what size tent that is...
It appears to be roomy.
Oh , why do people use sleeping bags rather than a blanket?
REI Skyward 4 is the tent
The second was thermrest?
“Two times four is double and that’s kinda how the math works”. That’s actually not how math works.
Fantastic videos !