Kane Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 This is one of the last things I need for my trip. Just hoping to hear from you guys on what you think. Gotta have the combination, so I Was thinking ThermaRest Prolite 4, and a Z-Lite or Ridgerest. I know there are so many other pads out there, but should I just stick to this one? How is Insulmat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layton Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 sounds perfect. you can get a yellow hard man pad from MEC if you wanna be in the "club" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj001f Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 dude, go all out and hire a Sherpa to porter your cot and Duvet. Do it DAV Summit club style Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marko Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 The problem I've found with Ridgerests and the other corrugated type pads is that when you invariable track snow into the tent, the snow ends up on the pad and is impossible to sweep off. It melts and you've got yourself an increasingly damp home. (I've seen a lot of folks use these though, so I'm probably just missing something...) The blue pads I've had seem to soak up water on their surface a bit. As far as I'm concerned there's nothing more reliable, insulative, and lightweight for Alaska trips than the good old Evazote pads (Mr. Layton's "yellow hardman pad"). Throw an inflatable on top if you want more comfort. Have a blast up there. -Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northvanclimber Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 In the latest MEC catalogue i saw some thermarest-type mats that were filled with either down or a synthetic insulator. never tried this sort of mat, but seems like an interesting idea. anyone used them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpaholic Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 The InsulMat Max-Thermo is a great inflatable with a bit of primaloft that has kept me warm while camping on snow at about 0(F). I ended up buying it because it packs down slightly smaller than my thermarest pro-lite 3! Yes, it’s heavier but with the insulation and the fact that it blows up to around 2” and is full length and packs really small and and and... I thought it was a worthy trade off for long cold routes where I wanted a small pack. Anyway, if you want some more opinions, a search revealed: http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Sleep%20Gear/Pads%20and%20Air%20Mattresses/Insul%20Mat%20Max-Thermo/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmarch Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 But if it develops a leak/pops and you can't find/fix it, I guess you are sleeping on the rope and your backpack for the rest of the trip. No thanks. I'd bring a closed cell foam pad + a 3/4 length self-inflating for extra comfort if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmace Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 I'd bring a closed cell foam pad + a 3/4 length self-inflating for extra comfort if needed. YUP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 In the latest MEC catalogue i saw some thermarest-type mats that were filled with either down or a synthetic insulator. never tried this sort of mat, but seems like an interesting idea. anyone used them? You have to pump them up with a stuff sack because guess what happens when you blow your moist breath into a mat filled with down - it gets wet! Yep, that's right. These things are for hikers not for climbers. Right up there with the binoculars, titanium and rosewood folding chopsticks, and cotton print trekking dress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrogdortheBurninator Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 Dru is talking out of his ass! I have an Exped Downmat, and it is awesome. I will never sleep on a thermarest again. I will use a ridge rest for light adventures and when sleeping on dry ground, but will almost exclusively use my downmat on snow (except maybe when carrying over or bivying on a technical route). The downmats are so much more comfortable than thermarests (I have had 4 or 5 thermarests up to prolite 4 to compare), it is unreal. You can sleep on your back, side, or stomach and be totally comfortable. Plus it feels like it adds 10 degrees to your bag. The Downmat 7 only weighs 4 oz more than a thermarest prolite 4(that is with stuff sack which makes a sweet pillow). Pumping them up sounds like a pain, but realistically takes less than 5 minutes. Apparently this guy likes them too http://www.lyon.co.uk/outdoors/showitem.asp?Id=474 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-spotter Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 if you wanted to be comfortable you should sleep in a bed, nancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kweb Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 I started using a 3/4 length Prolite 4 with a full length Z-Rest a few years back. Nothing has been better. If the Prolite leaks, you've still got a full length pad. Put the Z-Rest under the Prolite to keep any tracked in snow off you. If I were to buy a Prolite today I'd go with the womens version. Higher R value for the same weight (just a tad shorter then the regular.......but its pink). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhyang Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 The womens prolite 4's weigh the same because they are 5-6" shorter (66 and 72" lengths vs. 72 and 77"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share Posted May 1, 2007 Got the Ridgerest and Prolite 4 combo. Thanks alot guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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