Sleeping foam - need advice

[Panos]

Hey,

 

Does anybody know a good foam sleeping bad ?

I do not like the raffled ones (too bulky plus other problems) nor I enjoy the standard blue foam from REI (not good enough insulation) for sleeping on snow. I have slept numerous nights on snow with a closed-cell foam and it was just fine. While in EU I used to have this one: http://www.needlesports.com/acatalog/Mail_Order_Camping_Mats_54.html that served me very well. Here, I cannot locate a similar product (perhaps because stores earn more by selling Thermarests).

 

Help!

Edited November 25, 2007 by Panos

[catbirdseat]

Those mats you are after are referred to in these parts as "yellow hardman pads", if I remember correctly. I'd bet Colin knows where to get them.

[Jon G]

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/thinlight.html

 

The pads are thin but offer really good insulation characteristics. I use it with a 3/4 length inflatable pad.

[TheOtter]

 

You otter take a trip to MEC in Canada:

 

LINK

[dmuja]

 

Or you could avoid being detained at the border by going here.

 

Pro Mountain Sports, in the U district. Nothing online, but they had some good ones when I was last there. Worth a visit anyway.

[Panos]

The product suggested by JonG comes in inconvenient dimensions. I need longer (170-190cm) and thicker (10-12mm) and wider (55-60cm). Of course visiting MEC in Canada is not convenient either. At some point I will stop by to see what ProMountain has to offer or ask father Xmas to bring me a white bear inflatable pad!

 

Thank you for the answers guys.

Edited November 25, 2007 by Panos

[crackers]

panos, if PMS doesn't have it (which they will), would you consider a miracle idea called "mail order"? mec would probably send you one...

 

also, it's called evazote by folks who don't know what yellow hardman pad means.

[Panos]

 

If I am about to resort to mail ordering I will better get the real thing from Britain. It is longer and wider and lighter and with better insulating properties. Though, price in $ plus shipping sucks.

 

Unfortunately, there are quite a few other cool products that one cannot find over here. Honestly, I am surprised.

[Bug]

Surprised?!

This is the USA.

We even pick out president based on marketing.

 

[catbirdseat]

1/8" has an R-value of ~.45

1/4" has an R-value of ~.90

3/8" has an R-value of ~1.42

 

How does this compare to the 3/8" blue foam pads sold at REI? They don't publish the R-value.

[EWolfe]

I think it's about the hardman-value, anyway...

[crackers]

If I am about to resort to mail ordering I will better get the real thing from Britain. It is longer and wider and lighter and with better insulating properties. Though, price in $ plus shipping sucks.

 

Unfortunately, there are quite a few other cool products that one cannot find over here. Honestly, I am surprised.

 

Actually, Panos, it's exactly the same thing.

 

The MEC one is cut a bit thicker and it's longer and wider than the "expedition" one being sold by Needle Sports, but at the end of the day it's the same foam made by the same process in almost identical factories. So I'd guess that the MEC one has a better R value; although I'd agree with EWolfe: it's about the hardman-value, not some specious measurement designed for buildings...

 

And yes, I've visited the factories.

[jhamaker]

I like the Cascade Designs Ridge-Rest. If I'm more woried about bulk than weight, I carry an 1/8" Ensolite from Seattle Fabric w/ a 3/4 lenth thermorest on top.

[Clarence]

Check out the Exped down mats that OR is marketing in the US (they are european).

For warmth you can't beat it and they weigh about as much as a thick thermarest.

[Gary_Yngve]

I got one of the evasote pads from Jim (Pro Mountain Sports). It's black, not yellow, but same material. The dimensions of my pad are 20.375" x 71.25" x .47"

[Pro Mountain Sports]

Gary, did you cut yours or did we short you?

 

We have two Evazote Pads folks

 

EV50 5/16" x 20" x 60" $25

EV50 1/2" x 20" x 80" $35