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Sometime in 2020, i guess some big name outdoor industry companies agreed to some 3rd party standard on the R value rating of sleeping pads. Some here probably already knew this. Unless your like me, bought a pad 2 or 3 years ago, and never gave it another thought. At least I didn't until now, i'm already buying crap for fall / late fall / early winter while I can. Basically the R value standard has changed, and some things have gone down in rated value, and in the case of the pad I was using, justifiably so.
Back in the winter of 2020, I was using a Klymit Insulated Static V, combined with a thermarest Sol Lite foam pad. The former was advertised at 4.4 R value, the later at 2.8, for what I thought was a combined R value of 7.2 Considering I was sleeping with 4 feet of snow under me, I thought this important. (/sarcasm) During this trip, using a zero degree bag with a reactor bag liner, I was cool at best, and slightly cold at worst. Never completely warm. I knew I was losing heat under me, but it was at a tolerable level. When I struck camp, there was a nice sheet of ice the shape of my foam mat instead of compacted snow. Kind of a clue. My total combined R value according to this new standard was actually 4. Klymit insulated static V went from a 4.4 rating according to Klymit, down to a miserable 1.9. Thermarest sol lite, went from a 2.8 to a 2.1. So apparently, a foam pad is more insulated then the Klymit pad.
Anyway, this guy explains the R value standard:
As for the Klymit Insulated Static V. I bought it because I wanted to support a Utah company, and because the price was right. Sorry to say, I will never use that pad again in the winter. Maybe summer if i tent camp instead of hammock camp. In fact their website will still list their old R value first, followed by the new standard. I suspect they don't like admitting their pad doesnt work as advertised. Frankly, I think the design is outright faulty, as illustrated in the heat loss in this video.
Anyway, just a heads up if your looking to buy/upgrade/replace gear now for the Fall.
Back in the winter of 2020, I was using a Klymit Insulated Static V, combined with a thermarest Sol Lite foam pad. The former was advertised at 4.4 R value, the later at 2.8, for what I thought was a combined R value of 7.2 Considering I was sleeping with 4 feet of snow under me, I thought this important. (/sarcasm) During this trip, using a zero degree bag with a reactor bag liner, I was cool at best, and slightly cold at worst. Never completely warm. I knew I was losing heat under me, but it was at a tolerable level. When I struck camp, there was a nice sheet of ice the shape of my foam mat instead of compacted snow. Kind of a clue. My total combined R value according to this new standard was actually 4. Klymit insulated static V went from a 4.4 rating according to Klymit, down to a miserable 1.9. Thermarest sol lite, went from a 2.8 to a 2.1. So apparently, a foam pad is more insulated then the Klymit pad.
Anyway, this guy explains the R value standard:
As for the Klymit Insulated Static V. I bought it because I wanted to support a Utah company, and because the price was right. Sorry to say, I will never use that pad again in the winter. Maybe summer if i tent camp instead of hammock camp. In fact their website will still list their old R value first, followed by the new standard. I suspect they don't like admitting their pad doesnt work as advertised. Frankly, I think the design is outright faulty, as illustrated in the heat loss in this video.
Anyway, just a heads up if your looking to buy/upgrade/replace gear now for the Fall.
