Blog

A backpacking or tenting sleeping pad’s R-value measures its resistance to warmth loss to the bottom if you lie on it at night time. Pads with increased R-values do that extra successfully than pads with decrease R-values. R-value isn’t a measure of heat per se, however of a pad’s skill to stop the lack of the heat that your physique generates. It’s identical to the R-value used to charge house insulation.

Sleeping Pad R-Values and Air Temperature in Levels

What’s the correlation between air temperature and sleeping pad R-values? When do you want a pad with the next R-value? This desk relies on Exped’s suggestions in Fahrenheit and Celsius levels.

Air Temperature (F):
50
30
25
10
0
-15
-25
-40

Minimal R-Worth
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Air Temperature (C):
10
-1
-4
-12
-18
-26
-32
-40

Minimal R-Worth
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

As well as:

R-values are additive, so you may mix two pads to extend your heat degree. For instance, it’s widespread to hold a foam sleeping pad (normally R=2) in winter to make use of as a sit pad when consuming and melting snow that you would be able to place beneath an inflatable pad to extend their mixed R-value for sleeping.
Girls want increased R-values pads as a result of they’ve decrease physique mass than males. A further R-value of 1 is normally an excellent hedge for girls and different chilly sleepers.
If a pad mannequin has a number of sizes, all of them have the identical R-value until specified in any other case
EN sleeping bag temperature scores are predicated on utilizing a sleeping pad with an R-value of 5 or increased. If you end up sleeping chilly in temperatures the place you’d count on your sleeping bag ought to preserve you heat, it could be as a result of your sleeping pad has an R-value lower than 5.

Sleeping Pad R-Worth Comparability

The next desk gives a side-by-side comparability of the  ASTM F3340-18 rated sleeping pads obtainable within the US market. The pad weights listed are sized for 72″ lengthy x 20″ broad pads, although there are just a few exceptions under. The R-Worth of a pad stays the identical if you choose an extended, shorter, or wider variation of the pad.

Key: Air – Air Mattress, SI – Self Inflating, Foam – Closed Cell Foam

Sleeping Pad R-Worth Commonplace

In 2020, the out of doors {industry} rolled out a world and industry-standard R-value check process referred to as ASTM F3340-18. This implies you may examine the R-values of various sleeping pads made by completely different producers and know that they’re all utilizing the identical check process to measure the R-values of their pads. That’s an enormous profit for shoppers and can ultimately have the identical influence that the adoption of standardized sleeping pad temperature scores had for evaluating sleeping baggage from completely different corporations.

The businesses which have adopted the brand new R-value sleeping pad normal (ASTM F3340-18) and retested all of their present sleeping pads embody:

Therm-a-Relaxation
NEMO
REI
Exped
Sea-to-Summit
Huge Agnes
Klymit

What’s New in Sleeping Pads in 2023?

Thermarest has come out with a brand new NeoAir NXT technology of pads which are quieter, thicker, and have a barely increased R-value than the final technology NeoAir pads. I don’t assume the modifications actually warrant changing your present NeoAir pad although, however the modifications needs to be engaging to new purchasers.
Huge Agnes has a handful of recent light-weight pads which are 3+ season succesful. They’re not extensively obtainable in retail but, however they make good gear and could be an fascinating different.
Klymit continues to have an impenetrable product naming scheme. I don’t get it.

Standing of Business Adoption

The adoption of the brand new R-Worth normal was pushed by REI, which requires that the sleeping pads listed on the market on its principal web site have an ASTM F3340-18 R-Worth score.

Many sleeping pad corporations have nonetheless not adopted the brand new ASTM F3340-18 sleeping pad R-Worth normal and it’s not clear that they ever will. In reality, many producers don’t check their pads in any respect, however “estimate” the R-values of their sleeping mats and pads. Within the absence of a normal definition and check process,  it’s laborious to inform if their estimates are correct or whether or not they’re similar to these produced by the usual ASTM F3340-18 R-value testing protocol.

Up to date December 22, 2023.

See additionally:

SectionHiker is reader-supported. We solely become profitable if you buy a product by means of our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and unbiased gear opinions, newbie FAQs, and free climbing guides.