hobbitle wrote:Hi guys.
I'm considering a new mat system and would like your thoughts. I camp on snow in the winters and so want something that works for that with a Western Mountaineering -7 bag.
An Xtherm is definitely involved but I can't decide whether to use:
- Xtherm SHORT with rope or pack under feet/legs
- Xtherm SHORT with a half sized cc foam mat like the Gossamer Gear pads
- Xtherm regular
- Xtherm regular plus half size cc foam for redundancy
I dislike bulk and so am not the biggest fan of the cc foam idea but that said I'm also terrified of another mat deflating on me with no redundancy - I was lucky I wasn't on snow last weekend!!
What are your thoughts??
hobbitle
I don't know these mats but I recently went from Thermarest foam mat to a Klymit inflatable for to help my dodgy back.
The inflatible is definately the way to go for comfort (I even 'shared' mine with a friend recently and she raved about its comfort).
The trouble is the thermal drain from a mat with no real insulation.
I put a closed cell mat underneath, partly to avoid puncture, but this is not enough. I suspect even with an undermat you lose heat to the air.
I haven't tried it yet but I suspect a closed cell mat over the infatable may be a much better option (and reduces the frictionless issue we had recently ).
Maybe try a stiff groundseet under and closed-cell over?
Keep us informed as this is still a work in progress I suspect.
cheers
Steve