Sleeping Mat R Value Temperature

If you are interested in learning about the new standard for sleeping bags taking effect in 2020 check out the astm r value standard.

Sleeping mat r value temperature. In other words if your sleeping bag is rated to 20 degrees fahrenheit you need a pad with an r value of 4 or higher in order to be comfortable at 20 degrees. A sleeping pad r value measures a sleeping pad s ability to prevent heat loss to the ground when you lie on it at night. The higher a pad s r value the better it will insulate you from cold surfaces. If you spend a lot of time on cold weather camping or hiking trips you may appreciate a mat with an r value of 4 and above.

There s no data to show a correlation to how the two ratings compare. Sleeping pad r values range from less than 2 minimally insulated to 5 5 or more very well insulated. The r values add up so the insulation provided by a 1 5 and a 2 0 stacked on top of each other would roughly equal that provided by an r value 3 5 sleeping pad. However r value is now a standardized measurement of the insulative property of a sleeping pad.

New r value standard from 2020 a new industry standard has been adopted by most brands for the measurement of r value developed by astm international the astm ff3340 18 r value standard. The same thing happens when comparing a temperature rated pad to one of our pads. Rating sleeping pad insulation. R value isn t a measure of warmth per se but of a pad s ability to prevent the loss of the warmth that your body generates.

What r value sleeping mat should i use in winter. Overall you should consider the choices you make with your sleeping pad as part of a bigger picture. While the new r value standard is behind a paywall outside described the basic testing setup. It is now the standard value for comparing warmth across pads.

Two plates at constant temperatures of 95 f 35 c and 41 f 5 c squeeze a pad to simulate human weight. In fact therm a rest designers claim that you actually need a pad with an r value of at least 4 0 to maximize your sleeping bag s temperature rating. This is the most common range for general use sleeping mats. If you want to find out more about how r value compares to pads that receive temperature ratings check out how warm is a sleeping pad.

In real terms the r value tells you how well your sleeping mat will help to keep you warm as part of your sleep system. In mild weather conditions a sleeping pad with an r value of 2 4 will suit.