sleeping pad combo for colder weather

[scouterA]

I have an Exped Synmat UL700 air mattress that I generally love, but last fall when the temps dipped to around 40 degrees F, I got cold, even in my Mountain Hardwear women's 20-degree Switch mummy bag while wearing fresh fleece pajamas, acrylic hiking socks, fleece cap, and fleece scarf. I was significantly more comfortable when I added blankets beneath and atop the pad, but adding blankets is not a good solution for most campouts to which I do not want to lug my duffle and several stuff-sacks full of bedding.

Today I picked up a cheap Therm-A-Rest Discovery Series Explorer self-inflating foam pad at a thrift store to supplement the Synmat. I do not know its R value. The Exped Synmat has an R value of 3.1. Would I be warmer placing the Therm-A-Rest beneath the Synmat, or atop it?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[tplife]

Re: sleeping pad combo for colder weather

Place the pad with the lowest R-value on the bottom. I'd consider a fleece liner for your sleeping bag unless you can afford an upgrade to a model rated for colder weather. The Explorer 1.5" thick models I found listed had a 4.7 R-Value.

[ppine]

Re: sleeping pad combo for colder weather

Try wearing a hat.

[Denni2]

Re: sleeping pad combo for colder weather

We use thermarest z pads under our Trail Pro pads. If it is going to be 45 or below, I also wear silk long underwear, a satin sleep cap under a wool beanie (natural curly hair), and a pair of oversized wool socks. I use a sheet and my sleeping bag as a blanket. I keep very warm. I only get cold if my beanie comes off.

[scouterA]

Re: sleeping pad combo for colder weather

Thanks for your input, everyone. I also found this thread elsewhere that I thought I'd link to, in case anyone comes here looking for the same kind of information: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...hread_id=26033