Hunting in foot access only country is a gear intensive endeavour. By default, the backcountry hunter must be a jack of all trades. In addition to the role of hunter, onedoubles as a survivalist and a butcher. This amounts to heavy packs and long days. Considering the additional demands, it is imperative that the backcountry hunter sleeps well. Sleeping pads are essential to warmth in cold climates and deserve the same attention given to sleeping bags.
A few weeks ago I went on a backpack snowshoe trip into the wilderness. We were experiencing a warm spell which allowed the temperatures to poke above freezing intermittently. This caused the snow to turn to rain and placed further demands on our tent and clothing.
We pitched camp in a secluded clearing next to a river, lying on top of approximately four feet of snow. Unbeknownst to me, my girlfriend had brought a light summer sleeping pad. Half an hour into the night she told me that she was too cold. I offered to trade pads with her. For the rest of the night, despite being in a bag rated for 17 degrees below freezing, I could feel the heat leaching out of the bottom of my bag into the pad. It doesn’t matter how good the rest of your sleep system is, if your pad is poor you will be cold.
Types of Pads
First of all, there are a few different styles of sleeping pads available on the market. Initially, sleeping pads can be divided up into closed cell pads and inflatables. In addition, one can further divide inflatables up into insulated and uninsulated. Each type of pad has its pros and cons and an ideal use case.
Closed Cell Pads
First off, closed cell pads are basically standard pads of foam that are solid. There are a number of advantages to this, as well as a few drawbacks. For starters, these pads are super durable. You don’t have to worry about puncturing your pad, and you can use your pad on the bare ground. Usefully, a closed cell pad can double as a seat for long glassing sessions on rocky terrain. These pads also do a pretty good job of providing a buffer from the ground and keeping you warm
However, closed cell pads are not perfect. They are bulky and most are not as comfortable as an inflatable pad. If you are the guy that can sleep anywhere this may not be an issue, but for light sleepers or those with smaller packs these can be significant drawbacks.
Uninsulated Inflatables
Next, uninsulated inflatables are probably the most common pad. They are basic inflatable sleeping pads that can pack down small. These inflatables are on one end of the spectrum and in my opinion, only useful in specific instances.
Uninsulated inflatables are prone to puncture and if you elect to use them you should carry a patch kit. These pads don’t provide a lot of protection from the ground and are most useful in the summer months. These pads do have one huge advantage though – they are very small and light. It is not unusualy to find uninsulated pads barely bigger than a can of beer and weighing only half a pound.
Insulated Inflatables.
Finally, insulated inflatables split the difference. They are still fairly delicate and it is a good idea to carry a patch kit with one. However, they offer much better insulation than their uninsulated counterparts. Of course, this comes at the cost of greater weight and volume in the pack. That said, they offer better warmth while still being smaller and lighter than the closed cell foam counterparts. Additionally, these tend to be the most comfortable subset of pads.
R-Value
A key attribute of a sleeping pad is how much insulation it provides. Fortunately, this is a number that can be a calculated called the R-Value. Basically the R-Value is a numerical representation of how well a pad prevents your body heat from leaching into the ground. an R value above 4 is recommended for winter camping and an R value over 6 is recommended for extreme weather camping. Thermarest has a good article covering the topic on their website. The R-value is useful in allowing you to compare the weight to warmth ratio on different pads and making the best pick for you.
Closing Thoughts
We put a lot of requirements on our bodies when we gear up and head into the backcountry. A quality sleeping pad is an often overlooked component that keeps you well rested and at your best in the outdoors. Avoiding sleepless nights out on the snow will improve your experience and make you a more effective hunter and rifleman.