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R value or thickness, which one actually matters for a sleep pad?
I keep seeing folks brag about a 4-season pad with a 3.5 R value but it's 2 inches thick, while my thin foam pad with a 2.0 rating keeps me warmer at 28 degrees. Am I missing something or are people just chasing numbers without testing this stuff? Anyone else have a pad that defied its spec sheet?
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vera_johnson91mo ago
28 degrees on a 2.0 pad, sure, but were you actually on the ground or just really lucky that night?
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kimr741mo ago
That "sure, but were you actually on the ground" thing is exactly how these debates always go. People get so wrapped up in the spec sheet numbers that they forget real world stuff like wind, moisture, and how your body heat actually spreads out. It's like the same people who swear a car with more horsepower is always faster, ignoring the weight and tires and road conditions.
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