Sleeping Pad R-Value Explained We break down sleeping pad R-value including how it’s tested, what it means for overall comfort and warmth, and tips for choosing the right pad The sleeping pad you bring on...

There is nothing worse than a cold, cramped night’s sleep. Sleeping bags are another one of those gear items that quickly start multiplying as you expand the types of trips you take, when you take them and where you go. A lofty down bag is not the right choice for a spring backpacking trip in the Pacific Northwest just as a synthetic bag might not be the best choice for a quick alpine ascent. Being happy with your bag choice doesn’t stop with the bag either – there’s the pad and your own body temperature to consider as well.

That’s right, staying warm isn’t so much a factor of how much you spent on your sleeping bag, but how much your internal furnace is cranking and that piece of foam you’re sleeping on (you are using a sleeping pad right?). So, before we jump into how to choose what you sleep in and on, you should know the basics of staying warm outside.