Insulating a non-insulated mattress

[Aztec]

Hi Guys,
Just wondering what people use under their (non-insulated) inflatable mattresses for colder climates?

I know I can just throw a closed-cell-foam mat under there... just wondering if there's something better?

I guess I could always cut some mylar foil to shape, but I was something a bit more durable...

Ideas? Thoughts?

[Aztec]

I thought about this:

foilfoam.PNG (217.58 KiB) Viewed 8574 times

Not sure how durable it is for the weight...

[nq111]

I doubt you will get better r-value per gram and per $ than straight CCF.

[Aztec]

I doubt you will get better r-value per gram and per $ than straight CCF.

Yeah, you're probably right, but I was hoping I could find something like a tougher version of a foil space blanket...

*edit: something that doesn't take up the room of the CCF roll

[Mark F]

Aztec - Seeing you are in Tasmania where it is pointless to buy a non-insulated mat unless you are sleeping on other peoples floors, put in in the Buy, Sell section and sell it to someone in N Qld where it may have some purpose. Buy an insulated mat otherwise you just end up with a very heavy botch job.

I am happy to accept the use of ccf etc under an insulated mat to extend its use for snow camping but most ccf pads have an R value of no more than around 2.5 which is suitable for mid range 3 seasons.

[GPSGuided]

Problem with a lot of on-the-cheap improvisations is that the cost adds up and so are volume and weight. Maybe it's just better to throw a bit of money on a secondhand unit.

[crollsurf]

I bought a Highlander Reflective Camping Mat. Haven't had a need to use it yet (hoping to take it ski touring with my Neo XLite) Only weighs about 100g and will take the edge off the cold for sure. Not sure if putting it under or on top of my mat will work best.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/INSULATED-REFLECTIVE-SLEEPING-MAT-camp-camping-bed-roll-foil-foam-backing-/272723814401?hash=item3f7f9b2801:g:QNUAAOSw-CpX~32T

[Aztec]

Oh - perfect!

and yeah, I already have a 4 season mat - I just want to save myself $250+ and see if I can re-purpose an old 3 season one...

[Bill P]

Hi Aztec, i like the look of that sheeting. Ive been using a 1mm thick CCF sheet as a tent footprint for years with good results . Weighs 173g.

That silver film might add a bit of tear resistance. Do you know what width it is and weight per sq m?

Bill P

[Aztec]

says it's 3mm - not sure where to find it! that's my problem! lol

[Moondog55]

Bunnings by the roll, any building site for offcuts otherwise.
Drop in here and you can have a couple of metres FOC
But as said above the best thing to do in the long run is buy an insulated mattress with sufficient rvalue for your needs.
Mind you I still take a CCF pad as well because accidents sometimes happen.
BTW
I like your hat too

[CasualNerd]

I got the $6 reflective CCF mat from kmart, below a seatosummit comfort light mat ( lightly insulated middle section only) and with a super heavy down sleeping bag and I didn't get cold when it was below zero.

[Mark F]

I have purchased approximately 3mm ccf from Clarke Rubber in the past. Use it in winter as a floor in my tent and have made a couple of cozies for my pot with it. Will have drag it out and weigh it. Given that a Cascades Designs RidgeRest with reflective face 15mm thick has an R of 2.8, 2.6 without the reflective facing, and weighs 540 grams 3mm ccf will add a little but not much.

Note that the underlay mentioned in a post above says "LOW thermal resistance" which means little insulating effect and "ideal for use with underfloor heating" - it lets the heat (cold) through. Cold is just heat passing in the opposite direction.