Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Winter Access Forum Sleeping pad

When it's bitter cold and you're spending the night at higher elevations, what do you slip between yourself and the snow? What is the best, warmest pad available?

I use a z-rest (closed cell foam) with an inflatable on top for soft comfort. A second z-rest under your ground cover will help keep things dry and insure total insulation. A z-rest weighs only some few ounces.

I use two pads, a thin foam and a thin Thermarest inflatable. I find that putting the inflatable down first (counter-intuitive) is warmer.

one full length ridgerest and a 3/4 length ridgerest on top. They roll together into a nice fat foam pad roll, but low weight and warm.

When I want warmth and excellent comfort I use my Exped DownMat 9.

Can't beat it for luxury backpacking.

But it's not small, light or cheap.

Exped Downmat 7 is nice, too, a little lighter, but also expensive. I was considering it, but simply have stopped using inflatables. I don't need the comfort they provide, and I've had them go flat one too many time to still want to use them. In winter, taking at least one foam pad is good insurance.

Ridgerest and Neo Air combo!