Snugpak antartic mat

[Essieandy]

Hello all, has anyone ever used one of the snugpak antartic mats? Thinking of getting one to use in my bivi in conjunction with a savotta foam mat during the winter. Thing is, if it uses the same filling as their sleeping bags does it actually help keep you warm? I thought that when you compress sleeping bag insulation it stops working so what's the difference if it's in a pad? Is it just marketing BS or does it actually work?
Link to pad here-

Antarctic Mat WGTE

In freezing weather, self‐inflating, rubber‐based mats often crack when rolled, and valves can freeze, rendering them useless. The Antarctic mat WGTE uses only sleeping bag insulation to prevent heat loss, so no need to worry about anything cracking or freezing.The Antarctic mat WGTE utilises a...

snugpak.com

 

[hughtrimble]

I thought that when you compress sleeping bag insulation it stops working so what's the difference if it's in a pad?

It's quite different, because the mat is inflated and thus isn't being flattened to the same extent as a sleeping bag is when laid upon.

Quite a few air pads use synthetic or down insulation. I can't speak for the particular mat in your post, but my Exped mat has insulation inside it and seems to work well (though I don't have the same mat without insulation so can't really say for sure!). It's certainly far warmer than my other Trekology uninsulated air mat that I use in the summer though.

 

[Essieandy]

Thanks Hughtrimble, yeah, that's the bit I don't understand - it's not an inflatable mat - it's just sleeping bag insulation.

 

[hughtrimble]

Thanks Hughtrimble, yeah, that's the bit I don't understand - it's not an inflatable mat - it's just sleeping bag insulation.

Oh I see, sorry I misread the sales page and incorrectly thought it was itself a self-inflating mat. That's interesting then, I'm going to see if there are any YouTube videos on it because I currently don't really understand what it does as that picture of it crumpled up implies it's got very little substance to it!

 

[Essieandy]

I've actually just bitten the bullet and bought one off amazon with every intention of using their impeccable returns policy.
As you say it doesn't seem to have much substance. Snugpak are usually pretty reputable so it'd be weird if it was just total BS.

 

[hughtrimble]

I've actually just bitten the bullet and bought one off amazon with every intention of using their impeccable returns policy.
As you say it doesn't seem to have much substance. Snugpak are usually pretty reputable so it'd be weird if it was just total BS.

Please do report back as it looks really interesting. From videos I've just watched it looks like it's basically a really thin polyester insulated duvet in a shell material, not very matty in that regard in terms of comfort for you lying on it. Hopefully there's more to it when you get it in your hands!

 

[Essieandy]

Please do report back as it looks really interesting. From videos I've just watched it looks like it's basically a really thin polyester insulated duvet in a shell material, not very matty in that regard in terms of comfort for you lying on it. Hopefully there's more to it when you get it in your hands!

Well, it arrived and I still don't quite get it. It is as suspected just some sleeping bag insulation in-between quite a tough outer. Certainly not enough padding to use as a sleep pad, can't see that it's sufficient to provide much insulation either. It's also several inches narrower than advertised.
I can see what they're trying to do but too narrow & not enough insulation for me so I've clicked on the amazon return button.

 

[hughtrimble]

Well, it arrived and I still don't quite get it. It is as suspected just some sleeping bag insulation in-between quite a tough outer. Certainly not enough padding to use as a sleep pad, can't see that it's sufficient to provide much insulation either. It's also several inches narrower than advertised.
I can see what they're trying to do but too narrow & not enough insulation for me so I've clicked on the amazon return button.

A shame it didn't work out. I don't really understand the reviews of it, what are they on about it in terms of being a sleeping mat! You must need to use it in combination with an actual pad, surely, given what you've received.

 

[Essieandy]

Yes, using it in conjunction with my sleeping pad in winter was my plan but I just can't see how it could realistically add any warmth, but hey ho, worth a look.

 

[Falstaff]

I think its Bull. No R value rating. Also says it lets moisture thru' so IMO any condensation underneath (warm body vs cold ground) will wick thru to your bag. and either way will maybe freeze inside the filling??