What is the R value of the sleeping pad? How to choose?

What is the R value of the sleeping pad? How to choose?

1. What is the R value of the sleeping pad?

The R value of the sleeping pad represents the thermal resistance (thermal resistance) of the thermal insulation material. The higher the R value of the material, the less the heat loss in the material, the less heat is easily penetrated and lost, and the more suitable it is as a warming material. The R value is also related to the thickness of the material. The thicker the sleeping pad of the same material, the more warm it is (the heavier the weight).

Reference standard for R value of sleeping pad:

How to choose a sleeping mat for hiking and camping? What is the R value of the sleeping mat?

2. How to choose the R value of a sleeping mat that suits you?

Generally speaking:

The temperature is higher than 12 degrees: R value is recommended to be 0.5～2

Temperature is higher than 1 degree / applicable for three seasons; R value is recommended to be 1.5～3.5

The temperature is higher than -6 degrees / applicable in all seasons: R value is recommended to be 3～4.5

The temperature is lower than -6 degrees/severe cold environment: R value is recommended to be 4～above

Reminder:

It should be noted that the R value has nothing to do with thermal energy, and it does not produce heat by itself because the higher the R value, the R value represents the thermal resistance, which is the conduction of the heat insulation. So if you are camping at a place of 12 degrees today and you are using a sleeping mat with an R value of 3, the sleeping mat will not make you feel hot because of this. Its function is only to prevent your body's heat conduction and loss to the ground!