Camping on the Shoulders: Alaska Camping Pad
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Camping on the Shoulders: Alaska Camping Pad
As many forum members know, I aschew camping in the summer. Too many bugs, animals and crowds. I hammock camp so heat loss can be a serious problem from September to November and April to June.
In the past I have slept on an aluminum screen meant to keep the sun off car windshields. It works okay, but...
I've just discovered a new product from a company called World Famous. I believe they make camping equipment. The item is called an Alaska Camping pad. It is 2 layers of foam laminated to a layer of aluminum. That layer reflects body heat and keeps you warm. The label makes no claims about temperature but states "Ideal and comfortable on frozen ground."
I've posted a couple of pictures on my stealth camping picture site.
I hope to try it out soon.
In the past I have slept on an aluminum screen meant to keep the sun off car windshields. It works okay, but...
I've just discovered a new product from a company called World Famous. I believe they make camping equipment. The item is called an Alaska Camping pad. It is 2 layers of foam laminated to a layer of aluminum. That layer reflects body heat and keeps you warm. The label makes no claims about temperature but states "Ideal and comfortable on frozen ground."
I've posted a couple of pictures on my stealth camping picture site.
I hope to try it out soon.
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Reflective heat loss is a relatively small component of total heat loss. One miracle product that they came out with combined a layer of foil right in a polarguard bag, it probably worked, but nobady could really tell outside of the lab so I never saw it in subesequent years. The main ways to deal with heat loss (baring heating) are vapour barrier and insulation, just like houses. The great thing about space blanckets is really how small and light they are, and durable. The reflective part is no harm but not much good either, sometimes the shinny product are just good.
#3
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I don't know anything of the product you mention, and I ground camp as you now. But I have been using the reflective blanket that is marketed by Coughlans, I think, in places like Wal-Mart and Canadian Tyre. It is red or blue woven fabric on one side, and aluminium foil laminated on the other side under a clear plastic overlay. I use it as a ground sheet under the tent as a heat reflector in winter. In summer, I use it the other way around, so the reflective surface is downward.