Not a super important question, but I'm just killing time before my next big tour... Vancouver to Panama and back starting in September. Pondering a new pad...

Looking at pads anywhere from R-Value of 2 to 5.7.... Mostly at the Thermarest NeoAirs and similar. Right now I sleep on a foam pad, with only a R-value of 1.6, but it is a little cold sometimes, never done much winter camping, but I expect that might change. Is there such a thing as too much r-value?

Any thoughts on r-value and any other suggestions on new pads appreciated.

I can't help on the R value, but the Neoair air mattress has a very crinkly sound every time you move. Put one on the floor in the camping store and lie down on it and see what you think of it. I do not know why it is so noisy, that is the only pad I have that is that noisy.

Any suggestions for something similarly light and comfortable but that's a bit quieter? I've heard some other people complain about it too, but other seem fine with it, so I guess it depends on your noise level tolerance.

My neoair basic early model is crinkly but with my sleeping bag on top, it doesn't bother me. It might bother other people who are more sound sensitive but compared to other sounds in the tent, plus just being so tired after a days ride has meant it's not been an issue. It's possible the newer ones are quieter.
Just remember trying one in a store will be louder without a sleeping bag on it.
As for r factor, whatever mine is (probably very middling) it's been fine in the temps I've camped at, lowest maybe 5c?

Also not sure what r-value you need, but I used a Klymit Static V over a closed cell foam pad in temps down to 25F and was warm as toast. Klymit makes an insulated version as well with an r-value around 4.5. The Klymit pad that I used can fit into a water bottle cage when it's packed. Highly recommended.

I am using Thermarest Trail Pro Sleeping pad

And of course, the big variable of sleeping bags and each persons cold factor are always going to play a part here.
I imagine some good advice from store employees who camp in colder temps will help, not to mention asking mr google

Nothing to add, sorry but am compelled to ask. Panama the South American country or Panama the city in Florida?

Might I suggest you go to Whiteblaze.net and talk to them about it. The backpackers will talk your ears off about it. You will need to tell specific temp ranges you are considering. Time of year? do you sleep cold or warm? male or female? Elevation of camp sites? Type of tent? feeding and hydration habits. Many of them know a lot. Friendly non-judgement folks. They might try to get you to sell your bicycle and buy trail shoes and a good pack.

closed cell foam pads are thin, about a 1/2", but insulate you from the ground and Wont go flat..

I bought a couple of REI brand air mattresses at their scratch and dent sales that leaked, patched the leaks and had good luck with them after that. The REI brand air mattresses I use are not noisy at all. One advantage of the REI ones is that the side tubes were a bit bigger, it was harder to roll off the side of the air mattress.

I have not winter camped for a couple decades, I was winter camping before Thermarest existed. I had good luck with a inch of open cell foam above a half inch of closed cell foam. In the morning the divot in the snow under me indicated that I melted less snow than the other guys that had less insulation under them. And my bag was down so I had virtually no insulation in my bag under me where I compressed it. An advantage of a frame pack like I was using for winter camping is that your rolled up pad could be enormous and not a problem because it was strapped on the outside of your pack, but for bike touring that could be a problem.

For bike touring I like air mattresses, they are much less volume than the Thermarest pads and I can put the air mattress in a pannier quite easily. But for backpacking where I can strap the pad on the outside of the pack, I prefer a really light weight shorty Thermarest pad instead of a full length air mattress.

One disadvantage of some air mattresses is that it can take several minutes to try to extract the air out in the morning. Consider that when you do your shopping, ask the staff at the store if they would mind if you tried to roll it up and see how long it takes to get the air out of it to roll it up.

For me it's all about weight and packed volume. NeoAir, hands down. The fact that they are extremely comfortable and good insulation are added bennies. If they're crinkly, it sure never bothered me. They're easy to get the air out of, a little slower to get it in. I've used them for several seasons, no problems. They seem to be weirdly durable, considering what they look like.

You might try the Sea To Summit pads they have various versions insulated and non but the key thing is they are the most comfortable I have tested. Neo-airs are nice don't get me wrong, Therm-a-Rest is top quality and Cascade Designs in general makes some high quality outdoor goods but Sea To Summit mats are way better designed so less noise and more comfort.

The country, I wasn't aware there was a city. HAH.

Thanks all for the thoughts, I'm still no closer to coming to a consensus though...

I've used both an old thermarest foam style pad that I gave away a few years ago and a solid yellow foam pad that I'm using now. I like the ease of use, but am looking for a little more comfort, especially on non pristine camp spots, and maybe a bit better packability...

I'd like to probably buy at MEC though because of the guarantee that if I'm not satisfied I can return to try something else. I think I'll have to just go to MEC someday and pick something out. I like the idea of packing small though, would leave room on the rear top rack for something else...

I've spent an hour easily at MEC inflating and laying on various mats before I got the neoair. There are numerous neoair models, but no matter the model of brand, actually blowing up and trying diff positions on a pad is the best way to go, plus you can see the rolled size.
Obviously a less busy time is better.
Going down the coast then into the various central American countries you'll encounter a big range of temps.
Quite the trip idea, have fun planning it.

It doesn't bother me at all, just the people sleeping nearby (I suspect because when I lend it to a fellow camper - my kids - I can hear it).

May I ask a related question please? I'm planning a tour of the Pacific Coast from N. Oregon to San Francisco, mid August to early September. A little way off, but I'm shopping for camping equipment this weekend. What would be a sensible "comfort" rating for temperature? I don't want to spend $$$ on down if not necessary, and the lighter weight/more compact the better. I've seen this Mountain Hardwear bag rated at 45 degrees F, and only 760g / 14x28cm pack size. How's that?

Future use will most probably be further touring/camping in generally pleasant climes.

I did this trip in June many moons ago, and I expect the temps to be similar in aug sept. I used a lightish summer bag and dont really have recollections of ever being cold, always had a fleece with me and a pair of long pants for the evenings and mornings.
Take a peek at various places along the route for expected temps in those months and you should be able to get an idea of waht to expect.
Being from Blighty, you'll be at home (not for rain mind you) that june trip was the coldest june I had ever experienced, here in the east of canada, its not uncommon to have 30c days in early june sometimes, and it seemed to me taht the west coast trip was rarely above 20, maybe 25 tops, but usually a bit cooler. Nice riding weather in other words.

are you completely new to camping?

enjoy the trip, its a neat part of the world to bike in. It is hilly in some areas, so do make sure you have reasonably low gearing.
Again, enjoy it. Oh, use a mirror, it can be busy sometimes and having a heads up behind is always a plus when bike touring.
cheers

I used a 40 degree rated bag for Astoria to San Fransisco in late May and most of June in 2014. Used a 2 inch thick air mattress, REI brand.

I also use a liner in the bag, not for additional warmth, but to keep the bag cleaner. I have two, one is some form of microfiber, the other silk. I do not recall which I brought on that trip.

I wrote up most of my observations on that route at this link: https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/95...l#post16933424

I wouldn't worry about the R-Value of a pad.

Just find one that is comfy.

Vancouver Washington or Vancouver BC?

I could imagine a very light sleeping bag for most of the trip, but a few nights along the day when a bit extra insulation would be handy. I'd probably choose to do the North in August, and maybe target San Francisco for the first of September, or so.

I use a Big Agnes sleep system bag. No insulation on bottom. It has a sleeve that a pad slips into. I have a tapered Thermarest Pro Plus pad. Works well.

For a bit of added insulation I bought a roll of Reflectix. $16 w/shipping. I cut a piece to fit in the pad sleeve to go under the Thermarest, doesn't weigh enough to worry about:

Reflectix

I was big enough to cut to size and used the "drop" for a few pot cozies and cover for the critters travel crate.

It hasn't been cold enough in Georgia to actually test it. But the theory seems good!!

This is great, thanks! Have read through briefly and will bookmark the thread for future reference.

Thanks everyone for the comments.
[MENTION=199530]djb[/MENTION] - I've done a fair bit of camping, but not on a bike, so this is the first time I've really had to think about weight/size vs function. The first time I realised that not all sleeping bags are made the same was when trying to sleep in a Nepalese tea hut in the Himalayas at 3,000m. In December. Ugh!

[MENTION=392454]CliffordK[/MENTION] - Yes, following the weather South with a tail wind behind us was the plan.

Glad to help, I hope you enjoy your trip on this side of the pond.

If you get to San Francisco a few days early, I stayed at this hostel for three days while sightseeing there in June 2014, price was great.

T

They do fill, if you plan to go there, make reservations in advance. HI San Francisco Fishermans Wharf | Historic hostel on the Bay | HI USA

Thanks. Yeah, we plan on getting to SF with a couple of days to rest before heading back (via Vancouver where my brother lives). I've been to SF once, but only an overnighter on the way to Lake Tahoe, so a lot more to see still.

Phil, one of the nice things about this trip down the coast is that there is lots of info on it. Its been over 20 yrs since I did it, but even then this book was around,

Bicycling the Pacific Coast: A Complete Route Guide, Canada to Mexico: Vicky Spring, Tom Kirkendall: 9780898869545: Books - Amazon.ca

which I used and was handy for knowing distances between campgrounds, towns with facilities etc. This was pre internet of course, but its always handy to have a good idea of what is where, and especially to plan where to sleep state park wise. I'm fairly certain the distances between campgrounds was never much more than about 100km or 60 miles.(ish)

re weather, having a long sleeved thin wool or polypro top, plus bike shirts, plus a fleece and a rain jacket/shell, will pretty much cover the range of temps you'll encounter. I may have taken a thin winter hat but I dont remember, those "buff" things are pretty versatile also, but as I said, do some internet searching and you'll easily find lows and highs for that time of year in various spots along the route.
Having a few days in San Fran will be fun. Sure, its a touristy city, but I spent a bunch of days just wandering around and it is a neat city, so have fun. You will notice that there are lots of panhandlers, people asking for money, the climate of california means there are more homeless people in general, so just be aware and being from London, just use your common sense of being aware of your surroundings.
Enjoy Vancouver as well with your relative there, I'm sure this whole trip will be a really neat experience.

riding down the coast is a big tourism draw, so my comment on having a mirror is especially important on a road where people renting cars or driving those ridiculously huge American recreational vehicles will be driving along looking at the sights--having a few seconds of heads up of what is behind you (especially with an oncoming truck for example) on a narrow stretch is very much a life saver.
Do think of a mirror type that can easily switch to the other side of your helmet, or handlebars, than you are used to.

I use this, and it can be found for about 18 quid online , here is a good review of it by a couple who biked around the world:

Take-A-Look Mirror | TravellingTwo: Bicycle Touring Around The World

cheers