Z-fold or Reflectix Under Air Mattress


stillman

stillman

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Our air mattresses aren't insulated. It's rare that we need insulation, since the sleeping bag alone is often more insulation than we want. (I usually end up out of the bag by morning.)

On the rare occasions where we do need some insulation, I was thinking about using either a cheap z-fold mat or cutting some Reflectix to size.

Opinions? Experiences? Other suggestions?
 
Reflectix works great. Not much in the way of cushion but paired with an air mattress it should work well. I've used mylar emergency blankets before but they are noisy. Also, Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol sandwiches mylar between the two layers of closed cell foam. Have used one of those as well. Works well but bulky to carry. Lately I've been using an SOL emergency tarp, think orange tarp with heavy mylar on one side. More durable but not noisy.

Edit to add. Kinda like this one but could have sworn it was SOL brand. Have had/used it for a couple years now so, who knows.

 
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I use a Nemo Switchback Short pad. I use it for extra comfort and for extra insulation. Here in MN I have used it under a R4 sleeping pad in the winter down into the teens and it works well. I find the short pad works fine as it takes care of the core.
 
I'd get an insulated air mattress. My 30 year old Thermarest still works fine. No idea why the name brands are so ridiculously expensive now. But there are some off brand ones that look ok (I haven't tried them) and are affordable.
 
I've tried space blankets, quilts, car winshield reflectors, and the grabber style reusable space blankets to help poorly or un-insulated mats. The car winshield things work the best, so I'd think Reflectix would work well. I ended up buying a Sea to Summit pad that integrates the insulation.
 
WY_Not said:
Reflectix works great. Not much in the way of cushion but paired with an air mattress it should work well. I've used mylar emergency blankets before but they are noisy. Also, Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol sandwiches mylar between the two layers of closed cell foam. Have used one of those as well. Works well but bulky to carry. Lately I've been using an SOL emergency tarp, think orange tarp with heavy mylar on one side. More durable but not noisy.

Edit to add. Kinda like this one but could have sworn it was SOL brand. Have had/used it for a couple years now so, who knows.

Click to expand...
These have other uses around camp/ vehicle prep as well. Multi use is a good thing...
 
castle22 said:
I usually put the pad on top of the mattress. I have an insulated air mattress but I put a ridge rest on top when winter camping.
Click to expand...

This, and I prefer the foam, just because reflectix is noisier. Reflectix does work though, and probably what I would end up using if I didn't mind the slight noise and cost was a concern. It seems like many of the foam pads are more expensive than they should be.
 
castle22 said:
I usually put the pad on top of the mattress. I have an insulated air mattress but I put a ridge rest on top when winter camping.
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Exactly. I camp in the winter on frozen ground and use a thicker Nemo inflatable sleeping pad with a no-name closed-cell foam pad placed on top. There are videos online explaining that the ASTM R-value ratings for sleeping pads can be misleading. On thicker pads that use horizontal Mylar sheets for insulation, cold air can seep in through the sides, which reduces the effective R-value. I’ve found that placing the closed-cell foam pad on top of the inflatable one helps prevent this heat loss. I used to place it on the bottom, but changing it to the top made the biggest difference.
 
I've only used an air mattress a couple of times. I believe that if you put anything under the mattress that cold air will come in through the sides the mattress.

I believe the best result would be to use the air mattress for comfort, but put your pad or reflectix or whatever, on top the matress.
 
Young Blacksmith said:
I've tried space blankets, quilts, car winshield reflectors, and the grabber style reusable space blankets to help poorly or un-insulated mats. The car winshield things work the best, so I'd think Reflectix would work well. I ended up buying a Sea to Summit pad that integrates the insulation.
Click to expand...
This ^^^

I got some of the oversized windshield sun blockers from w-mart... "Dickies" branded. They are thick, almost in a quilted pattern. They really make a difference.

The first time we used them was during a gtg with the Colorado BCUSA crew, my son and I. We had 30°bags. It ended up getting down to a low of 14°. We laid the may down on top of a cot with our bags on top. We slept like babies.

I'll look for the post I made about it.
 
stillman said:
Our air mattresses aren't insulated. It's rare that we need insulation, since the sleeping bag alone is often more insulation than we want. (I usually end up out of the bag by morning.)

On the rare occasions where we do need some insulation, I was thinking about using either a cheap z-fold mat or cutting some Reflectix to size.

Opinions? Experiences? Other suggestions?
Click to expand...

For winter camping, I use an old school RidgeRest.
F6B5D96D-8671-4BED-84E9-7980D248B312_1_201_a.jpeg

Putting the RidgeRest on TOP of my inflatable pad is noticeably warmer.

Can’t comment on the effectiveness of the reflectix.
 
Well given the options you provided, and your goal of adding insulation, the Z is better, period. Higher R value in this application since Reflectix generally provides greater insulation only with a larger air gap.

That said, experiment at home with reflectix under just the torso as mentioned above. Use at your expected temps to see if it's sufficient. If it is warm enough for your use you win on price and weight, bulk! Cut full length it can be doubled for the torso if needed.
 
I use all three. US bivy, reflectix type product , a really old therm a rest then GI foam mat, frost will form at the reflectix barrier or maybe the therma rest layer,depending on how cold it is. It all doesn't weigh much. Just bulky. I want a 6' thermarest.
 
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