Overheard a guy at REI saying sleeping pad R-values don't matter below freezing

I was swapping out a tent pole at the REI in Denver last weekend and this dude tells his friend R-values are just marketing BS. I've been relying on R-value ratings for 7 years to pick my winter pads. Am I overthinking insulation or is that guy just lucky with his setup?

1 comments

1 Comment

fionaw543h ago

Honestly, that guy is probably just lucky with a warm sleeping bag. Tbh, I've had nights in the teens where a low R-value pad left me shivering on the ground.