Narrow Sleep Mats / Short Sleep Mats inserted into CCF - Would this work?

[AnalogKid]

Is the following an entirely silly idea.

CCF pad, with a shape/hole cut out to allow a short 120cm x 50cm Self Inflatable (SIM) to be 'inserted'


I'm after a sleep solution for occasional 1-2 nights camping in the North of the UK - Mostly late Autumn, Summer and Early spring.
Temperatures around 3c/37f

I do not get on with 20inch/50cm wide pads (at all).
It would have to be a 60cm wide pad

The SIM would be 1 Inch /25mm Depth ; with an R Value around 2.4

SIM would weight around 450grams (eg thermarest trail scout small)

This way
-- The SIM wont move around - its contained in the 'cut out' hole of the CCF
-- The CCF is 60cm wide / 340grams / 180cm long / 12mm thick - create the cut out and the CCF is now approx 170 grams -
-- CCF still lives outside the pack -and theres still a useful 60cm as a sit pad etc

Total all up weight is 170+450 = 620grams

The 60cm width of the CCF means my arms would not 'fall' off a narrow SIM - to the cold ground etc
and the 12mm drop between the SIM and the CCF should be an issue

 

[WilliamC]

It might well work as a sleeping mat with improved comfort over CCF alone, but I doubt that the hole in the CCF will do a lot to stop the SIM from moving around, though it will be better than a SIM alone on a slippery groundsheet.

 

[Lemming]

I wonder if just gluing the SIM mat to the CCF would be a better idea?
Slightly heavier, as no cut out, but removes any chance of movement and the SIM mat part could be rolled to the inside, so protecting it when on the outside of the pack.

 

[Mole]

So you are doing this to save 170g of CCF?

The CCF with a hole in it will have a section with just 2 x 50mm strips each side. Do you think that's durable enough, or going to roll up easily?

I think I'd just take the whole CCF mat.

My goto mat for years was a short (120cm) Thermarest Prolite 3 SIM (360g).

When it got colder (<5⁰) I would supplement with a full length CCF. It was ok down to -10⁰C. I mostly used a standard width CCF, (225g) and sometimes a wider "5 season" mat which was a bit heavier.

 

[Mole]

I wonder if just gluing the SIM mat to the CCF would be a better idea?
Slightly heavier, as no cut out, but removes any chance of movement and the SIM mat part could be rolled to the inside, so protecting it when on the outside of the pack.

Neat idea. Or maybe some big velcro patches?

 

[Johnny3000]

Somebody shortened a wide self-inflating pad like this:

Wide short self inflating pad? - Backpacking Light

And of course, 2 minutes after finally posting a question I find my answer https://youtu.be/AoRTAeKcA0w Now off to buy a cheap one from Amazon and hack it... ============================= I...

backpackinglight.com

 

[AnalogKid]

Thank you for the replies;
The 'hole' idea is to 'drop' the depth of the SIM Mat to be roughly level with the Z/Fold type CCF Mat

I tried a 3/4 Thermarest prolite / 1 inch) on a concrete floor - and it work really well for cushioning
The 1 Inch drop to the concrete did not work for my arms/shoulders etc - I could not get on with the width; and 'dropping off the edge

This way I get a 185cm x 60 cm 'warm padded surface', with the 120x50 protruding approx 12mm above the CCF; which should allow me to move around, roll etc.

@WilliamC My thought had been to place 4 pieces of velcro in the mix to provide some 'bonding' between the SIM and the CCF
@Mole - 5cm each side - completely agree - it could be a weak point
@Johnny3000 I can see myself giving this ago in the future - and I'd definitely post back

The weight saving is a 'bonus' - but not the essential element

To go forward - I'll likely go with the short SIM ; Just use it on top of the Z Fold for the moment (velcro or silicon beads for grip)
If the 'width drop' is an issue ; I can try the 'hole cut' then

PS: All of the above is to a) Avoid 50cm air only inflatables b) Not have to pay the premium for air only 60cm inflatables c) not have the 'inside the ruck sack' physical bulk of a 180cm/60cm SIM and also I have no issue carrying a Z Fold CCF on the outside of the pack

 

[AnalogKid]

I wonder if just gluing the SIM mat to the CCF would be a better idea?
Slightly heavier, as no cut out, but removes any chance of movement and the SIM mat part could be rolled to the inside, so protecting it when on the outside of the pack.

As a newbie - I'm wondering whether Ive used CCF incorrectly
I was using it to refer to the 'Egg Shell' style square Folding foam style mats

 

[Mole]

As a newbie - I'm wondering whether Ive used CCF incorrectly
I was using it to refer to the 'Egg Shell' style square Folding foam style mats

Yes that's still ccf. As is a roll of flat CCF.

 

[AnalogKid]

The MultiMat 25S Adventure Self inflating mat (SIM) arrived (1 Inch thick, 50cm wide, 120cm length)
(I already had the 60cm , 180cm /egg shell / folding CCF mat)

Its now clear its not a 'good idea' - 'Just' place the SIM on top of the CCF as is - no need to ciut holes etc

Overall
1) The SIM is so thin, there's no need to worry about the 'ledge' effect of the 50cm wide mat when 'dropping' down to the CCF - You don't feel it at all; Slept on the combination last night and its very comfortable

2) and I can see certain weather/summer season where all thats needed is the 3/4 sleeping mat - no CCF

 

[Mole]

The MultiMat 25S Adventure Self inflating mat (SIM) arrived (1 Inch thick, 50cm wide, 120cm length)
(I already had the 60cm , 180cm /egg shell / folding CCF mat)

Its now clear its not a 'good idea' - 'Just' place the SIM on top of the CCF as is - no need to ciut holes etc

Overall
1) The SIM is so thin, there's no need to worry about the 'ledge' effect of the 50cm wide mat when 'dropping' down to the CCF - You don't feel it at all; Slept on the combination last night and its very comfortable

2) and I can see certain weather/summer season where all thats needed is the 3/4 sleeping mat - no CCF

Of interest, what is the 60cm eggshell mat you are using? I have a Thermarest ZRest but that is 50cm.

 

[AnalogKid]

It's an Aliexpress mat.
Same mat appears as Widesea, Naturehike etc. It was about £6 and fluctuates between 6 to 11 pound depending on who's selling it.
The reflective coating may or may not be real.
It appears to be the same quality of mat that you would see in Decathalon, GoOutdoors etc.
If the link below doesn't work, I'll repost another link

 

[AnalogKid]

If you google +1005006286606073+ aliexpress, it should take you to the blue version of the mat

 

[Franky]

My last trip May/June downsized from a self inflating Berghaus Short mat to a Multimat short at 350gm.

(Cannot sleep on any high spec mats any more..tried ‘em all)

Advantage of these is that if punctured still have insulation…
Why a bulky CCF..just a strip of cheapo radiator insulation might suffice

 

[AnalogKid]

The CCF has a few benefits being a good "puncture barrier" and adding some extra thickness/comfort.

I do have a large roll of Radiator insulation, so will give it a go.