Thread: Sleeping mat recommendations

Sea to summit: usually pack down a bit smaller and lighter for the same r-value
Slippery face material, you may find yourself sliding around on the floor of your tent. Hex baffles, sometimes Crinkly-sounding. 1-year warranty.

Exped: long vertical baffles. The face fabric usually feels nicer and is quieter against your tent/bag. 5-year warranty. Personally i prefer exped, have spent many nights on a winterlite 5cm.

R-value: this is a measure of insulation from the ground, just like underfloor insulation in your house. An r-value of 3 is sufficient for summer and shoulder seasons. Some will say also for winter, but I'd recommend at least an R of 4 if you're in a tent. R-value is additive so you can get a lighter mat, and bring a second closed-cell foam mat to bulk up your insulation on winter hunts. This is a common practice among mountaineers, saves you buying/carrying a mat that's too warm and bulky for most of your hunts.

Source: worked in bivouac for years