u/69-Percent

I’ve found that during extreme shoulder season trips, I’m getting too cold at night. I just finished a 2-day canoe trip where temperatures hit -2C the first night and -7C (with windchill) the second. I’m trying to figure out what the weak link is, is it my sleeping bag or my pad.

Current Big 3/Sleep System <10lbs

- Tent: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2

- Bag: Therm-a-Rest Questar 20F/-6C

- Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT MAX(R-value: 4.5)

- Pack: GregoryStout 45L

I know am pushing past my bag’s comfort rating. Pad is advertised as 3 season but I'm wondering if a boost in ground insulation or a warmer bag is the more efficient "fix" for these shoulder seasons.

Upgrade my sleeping bag

• Sea to Summit Spark 15F (Lighter)
• NEMO Riff 15F (Heavier)

Upgrade The Pad

• Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT: (R-value 7.3)
• NEMO Eclipse 2026 (R-value 6.2)
• Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme: (R-value 6.2)

For those of you doing late October or early May trips in Ontario/the Rockies: Which upgrade would you prioritize first? Is the 4.5 R-value of the XLite enough if I just get a warmer bag or do i keep the bag and grab a warmer pad.

Thankyou!

I just got back from a 2-night canoe trip and I’m trying to figure out if I’m a "cold sleeper" or if my gear just isn't hitting its marks.

The Conditions:

• Daytime: Below 8°C with significant wind chill.
• Night 1: -2°C. I felt "okay" but was definitely on the cusp of being cold.
• Night 2: -5°C (felt like -7°C according to the weather app). I was cold.

My Setup:

• Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT MAX (R-value 4.5).
• Sleeping Bag: Therm-a-Rest Questar -6°C (650 fill).
• Clothing Worn: Midweight merino base layers, Helly Hansen 1/4 zip fleece, OR Superstrand XT Puffer, fleece beanie, fleece gloves, and merino socks.

On paper, the limit rating is -6°C and my pad has a solid R-value of 4.5. However, even with a puffer jacket and fleece on inside the bag, I was struggling at -5°C.

I know the comfort is 0 for the bag, so maybe i was outside the bags range?

1. Does the 650-fill down lose its efficiency when layered with a puffer inside? Am I compressing the loft?
2. Is an R-value of 4.5 enough for frozen ground, or should I be stacking a Folding foam pad underneath

I'd love to hear if I'm just expecting too much from this gear or if there's a weak link I'm missing. Thanks!