Cheap Sleeping Pad - Mylar Bubblewrap | Quick Tip

You don't have to break the bank to get a good sleep while camping. A simple mylar bubble-wrap insulation will help retain your body heat. Cheap, and very lightweight.
Reflectix Mylar Bubblewrap: lrnsr.co/4WrI
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[@snakeclaw]

I'm in the construction field and work with reflectix. You might want to read how reflectix works before you recommend it. It's a good product when you can ensure an air gap on each side, especially the side you are attempting to reflect heat back onto. The instructions clearly state this. Imagine the heat coming off a stove burner. It would burn your hand 12 inches above, right? Now put a frying pan in between. Suddenly the heat has a barrier to overcome and your hand is no longer as hot. However if you touch that pan it's very hot and will burn you thus negating the benefit of the pan as a shield. Reflectix works the same way. You cannot touch it for it to work

[@kurtbaier6122]

I’ve been using a truck windshield foil sun reflector for years in a hammock or on the ground down to 30 F. Below that it needs help, so I sewed a thin yoga mat to it. The foam warms quicker to your body. I use about 52 inches of foil insul with 4 ft “y” of paracord gorilla taped to the top to stop it from sliding down. Easy to tie off at the top. Easy to shift side to side. You will have to trim the sides near the head some but not a lot. I use the foil to not reflect my heat as much as to keep the cold from penetrating, and it works. I liked your vid.

[@redlady935]

Kurt Baier I use sunshield too but can't decide if it's better with metallic against body of facing down to ground

[@nam1555]

I have tried using Reflectix in my hammock multiple times over the past year at different temperatures. I have always found that it work somewhat. I still wake up cold while laying on the homemade mat. I have place a Thermarest foam Z mat one one side of my hammock and the reflectix on the other, taped together. Then laid in the middle using a 20 degree down sleeping bag. The Reflectix always was not as warm as the Thermarest foam. You can feel the cold comin in. As soon as i moved the Thermarest over, fully underneath me, I could immediately tell the difference in warmth. I would pay the extra for the Thermarest. Use the Reflectix for other purposes. Warm camping!

[@carvedwood1953]

Or use both, or something else in combination to increase R value.

[@Superduper666]

That's a good idea - to tape them together

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

If you roll this up tight and slide it into the hole created by your green closed cell foam pad it doesn't take up extra space on your pack. Can be used either on top of or underneath of your air mattress. Plus add some type of covering to which ever is next to your body (I use a piece of wool cut to fit with elastic to hold it on air mattress ) noise is diminished & radiates Great Heat👍

[@XwaYdesu]

Mylar collects condensation really well. It's a major downside because when our clothes get wet, they zap our body heat. I say this as a backpacker who experimented using mylar blankets in place of a sleeping bag in 45F temps. Please test these thing out first at home in comparable conditions as you plan to use them in elsewhere. Hypothermia hits fast and kills.

[@1caramarie]

Thanks for the link. Special bonus for me, a woman that gave it top rating, had the perfect solution for me too keep cold air out of the house, due to a hand carved 100 year old door that I DO NOT want to replace with a cheap (even if expensive) modern door. Plus it also works for my small basement bathroom. I was thinking of lining the walls with regular bubble wrap, but that would work better.

[@17025601]

Reflectix is the greatest thing ever! Insulation for RV windows, Jeep windows when parked in hot weather, etc.

[@johnmartindale4101]

Cool idea! Here's Another idea 48" wide might be better though! 24" might be to tight after you get inside it, especially if you had a blanket or something in there with ya! If you were to duct tape the sides & make a survival sleeping bag out of it.

[@philipoday8337]

Ten degreesI made one of these using two of them. Used gorilla tape so they can be doubled up as a ground pad. Unfold them in a hammock so you can sleep with the sides coming up on both sides. Last time Used it it was ten degrees I actually woke up and was blazing warm!

[@theprophetez1357]

I have a homemade one that is 48" across and plenty long. I started with a reflective blanket, then added thin hardwood floor underlayment that is one side plastic, and one side a thin foam cushion to each side. After securing those together I taco wrapped it with Tyvek. It is now 5 layers thick and very helpful in the hammock. I also put 4 grommets to hold it in place, with paracord, in my hammock. I then took old house paints I had and painted it with a different camo pattern on each side.

[@Snailmailtrucker]

Dollar Tree sells 2ft. X 5ft. Car sunshades for $1.00 each... just about the same stuff at 1/5th the price ! Good video tho...Thanks.... Liked and Subscribed !

[@lrnselfreliance]

Great suggestion! I wonder how long they are? I need a long sleeping pad because I'm so tall! :P

[@minjin0259]

I literally just used a sun shade that I got from the auto store for $6 on a late season elk hunt in 20 degree weather. worked like a charm. Put it under my sleeping pad and it fit perfectly under my core.

[@alexanderfoster5497]

In fact, the Pearl Wool that the Screen Sun Shades use is better than the bubblewrap, apparently. 👍

[@tonycelestro1959]

@@minjin0259 i put one of those in my 50 degree sleeping bag in denver when it was around 40 degrees at night. My back was hot and sweaty. I then wrapped a survival blanket inside the bag. I was warm the whole night! Just reflected my body heat back to me!

[@stephenhill6003]

Thanks. I've used this under my self-inflating mat for protection from the ground and it is surprising durable and for me it's not terribly loud. However, I cannot sleep with just the reflectix as it is pretty thin on its own.

[@Seamus3051]

Thanks for the innovative idea ...... will certainly try it on mu next over night ... you have the soul of an engineer ... keep the good videos coming ... Cheers.

[@indigodragon7129]

Idea, Full composite tubing with gallium glue and coil gallium tubing to a mat of reflectix. Get a foton cover and cut and sew in a thick cotton liner on one side then sew in a thinner liner of cotton on the side with the galluim filled tubing. The gallium will absorb and conduct the body heat has the reflectix reflects the that heat back to be able to stay warmer longer without a heat source other then just body heat. You could even design a sleeping bag using this concept that you could remove the insert and wash. 😊

[@brandonmurphy8253]

Do it and make a vid. It sounds like it's just what we viewers want to see.

[@soldtobediers]

Got some to insulate the sound in the cab of my 50 model chevy pickup. It's fairly durable & easy to cut & shape. Responds well to double side sticky tape for those tight shapes of the cab corner pockets. Gotta flat backyaed hammock that stays wet for a day after a rain. So a cut taped together sheet of this oughta stop the transfer of the water. Hell, might even leave it tied on to the top of it for before it rains. Thanks for the ground proofing tip LS-R. 22818

[@lrnselfreliance]

Glad to hear it works well for you! I’ve been very happy whenever I’ve used it. Cheap and easy to work with

[@bonariablackie4047]

You would definitely want to put it underneath something else. Because if you were to lie directly on it, you would sweat buckets, get wet, and then get cold.

[@TruthSeeker9038]

This would also be really helpful to insulate walls in your tent while winter camping

[@blessedarmadillo8257]

The R value of Reflectix is R-1. Really good pads insulate up to 5 - 9 R value. A simple closed cell foam pad with a reflective surface will give you an R value of about 2.8. It will cost you more (around 30 bucks) but you will be warmer AND more comfortable. Try sleeping outdoors on a Relflectix pad. End of story.

[@GeneralPreparedness1]

The Reflectix he has is available at Home Depot and is R 3.1 - R 21, not R 1. Also, I don't believe that they factor in the thermal/infrared reflection from the mylar which is 94%. I've used an R 3 pad from REI and this in the same night, Reflectix was less comfortable but significantly warmer due to the mylar. www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-16-in-x-25-ft-Double-Reflective-Insulation-Roll-with-Staple-Tab-Edge-ST16025/100012574

[@shaneintegra]

drop.com has the klymit with a 4.4 R value for $45. with that price trying to make your own makshift pad isn't worth it

[@stephenverchinski409]

Sometimes I will on snow, use a cut down solar shade for a car that has a 1/8" of foam sandwiched between two layers of foil and a air insulated pad. The solar shade is a good thermal break and the foil is a very good stopper of radiant heat loss. Folds small and uber light weight.

[@prepared2thrive101]

Nice. Going to use this when I insulate the bug out enclosed camper trailer conversion; I’ll buy extra to add this to the tent sleep systems for insulation.

[@lrnselfreliance]

It should work great for the trailer. It’s intended to be used in walls!

[@prepared2thrive101]

Just subbed you.

[@grievingsage1899]

This is amazing! THANKS!

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

Heres a hack... Vehicle windshield sun visors are super cheap, sometimes at a dollar store,and they come folded,and printed if ya like that....works great. Forgot my pad and underquilt once and used my visor.....

[@NoOne-ul5fb]

This stuff works great with some aluminum tape to make pot , cup cozies to keep your drinks or food warm.

[@mulhall72]

I used to floor my 5x7 tent with it (it's a pain it the ass in strips and fucking slippery) until I found a thicker emergency blanket (one sided reflective material) that's 5x7 for the same job. Blanket doesn't slide around like that crap.

[@francoismorin8721]

Thanks for the tip. I will use it on my SUV plateform I want to built for car camping.

[@robertl.fallin7062]

Slippery surface might need some help keeping pad and sleeping bag together . Cold from the ground is no joke and whatever works is good and that is the reason my old bones does truck camping with a folding canvas cot, wool blanket below and above. Enjoy rustic camping while you can.

[@CanadianPrepper]

Great! Thanks for the tip Mylar is awesome- CP

[@prepared2thrive101]

Canadian Prepper! What’s up brother? Stay warm.

[@Nathanallenpinard]

I have an air mattress, which even in 58 degree temps it seemed to get ice cold. I think putting these on top with a sheet over would work well probably. Maybe another one on the floor to reduce the cold from the ground.

[@randycurtis1176]

I bet this combined with a yoga mat would make a good ground pad at least I to the high twenties.

[@RenePatrique]

The "DoubleBubble Radiation Pad" from Hennessy Hammocks is exactly this stuff. I slept with that HH pad (in size XL) in my hammock as well as on the ground, and it works really great. - You'll get no "Cold Butt Syndrome" in a Hammock, if you use this. - Recommended!

[@altair458]

Damn!!! Thanks man, I subscribe, please keep up the good work!!!!👍👍👍👍👌

[@Strange-Viking]

Going to get one, glue foam ontop sew a fabric sleeve for it and glue it in place too :)

[@lrnselfreliance]

Would probably help with the padding issue. I hope it works for you!

[@Strange-Viking]

Learning Self-Reliance I think so :) maybe ductape over the bottom for puncture protection. the foam ontop will do the same. with the glue on I think it wont crackle at all.

[@ecrow6]

When you actually weigh this, it weighs MORE than most thicker sleeping pads. It is cheap, tough, and good for a snow camping base, though.

[@fernandocabanillas8133]

Wouldn’t you want to put this on top of your Matt so that it reflects your body heat back to you? Instead of putting under your Matt?

[@WhatsUpWithSheila]

That's how I use it.. but with a cover Over The Reflex because if it touches your skin it makes you sweat as long as there's a barrier between you and it,... it keeps you warm

[@joshuasutherland7044]

Great recommendation for hammocks. Im planning on a solo AT back packing trip first time in a hammock I was planning on using an sol space blanket. I think some scrap insalation might be the way to go.

[@lrnselfreliance]

+Joshua Sutherland for sure. I've seen one hammock company that sells these pads for $150 a piece. Ridiculous once I realized what they're selling!

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

what? lol what company was that? what a rip. this stuff is cheap.

[@lrnselfreliance]

+matanuska high im not sure. I looked around but couldn't find them. They were a premium hammock company. Very fancy hammocks

[@MatanuskaHIGH]

if you want a wider pad they also sell this in 4 ft wide

[@toddgrubaugh9194]

I have some of this stuff laying around at work I'm going to island royale in May it's gonna be cool at night 30 degrees Hammock Camping for 7 days I'm going to try this thanks

[@drewjohnson6107]

How'd it work out?

[@bonnie2057]

Subscribed to your channel very good idea

[@hogey74]

Hey, I think this might be more sturdy in some ways but the car shade thing has been handy I've found. A couple of bucks too. I've also just bought a really cheap foam roll thing with foil or something on one side ... maybe $6? It is going to be my bottom layer for some serious winter camping.

[@thomasnugent7602]

Very good, Thank you very much

[@JJ-rl5ef]

Question, is it puncture resistant i.e. could it be used with a floorless tarp, or would I need something like tyvek?

[@rodrigodetriano8273]

I take an electric bar heater with me when I'm camping in the great outdoors

[@davemi3213]

I wonder how that would work inside or under a sleeping bag

[@DaveM-mp6yu]

Works well in your hammock so you don't have a cold back.

[@christurnbull2481]

What's the best way to use this if you have an inflatable sleeping pad? Under the pad or on top of the pad directly under your sleeping bag?

[@lrnselfreliance]

I’d put it under my pad. I would sacrifice the cheaper pad to the ground. 😁

[@bonnie2057]

That's so cool

[@DanielCanfield]

Great video! Why'd you quit making videos and will you be returning to KZbin?

[@lrnselfreliance]

Thanks for the compliment. The reason I haven’t made any videos is because I had a kid. He never lets me sit alone and work on a video! So, I gotta figure out a balance somehow. I tried to make a bugout video a couple months ago, but it didn’t work out. But I’ve got plans to try another bugout video this spring! Hopefully it works out this time.

[@becauseitscurrentyear8397]

if its 25 for 25x2 ft than its .5 or 50 cents for a foot (squared)

[@axerxes3981]

I just caught your video.... way cool. Now that you've had a couple of years to try it... how has it worked out?/ Does it improve your warmth?? Is it comfortable to sleep on?? Did you have problems with the bubbles popping with use over time?? Thanks for sharing.... terrific idea@@ Best wishes.... Ax

[@lrnselfreliance]

I haven’t used it much. I have a much better pad that I use

[@axerxes3981]

Roland.... thanks for the quick answer and the update. Best wishes.... Ax

[@arrendaled]

This is used in the ac industry as duct wrap with a temperature difference of 40 to 50 degrees so it has potential. However keep in mind that it is stiff, can buckle into uncomfortable seams in a hammock and is loud when it crackles. That may get better with use, idk

[@luc1ferblack]

better off with 11mm underlay it has 3x the r-value

[@puddin94]

❤

[@davidvaughn7752]

Instead of 72", you cut a couple of inches more. Good job. You'll be comfortable. How did this work out for you?

[@susan319]

Awesome Idea, Thank you

[@MrTangent]

Why do you have an NSA shirt?

[@vsauce6940]

Don't ask he has your data

[@danhle1032]

why did you recommend this? Did you try it before making this video? anyway, more importantly how do you find it performing? have the bubbles burst?

[@danhle1032]

+danh le + other forums have mentioned how you can barely move due to the noise and movement will pop the bubbles

[@lrnselfreliance]

+danh le I haven't tried it out for very long yet, just laid on it on a hard surface. I didn't feel any bubbles pop, but I was being careful not to pull all my weight in one spot, such as on an elbow. I do believe the noise complaint though, I've used a mylar tarp when it was cold, it was VERY loud. I imagine this sleeping pad would be similar. I made a video about this because its so cheap, and even if it only has a few uses, some people go camping so infrequently, that it would be very cost effective. Also, if you're preparing for a "survival scenario" it is cheap and light, and in a survival situation, you would only need it for a few days (hopefully!).

[@vaderbean1]

danh le I've used this stuff a lot for both work and camping and the bubbles are very hard to pop if you buy the good quality stuff and the noise isn't really that bad once you put a sleeping bag on it unless your convulsing in your sleep it won't be too noisy at all.

[@b0mazor]

Whats the r value?

[@alecdiebel167]

Can you stuff it?

[@michaelshoop4212]

Could someone tell me what temperature these should insulate down to ?

[@lrnselfreliance]

+Sloth Tf2 Content I haven't tested it down very far. But I wouldn't bet it would go down too low.

[@bethminer7634]

Maybe duct tape two together for extra width

[@zanshinhabit6212]

Beth Miner, did you mean for extra thickness?

[@wallytuescher2175]

It is available 4 feet wide too.

[@bethminer7634]

zan shin habit...no to dbl the width. connecting two

[@mediaskate648]

is it foldable rather than rollable?

[@lrnselfreliance]

Yes. But as long as you don’t fold it so hard you pop the bubbles. I think that they would be hard to pop

[@logicalrat]

Just go ahead and buy a $25 Therm-a-rest z-lite, folks.

[@angryagain68]

More like $35, but ya.

[@mont-montw.6427]

OOH KAY SO WHERE DO I PURCHASE THIS & HOW MUCH SIR...OK U SAID $5.00s

[@daschundloverable]

Amazon is cheapest.

[@alexsmall5732]

$5? $6.25 roughly.

[@wildflower_gypsy]

how much does this weigh?

[@lrnselfreliance]

It’s very light. I would say only a few ounces per pad. Less than a pound for sure

[@doubleganger2]

I got some based on a different video. That stuff is way too noisy for me to sleep on. Wasted time and $30

[@ReiMonCoH]

Being as an Actual from sleeping mat is like $4, maybe not

[@acceptable1000]

nice beard

[@lrnselfreliance]

+acceptable1000 Thanks!

[@susanlea7759]

Holy cow-lay it on the floor to get an accurate measurement.

[@lrnselfreliance]

Too true! But who wants to move a camera? Haha