I don't think the advertised r rating is that unsual. Most of these pads are similar to the exped megamat which I own. They have a thick foam with baffles of air inside which you can see here: https://www.sportsbasement.com/products/megamat-auto.
Sleeping on a foam mattress is surely a bit hotter than a pure air mattress but it's not only for "deep winter." Most people who sleep on a megamat find them comfortable in all seasons
This is my exact intuition. OP needs something like a megamat set up with a cheap cot and then he could use a wide variety of sleeping bags. They don't have to be mummy bags and they don't have to be down because he's just dropping of gear via heli and only down to freezing. And actually he expressed concern that the down could get wet so that's another reason to go cheaper synthetic.
Something like this bag would be fine for the weather he has: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NLBF47T/?coliid=I2B0BWZYCQ5VR4&colid=CADYGQB5TIW5&th=1
This plus a 100 dollar cot from rei, and a name brand megamat would actually fit the budget quite nicely actually
We have several exped mats. As others have mentioned, the ultra are light weight for backpacking. We have an ultra duo and an ultra 3r, both are very comfortable.
If you are sleeping in your car, the megamat auto is amazing. I also have the megamat luxemat dou and find the megamat auto to be more comfortable. We have used the auto version in our tent as well. The regular megamat is very very comfortable and I highly recommend it.
We have several exped mats. As others have mentioned, the ultra are light weight for backpacking. We have an ultra duo and an ultra 3r, both are very comfortable.
If you are sleeping in your car, the megamat auto is amazing. I also have the megamat luxemat dou and find the megamat auto to be more comfortable. We have used the auto version in our tent as well. The regular megamat is very very comfortable and I highly recommend it.
exped mega mat auto. It’s as comfortable as a real mattress. Then use some Interlocking Puzzle Exercise Mat for Home and Gym Equipment to level it out. you can get like a 6 pack of them from Walmart home depot etc.
Are you looking for 2 mats at 100 each or at 100 total? I might get downvoted to hell, but I’m asking because we got one of the extra wide two person Exped Megamats at REI in their returned section for $190 a couple months ago. Have checked a few other REI’s since the and I keep seeing these. The new price is around $400, but getting it used for $200 felt good since it is generously sized for the two of us. It’s more comfortable than my home mattress with all the built in foam and they’re so much more durable than the inflatable-only ones we’ve used previously.
Was just about to suggest the same thing. We have one and I’ve never slept better. Much more insulating than the normal inflatable mattresses. I’d also suggest heating some water and putting inside a Nalgene (that you’re SURE is closed tight) and pre-warming the footbox of the sleeping bag with it! Yellowstone can get pretty cold at night. If it’s going to be below 45 Fahrenheit, definitely bring a thermal layer for her to sleep in under the clothes for the next day (so she doesn’t have to take off warm pajamas to dress on cold mornings) and sleep in a warm beanie hat! I get so cold at night, the hat and not having to change first thing in the morning helps so much. Usually by the time breakfast is over and we’re ready to roll out I’m warm enough to take the fleece layers off from under the day clothes.
The Megamat has been the best addition to my sleep system in years! Keeps me warm, I don’t wake up aching, and I get such better sleep on it than on the normal inflatable pads. Our REI had several varieties of sleeping pads on display that you could try, and the Exped was our favorite!
Another vote for the Exped Megamat!!! I’d rather sleep on ours than the spare bed when we go visit family! Putting one on a cot is the only way to survive a week of summer camp for me anymore! It’s a foam mattress and air mattress, and will stay fully inflated. If you live near an REI, go lay down on their try-it-out station. We also use it for car camping when the opportunity presents itself!
I have the double size for my swag and its probably one of the better purchases I have made. Use it a lot out of the swag too.
My mate also bought one, and lasted about the time it took him to walk to the kitchen for his cat to use it as a scratching mat.
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