I'm starting to get some gear to start backpack camping and I'm now shopping for a sleeping pad. I'm not going to be needing ultralight I don't think, but I'm still trying to keep things light and packable. I don't see myself doing more than 10-15 miles a day, most cases, so that's why I say I don't think I need to go ultralight. Also talking about several days of hiking, not weeks. At the same time, I'd also like gear that would be light enough to get me through 20 mile days if I want to. But my tent is already 60 oz. total, so I'm already heavy to start. Maybe too heavy, I dunno. I went a little heavier on the tent (2P Nemo Dagger) because I like the option of being able to set it up as a base camp and day hiking the area and coming back to it at night, but also being able to take it with me if I don't have a base camp. Basically I have no idea what I'm doing at this point or where I'm going, so just bear with me.
I guess inflatable would be the best choice for that type? I'm not sold on that, just seems it would be best for what I'll be doing. I've been reading up on them, but my question is, does one exist for camping from 20 degrees to 80 degrees, or am I looking at 2 different pads? Is a 2 R value going to freeze me on a 20 degree night, and a 6R value melt me on a 70 degree night? Something in between for that large of a temperature range?
I think I have everything else right now to get started. I have an older 20 degree Mountain Hardware down sleeping bag, that packs down pretty well and I think is around 40 oz. I know a lot of backpackers prefer the quilts, but I think that bag will suffice for now until I get a little more of a feel for things. I'll scour the Big Bend thread because after a few nights around the Lake Georgetown trail, because it's close, that's probably where I'll head. Or somewhere over in West Texas, doesn't have to be Big Bend I suppose. I'll have a bunch more questions on that later.