wandering sleeping pads

Actually it's the bag and me, but you get the idea.

I am not a serious backpacker or regular camper, but when I had the opportunity to buy a very high quality 0d sleeping bag at a super price, I bought it. 0d down bag, 800 loft down. Don't remember the outside fabric, but it is water resistant nylon. Replacing the bag will not be an option.

Besides buying a bag with a sleeping pad pocket, are there any reasonably price solutions to keep from rolling off the pad? I have a sewing machine, so DIY is an option. I've considered a few off the wall ideas, like velcro on the pad and bag, but am not crazy about modifications to either.

My limited research indicates this is a real and common problem. Surely there are solutions that have some promise. My prospective use is at high elevation (about 4000 m)in the Himalayas in the May - June time frame while trying to avoid the monsoon. I don't know the typical night temperatures, but am guessing that I should be prepared for temperatures near freezing. This area is about the same latitude as Miami so it will be warmer than than e.g. Colorado. FWIW, go to yetizone.com and follow the Langtang trek to kanjing gompa and langsisha karkha. Use google maps to find Langtang village (not the park). It should be marked.I want to do an over-nighter further up the valley.

So, after all this digression and wandering, looking for a practical solution to stay on my pad.

Look at what some companies use for their products: everything from a full sleeve to keep the pad in place, to bungie cords that link to loops.

My REI bag has a few loops that I could use...but so far I haven't needed them

i have the same issue. well, what'ser'name and i have it.
we also had that same issue with a memory foam pad on the bed in the house.
she bought a roll of that tacky stuff that keeps rugs from sliding around on the floor.
put a piece of it under the memory foam and it hasn't moved an inch since.
we'll be taking some remnants of that stuff with us when the weather warms up. i'll report back eventually. i HATE cold weather camping.

Is your problem you sliding off the pad or the pad sliding around on the floor of the tent?

For the former I would suggest bungee cords around the bag. For the later people usually recommend silicone glue. (Don't glue the pad to the floor). I think the recommendation is to puts silicone dots on your pad and stripes on the tent floor. Let the thoroughly dry and you should be good to go.

I have heard the silicon dots recommended for keeping the sleeping bag from sliding around as well. Dots on the top of the pad. I haven't tried it though...

My solution was twofold. One, I got something other than the thin self inflating pad - that led me to a nice comfy thick cushion of air instead of an inch of foam underneath me. Two, I slept on it and kept trying, and eventually trained myself to stay on the 20" wide space that was the sleeping pad. The majority of the battle was comfort - I sleep on my side, and move in my sleep, and move more as comfort decreases. So I use a NeoAir for three season and just got a nice comfy Exped for colder nights.

I recommend that you not make any assumptions based on latitude as to the warmth at night. Find out what you're up against and get a pad rated appropriately. Elevation is more of an indicator, and weather patterns. I guarantee the weather in the Himalayas has nothing in common with Miami.

I guarantee the weather in the Himalayas has nothing in common with Miami. [/quote]

Priceless.

The temperature in the Himalayas might have a lot in common with the temperature 13,000 feet above Miami. The temperature lapse rate is 3.5 degrees per thousand. So it would be about 45 degrees colder than the temperature at sea level in Miami. so when it is 70 in Miami, it would be 25 in the Himalayas.

But Miami is warmed somewhat by being near the water. So subtract maybe another 10 degrees for that.

Cold air may tend to sink down the mountains at night. So subtract another 15 degrees. Now you are down to 5 degrees.

It seems like it is always windy in the Himalayas. All that shaking around of the tent will cause the air that is normally a little warmer to exchange with the air outside. The effect will be maybe another 5 degrees. Now you are down to zero.

The only way to know for sure is to contact people there.

A few things can cause slippage that require no physical mods to fix.
1) don't over inflate the pad. A well inflated pad slips easier. Inflate, lay on it, let out air until it's comfy.
2) make sure your tent floor is level. The slightest incline and you'll eventually roll off, especially if the pad is hard.
3) box yourself in...you can lay jackets, packs, etc. on both sides of you which will help keep you centered.

I cured this by going to a Ridgerest foam pad. In my hammock it doesn't slip at all and I'm warm down to 18 deg. with it and no underquilt. My inflatables take up closet space and have become loaners these days.

My new Kelty bag has fabric loops sewn onto the sides of the bag so you can attach a pad to them with what I'll call a loop and peg.

Here's a photo of the type of peg fastener I'm talking about:

I've trekked in Nepal in both the Khumbu (Everest) region and up the Langtang valley in late November and December. Daytime highs normally about mid 50's, nighttime in trekking inns could be in mid 20's. One daytime snowstorm of several inches. Expect warmer. I do have a story about getting a ride from the support vehicle while riding my bike 40 KM downhill from a pass across the Himalayas because of the warming winds blowing uphill, but that's another story and time.

But typical temps may not be possible extreme. I'm trying to be prepared for 0d f. I was warm in a 0d down bag in the inns, but was sleeping on a thin mattress. Have been sleeping outside to try to get a feel for how much I need below me. I've never had luck sleeping on the ground outside in cold weather. But will probably have only one night outside where I need really good insulation from the ground. Should survive.

This night outside will be in Langtang at about 4000, but in a valley; this is not difficult. Annapurna is higher in many places, but should be similar alpine weather.

My point about the latitude is that it should be a bit warmer than e.g. Colorado at elevation in the same period. I'm sure there are members of the forum that could offer that input.

My sleeping bag has a Pertex exterior. Billstephendon post provides inspiration to put some sort of loops on the bag with straps underneath. Any input as to how I can attach these loops to the bag. Self sticking Velco? Some sort of adhesive? I'm thinking Loctite silicon adhesives or similar.

Bill, thanks, I was wondering what those were for.

If all else fails, try smearing some silicon on top of the pad, or on both sides. It's basically a sticky layer and will hopefully add some grip.