Air mattress vs. foam sleeping pad

[spressomon]

Went from Thermarest mattresses for backpacking/back country skiing sometime ago to the Exped DAM (Down Air Mattress). It is so comfortable I take it to sleep on instead of the uncomfortable beds at my relatives!

It sucks getting older and wanting more comfort! To think I used to sleep on rock or snow with 3/8" Ensolite :yikes: .

 

[slomatt]

For Christmas I received an Exped Downmat 9 DLX which is a 3.5" thick down filled air mattress. Down looses it's insulating efficiency when wet so the storage bad is used to pump up the mattress rather than exhaling into it which would introduce water vapor, it's an interesting setup. The Downmat 9 DLX is a competitor for the Thermarest DreamTime mattress and has very positive reviews.

I've used inflatable air mattresses for years while camping and had to replace them every year or two due to leaks or punctures. This fall friends and I spent a night in the Sierras where the temperature dropped to below 20 degreees farenheight, even with a level of blankets on top of the air mattress for insulation it was very cold. I'm hoping the Downmat will provide enough support to be comfortable, and at the same time provide much better insulation. I will be posting a review after it's first use.

- Matt



http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf/b43HomePageE?openframeset

 

[spressomon]

For Christmas I received an Exped Downmat 9 DLX which is a 3.5" thick down filled air mattress. Down looses it's insulating efficiency when wet so the storage bad is used to pump up the mattress rather than exhaling into it which would introduce water vapor, it's an interesting setup. The Downmat 9 DLX is a competitor for the Thermarest DreamTime mattress and has very positive reviews.

I've used inflatable air mattresses for years while camping and had to replace them every year or two due to leaks or punctures. This fall friends and I spent a night in the Sierras where the temperature dropped to below 20 degreees farenheight, even with a level of blankets on top of the air mattress for insulation it was very cold. I'm hoping the Downmat will provide enough support to be comfortable, and at the same time provide much better insulation. I will be posting a review after it's first use.

- Matt



http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf/b43HomePageE?openframeset

I've been using the same DLX matt for several years now including once on snow. You will be blown away by the comfort! The trick is not to over inflate it though. Most comfortable for me when I lay on it an let air down to a floaty amount. In fact at this amount of air it seems grossly under inflated when you poke your finger/hand into it as a test.

 

[paulj]

The modern air mattresses in standard home mattress sizes can be quite comfortable, are relatively cheap, are a bit heavy, but pack very well. It is best to inflate them in the tent or car where you will use them. The only field puncture that I've had occurred while carrying an inflated one to the tent, and brushing against a tree branch.

But these mattresses are cold. Air circulates freely, transported heat to the ground and to any exposed part of the mattress. In cool weather a fleece blanket over the mattress may provide enough insulation. It also conforms better to flexing of the mattress than foam.

There are also air mattresses aimed at the backpacking market. These are thinner (2-3"), lighter, and often pricier. For insulation they rely on foam on the outside, or down inside, or a layer of fleece on the inside. This style is my favorite.

Closed cell foam is a great thermal insulator. You rarely need more than 3/4" of good foam (Ensolite). But it does not provide much cushioning.

Thermarest etal. wrap open cell foam in an air tight shell. This gives insulation almost as good as closed cell foam, but with more padding. Plus they self inflate, and pack smaller than uncontained open cell foam. I don't think they are as comfortable as air mattresses, especially considering the relative cost.

 

[jh504]

I use foam every time. I have used air mattresses many times and I, personally, do not like them. In cold weather a foam pad will always be warmer than a standard air mattress. I have never been able to get warm sleeping with a large cushion of cold air undrneath me.

 

[Lynn]

Ditto the responses on air mattesses being cold due to heat transfer to the ground. (works in reverse if you have in-floor heat and put an air mattress on the floor for your guests. Keeps them from visiting for too long.)

A thermarest-type pad is probably the best for your situation.

The closed-cell pad is quite a bit warmer than an open-cell pad, by the way, but not as comfy.

For snow cave camping, I've slept cold on a thermarest, warm on a cheap closed cell pad, and warm and comfy on a thermarest stacked on top of a closed cell pad.

 

[rynosurf]

You know, I'm considering this. My wife is a JoAnn fabrics regular and can sew like nobody's business. I was thinking 3" high density, open cell foam

Just a heads up, if you sign up at Joann's they mail you 50% off coupons, it makes the foam a lot more affordable.

 

[paulj]

There are also shops that specialize in foam of all types and thicknesses. They may also make standard and custom covered pieces for home, RVs, and boats.

I have a small wedge shaped piece that I use to level of a car seat for storing gear at night, and several small pieces that serve as small but thick camping pillows.

The big downside to open cell foam is that it is bulky when not in use. For a semi permanent installation such as in a roof top tent, or the lid of a Wildernest campertop tent that is ok. But it may not be so good in the back of an SUV, whether stored flat or rolled up.

 

[Chriscanoe]

I would go with a Thermarest type sleep system over a air mattress hands down. I have both for my family for camping, but have personally only used the Thermarest type. Any time I laid down on the air bed the noise and discomfort gets me off of it pretty quick. Check out REI. They have some relatively inexpensive (compared to Thermarest) self inflating, 3" pads. I bought 2 for the wifey and myself, and love them. The great thing about a self inflating pad is you can regulate the firmness by adding more air.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Just a heads up, if you sign up at Joann's they mail you 50% off coupons, it makes the foam a lot more affordable.

Ohhh, I forgot about that. Thanks!

 

[Co-opski]

Paco Pads are nice for foam pads.

http://www.jpwinc.com/index.php?page=photo&photo_id=83


Just my $.02

 

[shahram]

I found something interesting about sleeping pads...I have tried a number of them, from a 1" thick closed cell foam roll-up, to a tri-fold 3" thick foam mattress, a 3/4 length Thermarest Guide (1.5" thick), and a Thermarest Deluxe Camplite (2.5" thick). None of them gave me a good night's sleep. My hip would always end up collapsing the foam, or the thermarest would not sufficiently hold my mid-section and some part of my body would ache all night and all the next day.

Then I lost about 55 lbs. I went from 275 lbs. to about 220 lbs. over a period of nine months.

Now, all my pads deliver a satisfactory night's rest. It seems that most sleeping pads are designed for a certain size and weight user, and that cross-section of humanity seems to be slighter in build! I couldn't figure it out at first, I kept thinking "Why am I getting such a better night's sleep now?" And then it dawned on me...try putting a 30+ lb. weight in the middle of your thermarest while you lay on it, and I guarantee you it will sag in the middle and your hip will be on the ground!

For those of you who are 250 lbs, or more, I'd suggest going with a really, REALLY thick mattress. Try Cabela's, as they seem to make stuff for bigger users. Big dudes tend to be bigger in some parts of their bodies than others (like their gut and MMM), so while their shoulders might not touch the ground on a deluxe thermarest, their midsections will. This means your hip and your lower back and your MMM on that little annoying rock all night.

So big boys: lose some weight, or get a super cushy 4"+ thick pad. Forget about the space you'll sacrifice. You'll be a lot happier in the morning.

 

[paulj]

REI just put their 3.5" self-inflating pad on clearance - less than $40

 

[Hilldweller]

Costco has a nifty memory foam topper pad that's 3" or 4" thick and comes with a nice cotton zip-off cover. Memory foam gets stiff below 40 degrees though --- not usually an issue if you're in an insulated environment.
We tried an air mattress in both ground tenting and in the Conqueror; I can't sleep on a cold balloon...

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

REI just put their 3.5" self-inflating pad on clearance - less than $40

THANKS! ORDERED!