Sleeping Pads

[Brian McVickers]

Ok, For those of you who still sleep on the ground in a tent and use a sleeping pad:

What do you like better and why, a self inflating pad or an air core pad?

Self inflating are usually 1-1.5 inches thick and are primarily foam. Air Core are usually 2-3 inches thick and have air chambers.

Thanks
Brian

 

[Scott Brady]

The Outback Sleeping pad the Extreme Outback provided for the Rally is the most comfy I have found. In addition, the cover is thick, which should help reduce punctures. There is a review around here somewhere...

 

[Scott Brady]

Here is the review: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=802

I have a bunch of pictures and have started a review for Expeditions West. Not quite finished, but I will post here when done

 

[Brian McVickers]

Wow, Self Inflating to 4" that is pretty rare!

 

[Ursidae69]

I have the XL thermarest from Sportsman's Warehouse and it makes the few times I do sleep on the ground a good experience.

 

[datrupr]

I have a coleman tha I normally use, when I can find it. It is about 4" thick and has held up failrly well over the years. On the other hand though, It has not had a lot of use so it is hard to give it a good or bad review. It is pretty comfy though and very good when Colettte comes on camping trips as she is not keen with sleeping on the hard ground likes a softer bed. But on the few times we have used it it has help up fairly well.

 

[paulj]

I've used Thermarests for years; even slept on the thicker Camprests at home. Then I tried the full size air mattresses. A double fits fine in a '4 man' tent. I prefer the delux Intex models over Coleman; they are stiffer. I like to use a 12v pump to inflate them. I also like to use a 12v battery pack so I can do inflation in the tent. Inflating a mattress within reach of the car's power, and then carrying it into the tent exposes it to scratches from trees.

However for sleeping in my Element I need something narrower, since the overall width is more like 40". An 'air pad' (backpacker's air mattress) works well. My wife like her's full inflated. I like mine softer, so it supports my contours when sleeping on my side.

Here's the REI page for this category: http://www.rei.com/online/store/Cat...catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&seq=11&sort=1

Least expensive is the Insul Mat X-Lite Compact. These work well, though one of mine developed a slow leak after several months of continued use at home.

In cold weather this mattress is too cold, since the air inside cools down (from both the ground below and the air outside). The Max-thermo model has a bit of insulation under the top fabric. Others put some down or other loose insulation inside to make them usable in cooler weather (such as some Big Agnes models, Exped DownMat, and Stephenson DAM).

I also got an Exped Foam air mat on sale
http://www.backcountry-equipment.com/sleeping_pads/exped_foamairmattress.php
This puts an air mattress inside a thin foam sleeve, either of which could be used by itself.

There are regular threads on mattresses like this on http://backpacking.net/bbs.html , a lightweight backpacking forum. As backpackers get older, they appreciate the extra cushioning they can get from these air mattresses.

These backpacking air mattresses can be inflated by mouth, though I prefer to use a small hand pump.

paulj

 

[goodtimes]

I use a 1.5" thermarest. It serves both jeep camping and backpacking duties. 1.5" thick is plenty if you clear out the rocks and sticks under the tent (which you should do anyway to preserve the floor). Of course, I sleep pretty well when I toss my sleeping bag onto a boulder....so what I find comfortable may not be a good point of reference. I suggest you go try them out. I know REI will let you inflate them and lay down on them (actually, they probably have one of each already inflated, waiting for you to test), and some other places may let you do the same if you don't like to support REI (who, BTW, supports groups that are actively trying to shut down motorized OHV travel--which is why I don't like to shop there).

 

[HenryJ]

I have been using a couple of the Stearns self inflating sleeping pads for our camping. They are a four compartment pad. The attached pillow/head pad must be inflated manually.
They are 21" wide and 75" long. They have served us well and have never needed repair. I like the triple compartment self inflators. They air up quickly and allow different pressures for shoulders, hips and legs. They roll up into a nice small package.

I recently found out that there are double wide self inflating pads available. Trail-Gear had an excellent price
These pads take a much longer time to inflate. They are a single compartment with soft foam interior. I like the brass valve for inflation. The pads are wider and longer. The single measures 78"x25" and the double is 78"x57".

The double pad is two compartments. This would allow it to be folded lengthwise for a double thick sleeping pad. That is something I had not considered before making the purchase.

Right now I am still basking in the glory of being treated so well by the Trail-Gear Inc. customer support. My impressions of the product may be biased right now, but I really like them so far.

Sleeping comfort is one of my "special things". I allow it to take up more space and weight. Comfort while sleeping is a luxury item and not subject to the same size and weight limits I set for other gear, within reason. The new pads appear to be about 25% larger when bagged.

I have not packed these yet, nor have I slept on them. the 1.5" thickness has always bee enough pad since I pack a big thick Coleman bag. I will say the extra three inches of width will be nice, as will having a double wide pad. I wasn't crazy about the inflated head pad on the Stearns. The Trail-Gear pad looks to be a wonderful improvement. All pads came with a repair kit, straps and a storage bag.

I store my pads and bags opened up and laid out. This limits the crushing of foam and fibers to the time packed and transported.

At this point I would say that the Trail-Gear sleeping pads are a very good "bang for the buck" if you have the room, get the double wide pad. It would be nice to have the option of wider or thicker if needed. Even for a single adult.

 

[7wt]

I ordered a Big Agnes Zirkel and a Big Agnes air core pad along with a Seedhouse SL2 and footprint. I have heard nothing but great stuff from the Big Agnes line of pads so I figured I'd give one a try.

 

[HenryJ]

We camped on the Trail-Gear Inc. self inflating sleeping pads last night. Just a backyard sleep out, but a nice quick test of the pads.

I do like the double. At no time did I find myself off the pad during the night. The material is slick enough to be brushed clean easily, yet not so slick that the bag slides around on it.
My wife prefers the single chamber design to our old pads.
I did inflate the pad a little more by blowing into the open valve. This made them a little firmer. I let some air out so that the double would fold in half without stressing the seams. Once laid out I should have added a little more air to my side before bed time. Mine was perhaps a little soft. Not enough that I wanted to add more during the night, but just something I noticed the next morning as it felt like my hip was bottoming out the cushion. My wife and son were happy with theirs just the way they were.

I am 6' and 200 lbs. The length is really good and the width as well.

I think they are a very good value. From what little research I have done they are 1/3 to 1/2 or less than the cost of other pads.

 

[jkam]

Sevylor CMR20 camping mattress. Rubberized cotton like the old military ones.
Very durable, doesn't get as cold as the vynal ones and has a built in pillow.
I've had mine for 6 years of 150 nights a year camping and it's as good as new.
Bonus is, it's only about $27.
http://www.sevylor.com/camping.html

 

[offroad_nomad]

Brian,

Are you car camping or hiking? If you're car camping and a bulky sleeping pad isn't an issue, pick up some foam from your local G Street Fabrics, arts & crafts supplier or sewing shop. I bought some nice 4" foam padding really cheap and it has held up for a couple of years. I'll need to replace it soon, but for less then $15 it's a great alternative. Mine will strap down and compress to about 9" x 24". Unrolled and uncompressed it's 72" x 24" x 4".

I also have two air mattresses which I use in my larger 6 man tent.

 

[Bergger]

I agree with Scott on the Outback Sleeping pad, looks to be the best out there. I had one ordered but they have been on back order for a long time. I needed something so I went to Gander Mountain and picked up two of thier 4" Guide Series self inflating pads for $79 each. I love them. Very comfortable and at 4" you can't feel anything under them.

 

[beemerchef]

I ordered a Big Agnes Zirkel and a Big Agnes air core pad along with a Seedhouse SL2 and footprint. I have heard nothing but great stuff from the Big Agnes line of pads so I figured I'd give one a try.

Big Agnes is awesome... been using it for years... have the 10 degree bag and the 0 degree pad... I don't know what they have done but... can I say it is more comfortable than the one at home... even though I paid 4 times more!
The great advantage, if I can sneak in the word sleeping bag also, is that the pad slips into the bottom of the sleeping bag (sleeve), the bag of course takes half the space of a regular bag when put away... and NO MORE rolling off the bag when sleeping...

It is the best... in my book anyhow... be well... Ara