questions about sleep pads

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brward

Joined
Apr 9, 2012
Messages
69
All,

Im in a bit of a pickle. I have never used anything more than the gi issued sleeping pad. I know there are much better ones out now, but am having a problem deciding on which one. I am usually a side sleeper, so will need something thicker than 1 inch. My problem is, i want to buy it once and done. Something bombproof, but comfortable, and not too heavy. i dont mind paying the penalty in price or weight as long as its something i wont have to buy over and over again.

Heres what i am kind of looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/Large-Paco-Sl...=UTF8&qid=1428678258&sr=1-1&keywords=paco+pad

It would be great if i could just buy any pad and put a thick cover like the outside of this one over it, but in all my searching i havent found anything. Does anyone here have any thoughts or suggestions on this?
 
I've used a Big Agnes insulated Aircore for several years and couldn't be happier. Might want to look at their offerings too.
 
I personally am partial to the Therm-a-Rest Neo-Air Xtherm. On the pricier side, but super durable and you can get one for your size keeping it compact at about a pound or so for weight especially given its R rating of 5.7. A dream compared to the 25+years I spent with only a wool blanket as a ground cloth.
 
I'm really impressed with rei brand. My wife and I have something like 2 3/4 thick pads. Hers is rei and mine is thermarest. I prefer hers. Much easier to work with and just as durable so far.
 
brward said:
I think i found my answer guys, little heavy, but ill be strapping it to the bottom of my pack or on the top or side of my filbe, so dont think it will be too bad. Plus with ll beans lifetime warranty, cant go wrong. Price is great too! Thanks for all your help!

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/7743...h-plus-cot&attrValue_0=Blue&productId=1286005
Click to expand...

I used a military surplus version. Quite comfortable.

I am sure you are aware that this cot provides no insulation for the areas where you squeeze the air out of your bedding, Don't lose the GI foam pad.
 
That is really heavy to be carrying, either the cot, or the mat. And as Thomas has mentioned, cots can be very cold if you don't also use some foam on them. I'm a big fan of thermarest mats, I own several self inflating ones, and will be looking to get an even lighter one for occasional use (I hammock, and don't need a ground mat anymore, but it is a required bit of kit for some of my work) you should be looking at 3.5 pounds as a max.

best way to buy a mat is instore. The very best is to lay down on a bunch of rope, or a "knot board" to simulate uneven ground. Some people find that they need a certain thickness, or can get away without it. For me, I can generally do with just a 3/4 pad, but I also own a big mat (thermarest basecamp large, half the price and weight of that paco) for when I don't have to carry it.

To break it down, you have three basic types of mats. Plain foam, these you know. Self inflating (foam core, air-tight shell) these use the foam to inflate and for insulation, and you are supported by the air. Heavy, but they last a long time and are warm.
lastly, inflatable mats. These can be very light, and up until recently were very cold. now they have reflective coatings inside that help trap the heat, where before, they just conducted your heat straight into the ground. Lighter, but more fiddly and not as good for those who roll around a lot.
outdoor gear lab has some very good writeups on the different types, and you can see generally what you will be wanting to look for.
 
I have done a lot of backpacking with the cheap 1/2" thick ethofoam pads you can buy for this. (Not the foam rubber pads that squash to paper thin.) My wife is a little more sensitive and always used a standard Thermarest pad. The Thermarest is more comfortable but also heavier and much more expensive. Now they are available in different thicknesses. The thing about Thermarest is that you only need it to go down to about your knees so maybe you can buy a shorter one if you are carrying it on a pack.
 
bdmicarta said:
I have done a lot of backpacking with the cheap 1/2" thick ethofoam pads you can buy for this. (Not the foam rubber pads that squash to paper thin.) My wife is a little more sensitive and always used a standard Thermarest pad. The Thermarest is more comfortable but also heavier and much more expensive. Now they are available in different thicknesses. The thing about Thermarest is that you only need it to go down to about your knees so maybe you can buy a shorter one if you are carrying it on a pack.
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I have used a shortie Thermorest in warm weather. In cold weather, I need insulation below the knees so Shortie stays home.
 
While i agree with alot of you points on the mats gadget geek, i am scared to death of spending alot of money only to be left with a pop or puncture to the air mats. I live in springfield,mo, and you would think with having the bass pro headquarters here that they would have an extensive amount of pads, and a way to test them out. They seriously had like 5, and none were open so that i could lay on them and test out. I went to 3 stores tonight, bass pro,academy, as well as a huge military surplus store that usually has the military thermarest pads for like 30 bucks. Academy had a couple that were open, i think they were the thermarest scout in small and large, and as soon as i laid on it, i could hear the air escaping from the top, with the valve closed. I know that i am rather large at 5'10 and 220, but still, this was a concern. I am going to go to a small local climbing/camping shop tomorrow and see what they have as well, as after some of the reviews i read said a person of my size kind of sinks in the middle and can end up being uncomfortable as well. I bought 2 of those cots, one for my son and me, so if nothing else i will send mine back and get a mat.
 
I have this one rolled up in my camp bag and absolutely love it:

http://www.rei.com/product/810386/therm-a-rest-ridgerest-solite-sleeping-pad

440


In the winter time, the reflective properties help but isn't quite enough. I use this in conjunction with my bag:

http://www.rei.com/product/407106/space-all-weather-blanket

440


The pad goes on the ground, the blanket between my sleeping bag and the pad. very efficient way to preserve body heat in the cold.

I like mine a lot, which appears to be a lighter version of this one:

http://www.rei.com/product/829826/therm-a-rest-z-lite-sol-sleeping-pad

440


Your choice.
 
Personally, I would never consider carrying 7 or 8 lbs of something to sleep on. My tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag and backpack don't even weigh that much combined. Maybe you are car camping or not backpacking far, so the weight is not your top priority.

Here are a couple suggestions to show you what I do use.

I double up on a Nightlight Sleeping Pad (google it). I fold them one extra time and one fits in the top of my pack and one strapped on the outside top of my pack. I use that easy access one for a sit pad every time I take a break. I think they weigh about 7oz together.

Winter time I do go with a heavier sleeping pad. It is an insulated air mat. Google "downmat 9". It is more comfortable than a Hampton Inn bed to me. I only carry it in the winter though because it weighs just over two pounds.
I have set up on ice with it though and slept warm.

I get along fine with these two for year round backpacking. I don't even look at other sleeping pads anymore, but have bought and used many others.

Good luck to ya. :)
 
The first one [ridgerest] weighs less than a pound and a half and the blanket about equal weight. So in essence , the combination [less the sleeping bag] is roughly only 3 pounds total.
 
Bass pro is more for guys who might use their gear once a year in a cabin. Anywho, most of the top companies offer very effective patch kits (I've heard of some patches lasting over a decade.
 
Just to explain an old old method

You carry a toilet trowel?
Dig a socket for your hips.


Then a regular closed cell 200.g mat works wonders
 
neeman said:
Just to explain an old old method

You carry a toilet trowel?
Dig a socket for your hips.


Then a regular closed cell 200.g mat works wonders
Click to expand...

I would certainly agree but I usually make myself a raised platform to sleep on unless I'm in an actual tent. If I'm in a tent, I'll gather whatever "soft material" I can find and make a 6-8" thick "bed" under the tent floor. Moss, ferns, soft 'peat' type soil....is really good for that.
 
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