Sleeping Pad/Mattress

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WhiskyJack

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Oct 19, 2008
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What do you bed down on in the bush?

Air Mattresses comfy are too heavy and dont provide enough insulation, and the cheap foam camping pads arent comfy enough on their own for my weak, soft, city back to get a good sleep.

How are the "self inflating" pads in terms of weight, insulation and comfort?
 
Take another look at the inflation matress selection. I was using a closed foam pad, then on to a self inflating thermarest. Those options might be a slight bit lighter, but much bulkier. I settled on a big agnes mummy shape inflating matress. No way i'd go back to either thermarest or closed foam unless on snow now. In really cold temps i might put the closed foam pad beneath my big agnes matress. My advice, don't just compare weight, but look at bulk, and for a good nights sleep i'd carry an extra few ounces worth of comfortable matress v.s. shaving a few ounces and wake up tired and sore. (The weight isn't much diffrent depending on which pad you are using)
 
I like the thermarest, or similar style pads. I have different ones for different things. Lighter, thinner one for carrying. Big, comfy one for car camping :D

While they do hold air, they are much warmer than an air only mat, because the foam inside does a good job of insulating.

The only complaint I have hear from people is them taking too long to self inflate. I honestly think that is a storage problem and not with the mat. The are supposed to be store unrolled. That is what I do with mine. Unrolled, and the vents open. You can stick them in a closet, under a bed, wherever. I just lay mine on top of all my other gear :D

Since I store mine that way, the inflate really quick when I actually use them.

No issues with mine yet.

B
 
tyuio said:
Take another look at the inflation matress selection. I was using a closed foam pad, then on to a self inflating thermarest. Those options might be a slight bit lighter, but much bulkier. I settled on a big agnes mummy shape inflating matress. No way i'd go back to either thermarest or closed foam unless on snow now. In really cold temps i might put the closed foam pad beneath my big agnes matress. My advice, don't just compare weight, but look at bulk, and for a good nights sleep i'd carry an extra few ounces worth of comfortable matress v.s. shaving a few ounces and wake up tired and sore. (The weight isn't much diffrent depending on which pad you are using)
Click to expand...

Glad to hear you like the Big Agnes mattress ~ I just bought a Big Angnes insulated air mattress for my Big Agnes sleeping bag. Have been using a thermarest foam pad, which I like for the reliability and insulation, but not the size.
 
I have a Big agnes insulated air core mattress - it's pretty comfortable, and packs smaller than a 1 liter nalgene bottle.
 
I've used an old green closed-cell foam Z-Rest for the last decade or so and have found little reason to spend the money on a self-inflater. Mine is cheap, comfortable, light and short of dropping it into a roaring fire, indestructable. The only thing is has going against it is that it's kinda bulky. If I'm not carrying too much stuff, I put it inside my Arcteryx Bora 80 in a tube shape and put my gear in the middle. If I'm carrying more, it gets strapped to the outside. It's fine on rocky, root-filled ground and keeps my rear warm on chilly nights in my hammock. It's also used inside a camp chair when I'm looking for a little extra comfort. I can't say enough good about it.
 
I'm another happy Thermarest user.

One thing I'll add is if it's very cold when you're camping you want a closed cell pad, either alone or under the Thermarest. An inflatable pad will let the cold from the ground seep up while a closed cell will block it.
 
I also like the Themarest. I use the 3/4 length backpacker model and it packs up pretty small.
 
I use an Exped Downmat 9 DLX and a Wiggys Superlight FTRS.

The mat is down-filled, 3 inches thick, and 26 inches wide. Luxury in the bush. Easily packable and will never go back.

B
 
I used to buy Thermarest but I've had some problems with them in recent years and have switched to other brands. I still like the air/foam concept.

DancesWithKnives
 
thermalite z lite. it won't pop, you can sit on it against rocks like a recliner, it doubles as my pack frame.
Picture217.jpg

thermarestzlite.jpg
 
+1 for therma-rest. I use a shorty one forsize/weight savings. My legs don't need to be cushioned.
 
I use an Insulmat insulated air mattress. It weighs the same as my standard thermarest, but is so much more comfortable. The insulation works reasonably well. I have used it on snow before, and, although it was not quite as warm as my thermarest, it was by no means cold. For three season use it is great.
 
thermarest ultralite 3/4 here also.
3/4'' thick, 3/4 length, and about 20'' wide.
My back is only 22 years old, but it treats me well.
I'd imagine the thicker ones are pretty plush for sleeping on!
Packs a bit smaller than a 1L nalgene.
 
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I have several I use depending on the conditions and my mood...plus I'm a dealer of wild gear and we are also a full time school so I can benefit from distributor's samples and trying gear at dealer cost on the company's nickle. Also we allow student's to use this gear so they can try before they buy and we learn from their experiences also:

My oldest modern type pad is a very worn and well used Thermalrest Pro Lite 3. I bought it as mil surplus and it is barely adequate in colder conditions as the R factor is only 1.4 or so. When I wake up my hips and back are toast and some days it is all I can do to pack up and continue on. It is retired and available for emergencies.

For colder conditions I'm extremely pleased with the Exped Down 7 as the R factor is over 5. I've slept on snow and ice in sub zero blizzard conditions and stayed very warm and no hip/back issues. Very nice sleep! My only complaint is the inflation system...it works but is slow - very slow. The valves can be problematic on my model but I've learned the secret and after two miserable nights because it leaked air I've finally figured it out. Learning curve on this one - in my experience. This matt rocks! But you've got to work through some of the persnicity issues with this one.

I also have a Big Agnes insulated air matt and use it with my Lost Ranger 15 + and it is almost as good as the Exped but I only use this bag in moderate weather. I really like their matt as it works very well and less issues than the Exped.

My new "fav" is the Thermal-a-rest Women's Trail Pro model in woody green- yea that's right a "women's" model! So hear me out...the reason is the Women's model is slightly smaller than the mens (smaller = less weight and smaller to pack), yet it is warmer. As we know Women generally run colder than guys so the women's models are packed with more more insulation in them in key areas like the shoulders, hips, and stomach area. The R factor is almost as good as the Exped, less inflation issues and small/lightweight. Plus it comes in a very stealthy Wild approprate color rather than some truity fruity orange or whatever.
 
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Big Agnes mattresses can be a real bitch to blow up when you've just finished huffing and puffing your way up the mountain to the shelter-- but at least you'll have the best mattress to pass out on! I used to use an Exped down mat but the plastic valves fail too easily. The brass valve on the Big Agnes mats don't have that problem. Check out the Primaloft filled dual core. They're good down to 20 degrees (for the warm sleeper). I'm going to continue to use my Big Agnes at least until the new thermarest 4 season inflatable comes out this Spring. Although, the $150 price tag for a somewhat lighter inflatable is likely to keep me comfy with the slightly heavier dual core. Besides, if it is expected to be below freezing, I won't use anything but a closed cell foam pad like the Z-lite.
 
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