Sleeping Pad? What do you use?

jackman2

jackman2

Joined
Feb 3, 2010
Messages
590
I am in the market for a decent sleeping pad. I want something that rolls up relatively small, but doesn't have to be tiny. Was thinking I would strap it to the outside of the pack. Right now I have a giant Cabelas one and I would like to go smaller. Also don't want to spend a fortune, but I am willing to pay for a decent one. And I'd like it to be relatively tough. I feel like some of those super fancy small ones could pop and then you are out of luck.

I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
 
I use a two part system consisting of a thermarest pro-lite and a small chunk of a closed cell foam pad from walmart.

The thermarest is self inflating, full length (it is tapered at the feet), and easy to adjust the amount of air for a goods night rest. It has been super sturdy and rolls up really small, maybe 10"-12" long and 7"ish in diameter.

The closed cell foam came from walmart and I use it under my hips at night for a little extra padding. It is also great to throw on the ground for a quick sit. I cut off about a 3' piece for the sleeping pad and made a cozy for freezer bag cooking out of the rest. If you are not familiar with freezer bag cooking I recommend you check it out, trailcooking.com.
 
Thermarest Dream Time. It is the best (by a large margin) pad in the world for comfort and insulation. Drawbacks: bulky. But not bulky enough to stop me from carrying it out! Plus it doubles as an extra bed when company comes, or you go visit. The comfort is really unrivaled.
 
I've had a Therma-Rest for years. Compared to the old ensolite foam pad I used to use, it's like sleeping on a bed. Well, not really. I got a thin 3/4 length one for backpacking to save weight and space. But, the bottom half of my legs rest on the cold, hard ground.

So, I wussed out for car camping and bought a thicker, full length one from REI. Real comfort there. Still not cheap, but cheaper than the Therma-Rests, which are pricey. Both came with an emergency patch kit. I like the metal valve on my Therma-Rest better than the plastic valve on my REI pad.

Both have never gotten punctured, and I use them a lot. But, I'm careful with my equipment.
 
+1 on the Therma-Rest. I have had one for about twenty years and it has never popped or torn. I use a 3'X5' canvas groundsheet under it to protect from stones and sharp twigs etc.

Therma Rests are top quality equipment. Pay a little more and get the best quality you can afford. Nothing worse than gear that lets you down :) in the middle of nowhere.

Plenty of different sizes and weights to consider and choose for your needs.
 
How big are the Therma rest pads? My cabelas one is like 8" diameter rolled up. Thats pretty big. What are prices like for 3-4" diameter, rolled up one? What specific models are they? The Therma rest website has tons and it is hard to guage size.

Thanks for all of the responses.
 
Mine is a "base camp" "luxury" (fell length) version. I just pulled it out of the cupboard and measured it rolled at 7 inches diameter. Big for backpacking, but I stow it on a motorcycle or carry in a vehicle.

I would guess that the 3/4 version would roll down to about 5" diameter, and the non inflatable ones even smaller.

Half the fun of buying this sort of stuff is hanging round the adventure stores, shooting the breeze and playing with the store stock. Nothing like seeing the real item rather than an online picture.
 
A therma-rest. Don't know which model but its about 4-5 inches diameter when rolled up. Full length to.
 
Ya I guess I'll take a trip down to the store and check them out. I'd like an inflatable one. Was worried about them getting punctured, but it sounds like they hold up pretty well.
 
Had many years of service from a Thermarest 3/4 Guidelite. The one time I thought it was busted, the valve must have not been closed all the way, because it's been fine since.
Reverted to a lighter Z-Lite small last year, but it was never very comfortable, and even bulkier than the old model self-inflater.
Just got a Big Agnes Air Core last week, and it is very comfortable, and much more compact, but I can't speak to durability-have only slept on it at home the last several days.
 
I have an REI pad that self inflates to 3.5" and is a bit over 6' long and 31" wide. It weighs 6.75 lbs and is by far the heaviest piece of gear in my backpack rig. But, I can sleep on a rock bed with it. I am to old and fat to be sleeping on hard ground
 
I have 3 - all inflatable. The closed-cell foam ones are tough and cheaper, but they do nothing for me comfort wise as I'm a side sleeper.

For trips where I can carry a bit more volume and want some extra comfort/warmth, I have a EXPED Downmat 9. It's expensive, but very very warm [R8] and extremely comfortable.

For trips when I want a superlight load and less volume [e.g. climbing trips], I have a Thermarest Neoair. Again, very comfortable [2.5" thick inflated], warm [R2.5], and compresses to the size of a smaller water bottle. It weighs 13 oz.

I also have an old school design Thermarest Prolite. It's a good mattress and very reliable, but it's low on the performance scale compared to the other two. It's also the toughest theoretically, but incidentally, I holed it on the first trip out. It's also the most versatile, but it's also very bulky.

The Neoair is my goto mat now. Yes, it's delicate, but I hate bulk and excess weight. If you hole it, you're hooped, but you can bring some "tenacious tape" or similar product to do a quick field repair [weight would be negligible].

Perhaps a foam-based Thermarest inflatable would be your best choice. Maybe look for one with a higher denier outer fabric. I sold a thermarest from 1993 last year and the thing was tougher than nails, but it was heavy and bulky.
 
I normally put an old German Bundeswehr poncho on the ground, on top of that I put a sheep fur which has really long and fluffy hair. This is warm enough for nights down to -10°C. I have to admit I never slept outside in temperatures below that.

--

maethor
 
If you only intend to use it in Spring/Summer/Fall, the Thermarest "Neo Air" is about as small as you'll find.

If you intend to be out in the middle of Winter and the mercury really drops low, the warmest I've found is the Exped Downmat 9-Deluxe.

Both will drop a jaw or two in terms of price tag but I think the comfort they offer is worth it.
 
Big Agnes Insulated Air Core. Thick and comfy (2.5") at a reasonable price ($65 +/-). It is not self-inflating but does roll up quite small, 4" x 12". It weighs 1# 10 ounces. I use a Walmart blue closed-cell foam pad under it during very cold weather.
 
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