Sleeping Pad

R

revolverman357

Joined
Jan 30, 2007
Messages
244
Can someone recommend a good, comfortable sleeping pad for under my sleeping bag. I would like to keep it under 80 dollars if possible.
Either self inflating or blow up, doesn't matter to me.

Thanks.
 
I have bought several from www.cabelas.com recently. I find them to be sturdier and more reliable than the Thermarests. My friends and I have had a couple problems with those.

DancesWithKnives
 
A lot depends on if you are car camping or backpacking. Thermarest upper end models are a great if you are "humping" you stuff in harsh terrain. If you are car camping, cheap foam works well and is cheap enough to toss when you get it dirty.
 
Good point. I have several of those eggcrate pieces of foam they use on hospital beds. They are comfy and have lasted a long time. Of course, having a pickup with a camper shell is handy for transporting because several of them can be a bit bulky.

DancesWithKnives
 
Sleeping pad selection may depend on where and when you plan to camp. I use an insulated pad for winter and an uninsulated pad for summer. There are some trade offs for durability and comfort that you want to consider. Try reading some threads on this website; backpacker.com
 
http://www.rei.com/product/763896

I use this one. It is $95 at REI, and may be cheaper elsewhere online. For backpacking I think it is great. 27 ounces, nalgene bottle sized, and amazingly comfortable. Warnings: it takes me about 25 deep breaths to fill up, and may squeak on tent floor.

I think the Thermorest Prolites are pretty good pads too.
 
For winter backpacking, you can't beat an Exped DownAir matress. Cabelas now sells them. They are pretty expensive though. I've used mine for 4 years now with no problems and a good nights sleep is priceless.
 
It may be less important to others, but I've bought the 'long' size on pads every time so far, and havn't been sorry. In fact, overbuilt sleeping gear in general never made me mad yet.
 
I am using a Thermarest self inflating sleeping pad for about 9 years now without problems. It's a good sleeping pad, but the cheapest Thermarest sleeping pad at a local outdoor store costs 90 euro's, which is about 135 US dollars. It is one of the most popular sleeping pads here.
 
Camping gear (and a lot of other stuff too) in Europe is a LOT more expensive then it is in the USA.

Camping gear is easy to see the true cost difference because unlike clothing, you can compare exactly the same items. The one thing I found in the Netherlands that was cheaper were the Silva windproof lighters. :)

Thermarest Pro-lite pads are in the price range you noted but, the lower end Thermarest pads are lot cheaper. If fact, I got my small Pro-lite for $50 during last Christmas.
 
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