Sleeping pads: inflatable or not?

I had bad luck with the Thermarests but have used a number of other brands with better success. The Cabela's inflatables are pretty sturdy and reasonably priced for car camping type applications.

DancesWithKnives
 
Regarding the Closed cell, I wonder if you could buy 2 and glue extra padding in the rough spots? (Cutting one up to pad the other....)
 
Regular inflatables (pool floats) are just a big bag of air and don't provide any real insulation. Many of these tend to leak throughout the night, too!

Self Inflating pads, like Thermarest, use open cell foam inside an air-tight envelope. You can squeeze the air out to pack and carry, and then reinflate when you reach camp. Carry a patch kit as a leak will seriously reduce their usability.

Insulated air mattresses like the Big Agnes or Exped fill the chambers with insulation. These are the best of the best, but they cost a LOT.

Foam mats, are usually closed cell foam or may be a combination of open and closed cell foam. They have the virtue that they can't spring a leak, and they provide excellent insulation, but they don't really compress and don't generally provide as much comfort as other options.

-- FLIX
 
I use an inflatable - the insulmat insulated air mattress. I'm a side sleeper, and even the standard thermarest doesn't work for me (and the plain foam pads are worthless for me). Once I got this insulmat, I'll never go back. It is so much more comfortable. I have used mine for three years now with no leaks. I have used it on snow, and it is still reasonably warm (although not as warm as my standard thermarest).

The insulated air mattresses don't cost any more than the fancy models from thermarest. Mine cost me $54, and weighs 1.5 lb.
 
lambertiana said:
I use an inflatable - the insulmat insulated air mattress. I'm a side sleeper, and even the standard thermarest doesn't work for me (and the plain foam pads are worthless for me). Once I got this insulmat, I'll never go back. It is so much more comfortable. I have used mine for three years now with no leaks. I have used it on snow, and it is still reasonably warm (although not as warm as my standard thermarest).

The insulated air mattresses don't cost any more than the fancy models from thermarest. Mine cost me $54, and weighs 1.5 lb.
Click to expand...

lambertiana, which one of their products are you using?
 
Self inflatable all the way for me. I had a big agnes that I had to spend 3 or 4 minutes blowing up every time. It was not a big deal - but for the same weight (sacrificing a little R factor) I have a self inflator.

Can I make a suggestion?

http://www.rei.com/product/722782

I own this one - it is very nice and the closeout price is amazing on this one.

I hope this does not count as deal spotting. I would have made the suggestion despite the price.

Don't ban me bro!

TF

p.s. I disagree with Flix. Dead airspace is what provides insulation. If you look at the inflatable Big Agnes (which simply has some baffles to stop the air from circulating) it has a higher R value than a self inflator. If you take a closed cell pad of the same thickness as a self inflator - the self inflator will have a great R-Value. Why? Loft due to air.

I guess we will have to fight at the bike rack after school now. ;)
 
Thanks for pointing those out as I have a Therma-rest Basecamp regular and have been needing a different pad. I got the 3.5" REI thats on closeout. I think it will do great.
 
if your around my age (23) and dont care too much about cushy comfort id go with the z lite...or in winter a zlite and ridgerest combined...thats alot of bulk in padding but weighs about half what a self inflator would and at 1/4 the price... but i also never tried a down inflatable matt
 
I use the self inflating ones. I put mine on a cot for most of my camping. When you get older, it's harder to get up off the ground.:o It's nice to set up on the edge of the cot.:D


Thanks for posting that one on sale, that looks like a darn good deal. I think I paid about 60.00 each for the ones I have now.:thumbup:
 
Bigdumplings,

Good point---I was much better able to tolerate thin padding at your age---despite the fact that my body is now better padded!

I have a Z-Rest folding pad and have used it a few times. I've found that you can achieve a moderate degree of comfort if you spend more time preparing your sleeping area. For example, side sleepers may find it more comfortable to excavate a small depression for their hips so that they get less pressure on them.

The Z-Rest makes a nice back pad for my Go Lite Gust pack when folded only half way. Keeps any pointy stuff from poking my back.

DancesWithKnives
 
Talfuchre, I saw the sale on the REI pad and was definitely considering it as a cheaper alternative to the Therm-a-rest.

For me, I find when sleeping on a hard surface that sleeping on my stomach is the way to go. I'm a side sleeper now, but when I use to sleep on the wood plank, I remember sleeping on my stomach was the most comfortable. I think its easier to go from side sleeping to stomach sleeping than it is from side to back.
 
I'm using thermarest and it's got puncture right now... sigh .
Maybe I'm handling too rough but I'm quite tired of getting puncture of this sleeping pad.

When it gets failed to inflate, I'll take of my sweater, fleece jacket and with
climbing rope and backpack I lie on them.
In this case, the pad is rolled and works as a pillow. A self-deflatable expensive pillow.
 
With the rock and root infested ground I used to sleep on, I went for a Z-Rest many years ago. It's held up very well, is light, cheap and comfortable. The only drawback I've found is that it's bulky.

I've also gone hammock a few years back and the Z-Rest works there too when the temps drop under 40*F.
 
For winer camping, I use the Exped DAM (Down Air Mat) and they work great. Lots of insulation mand very comfortable. I have a therma rest for the summer.
 
fujita,

In addition to troubles like overly frequent punctures and seam failures, I've also had problems with Thermarest valves giving out. Sorry to hear about your difficulties with that pad.

DancesWithKnives
 
I like the closed cell foam pads. They cost less and can take a lot of abuse. If you take a break and want to sit on it, you don't have to worry about it. I've stretched out on a rocky river bank with no worries.

Most of all they are light and warm. The downside is they can be bulky.

I've found several RidgeRest pads at garage sales and thrift stores for ~$2 each :)
 
Hey ZTH, lots of good advise and tips here, I went through this a couple of years ago the folks here really helped out. For what you need it sounds like a closed cell/foam type pad is what you want. I suggest not getting a cheapie (as in wally world special) they will tear and disintegrate on you fast, but you don't have to break the bank, as the links the guys gave you are nice!

You asked about the R-value/rating, it is a number you add to the temperature rating of your bag, so if your bag is rated at 0 and your pad has a R-4 rating, bag and pad together are now rated -4 (minus 4).

Understand "bag" ratings are with pads+liners+clothing so the average rating is varied, from plus or minus 10-20 degrees! (better numbers "truth" with better companies) who knows about pad makers/companies! but you get the idea. They have closed cell pads/foam from 1/2 inch to 3 inches thick (that I've seen) and of course the thicker the better R value, so I'd suggest something "around" 1 inch, 3/4 min.

Good luck and let us know what you get and how it works!
 
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