Sleeping pads: inflatable or not?

I think it really depends on your style of camping.

I had a thermarest fail on me at a very bad time, I don't want to deal with them now unless I'm in a very controlled environment where I know I won't get it punctured.

For me, I would go with foam, not as nice/comfortable, but it's not going to fail.
 
I use a thermarest z lite. I never have to worry about it puncturing and I sit on it like a recliner everywhere. it's great when the ground is cold too.
fncold.jpg
 
I used to use the blue ensolite mats, but man, after one 10-day mountaineering trip where I slept on a lot of rock surfaces, I just said no more.

Now I use a thermarest Prolite 4...I am MUCH happier. I got one for my gf as well, and she REALLY likes it.

As long as I keep them away from fires they seem to be pretty puncture-resistant!
 
I have thick and thin self-inflating and thick and thin closed cell pads.

If I'm car camping, the thermarest goes down first with a closed-cell RidgeRest on top of it. Yes-- the closed cell Ridge Rest goes on top. I don't know why, but this set-up is incredibly comfortable.

For backpacking, I have a light (and more fragile) 48" Thermarest backpacking model. I think it's 16 oz. or so. I also carry a very thin (1/4") closed-cell pad that weighs almost nothing. It goes UNDER the more fragile self-inflating pad to protect it, and to add a tiny bit more insulation and comfort. If I do spring a leak in the night, I still have something between me and the cold ground.

When I was much younger, closed cell pads were fine. Now I'm a sissy. :)
 
You want a durable sleeping pad, get the Thermarest "toughskin" which basically has a layer of foam before the inflation portion of the pad. Says you can lay down on almost any surface and be sure to know that it wont puncture. Don't quote me on that though.

Downside? Pad is THICK and HUGE compared to their ultralight ones. Doesn't compact easy either. I would almost think that its better to bring a patch kit than that huge thing sometimes :(
 
Once, my ice-axe penetrated rolled thermarest completely.
Well, happy with my ax cuts well but not that expensive pad.

DanceWithKnives, I fortunately have not seen valve failure personally but
a buddy of mine did that, which was a overturn of the plug ( or cap? I don't know).
It happened after dinner and some drink. I cannot forget his face when he overturned it.
 
Been looking at the Thermarest Z-lite (the egg-carton looking closed cell one) and it looks perfect (albeit a little large), however I have some concerns about durability-- it just feels like seams that fold are not very strong and the foam looks like I could shred it if I weren't careful enough. How do you guys feel about the durability of these?
 
I'm thinking about getting an Exped Down Mat to replace my Thermarest. I use a Goretex bivy so I don't worry as much about punctures. For not much more weight then a Thermarest and foam pad you get 3.5" inflatable with an R-8. It would be great for cold weather camping and I'm getting older and might trade a couple ounces for comfort.
 
carrot,

I've had a Z-Rest for several years. I've used it mainly inside a Tarptent with a floor, so it hasn't seen very rough use. Nonetheless, I have not seen any deterioration of the seams or foam. If you get the long one you can always trim it to a shorter length. Alternatively, during warm weather I have used several "folds" at one end for a pillow.

DancesWithKnives
 
I have had a thermarest for years and battled the holes and slow leaks *waking up in the middle of rest and re inflating...

then I discovered the z-rest this option from thermarest can be easily incorporated as a support and cusion along your back in a pack.... it is 10x more comfortable and w/o the issue of puncture, leakage, etc... And as a bonus, it is 1/2 as expensive.

I would chose this over the thermarest anyday now. it is a bit bulkier, but there is nothing more useful in a woodsman than being well rested and having a night of uninterrupted blissful sleep;)



zzzzzzzzzz
 
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The egg crate, accordion folding foam was called the Z-Rest when I bought it. They may have changed the name but that's the foam I was discussing.

DancesWithKnives
 
carrot said:
Been looking at the Thermarest Z-lite (the egg-carton looking closed cell one) and it looks perfect (albeit a little large), however I have some concerns about durability-- it just feels like seams that fold are not very strong and the foam looks like I could shred it if I weren't careful enough. How do you guys feel about the durability of these?
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I know some people that have been using it a lot, they say it works fine and it's very durable (made well). They also have that in a short and 3/4 lengths. I've heard that type of egg-carton padding is very good.
 
I just got back from a winter camping trip and used a standard thickness closed foam pad from Thermarest. Temps dipped to the double negative digits and I slept warm although somewhat uncomfortable as the thin pad doesn't offer much cushioning. I like inflatable pads too but nothing beats the closed foam for weight reduction.
 
hollowdweller said:
I never used one till I was 35. Just slept on the ground.
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Something about the mid-30's make the ground ALOT harder! I will be 37 in a few days and just broke down to get a cot for car camping and a pad for walking in. the foam pad seems thin so I am going to add an inflatable.. :thumbup:
 
I am telling you cots rule! :D I am spending 2-3 weekends away from the house a month now and sleeping on the ground is out !!! :barf:
 
carrot said:
Been looking at the Thermarest Z-lite (the egg-carton looking closed cell one) and it looks perfect (albeit a little large), however I have some concerns about durability-- it just feels like seams that fold are not very strong and the foam looks like I could shred it if I weren't careful enough. How do you guys feel about the durability of these?
Click to expand...

I have the green older model and have used it for over 15 years on roots, sharp rocks, in a tent, by the campfire, in a camp chair and just on the ground. The seams have held up perfectly. No tearing, fraying or weakening from what I can see. The lite version may not be as bulletproof, but I'm sure that it'll outlast most inflatable models.
 
BOOMSTICK said:
I use a thermarest z lite. I never have to worry about it puncturing and I sit on it like a recliner everywhere. it's great when the ground is cold too.
fncold.jpg
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I have that one too, in the 3/4 length. I've only used it down to +4C, but it worked great with my Western Mountaineering Summerlite down bag (0C) in a tarptent ( great tents from this guy: http://www.tarptent.com/). It's awesome as a seat around the fire, etc. Nice and light, and keeps my whole set-up lighter overall.
 
Sleep pad? What's a sleep pad?

Use a bunch of pine boughs and some leaves, rake the leaves up with a stick, make a pile as long and wide as you need. Make it thick enough so that it is 4 fingers thick when compressed. Better insulation, a lot softer, will probably smell better. Definately cheaper. Don't have to worry about punctures. What's not to love?!
 
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