Sleeping Pads
How to find the right sleeping pad to get you through the night
Choosing the right sleeping pad is vital for two reasons: cushioning while sleeping on the naked earth, and insulation against the chilly ground, which at any time of year is usually colder than you want to be.
Recent and continuing innovations in sleeping pads give us choices that take some of the "rough" out of roughing it. The first step in buying a mattress is to decide between the two basic types: self-inflating mattresses or foam pads. The next step is to further refine your final selection in terms of mattress length and thickness based on a personal equation that balances weight against comfort, which tend to rise and fall in tandem.
Self Inflaters
While self-inflating mattresses are two or three times pricier and heavier than foam pads, they're immensely more popular among backcountry travelers for one very good reason: they're just plain cushy.
Self-inflaters inflate in minutes at the twist of a valve, though you usually have to firm them up with a few breaths. When shopping for a self-inflater, look for these features:
Foam Pads
Though more spartan than self-inflating mattresses, foam pads have the advantage of being lightweight and inexpensive. Full-length pads weigh less than a pound, and short pads may be a half pound or less. Plus, you can sit or lie on a foam pad out on bare ground without worry about damaging it.
When shopping for foam pads, look for: Closed-cell foam, which does not absorb water. Open-cell foam pads, while even less expensive, drink up moisture like the sponges that they are, making them a poor choice for multi-day backcountry trips.
Both self-inflating mattresses and foam pads come in different lengths and thicknesses creating a spectrum of choice from short and thin foam pads that weigh only a few ounces to thick, full-length self-inflaters that tip the scales at more than five pounds. Generally, what you gain in comfort with a thicker and longer pad you also gain in the number of ounces you're carrying on your back during the day when traveling into the backcountry.
Thickness
A compact, lightweight conversion kit that turns your inflatable mattress into a camp chair will be the most popular item at your campsite. Chair kits also sheath your pad in protective nylon. No matter what make or model you buy, make sure the chair kit will fit your pad's length and width.
Recent and continuing innovations in sleeping pads give us choices that take some of the "rough" out of roughing it. The first step in buying a mattress is to decide between the two basic types: self-inflating mattresses or foam pads. The next step is to further refine your final selection in terms of mattress length and thickness based on a personal equation that balances weight against comfort, which tend to rise and fall in tandem.
Self Inflaters
While self-inflating mattresses are two or three times pricier and heavier than foam pads, they're immensely more popular among backcountry travelers for one very good reason: they're just plain cushy.
Self-inflaters inflate in minutes at the twist of a valve, though you usually have to firm them up with a few breaths. When shopping for a self-inflater, look for these features:
- Independent air chambers beneath your head, torso, hips, and legs. These allow you to customize the firmness of your bed.
- A nonslip surface to keep your sleeping bag from sliding on sloping ground.
- A repair kit, since a flat mattress offers precious little padding and insulation against the hard, cold ground. Before any trip, make sure the glue in your repair kit has not dried up if you've previously opened the tube. You can often repair pinholes in a pad by smearing a little glue into the hole and letting it dry.
- A built-in pillow (optional).
- Self-inflating mattresses take a bit more care. In the backcountry, keep the mattress away from sharp objects and heat sources, and transport your inflatable in a nylon staff sack. Minimize the number of breaths you blow into the mattress by allowing sufficient time for it to inflate on its own. Always carry a repair kit. At home, store the mattress unrolled, because keeping it compressed will kill its ability to self-inflate. Keep the valve open so that mildew causing moisture can escape from inside.
Foam Pads
Though more spartan than self-inflating mattresses, foam pads have the advantage of being lightweight and inexpensive. Full-length pads weigh less than a pound, and short pads may be a half pound or less. Plus, you can sit or lie on a foam pad out on bare ground without worry about damaging it.
When shopping for foam pads, look for: Closed-cell foam, which does not absorb water. Open-cell foam pads, while even less expensive, drink up moisture like the sponges that they are, making them a poor choice for multi-day backcountry trips.
- A surface pattern to enhance comfort; though the molded surfaces tend to last many years, once they wear down comfort is seriously compromised. Common are ridged pads that look like a washboard and are very popular and durable, and an egg-crate pattern, which is comfortable but provides little pockets where moisture or water can collect if it gets wet or you have lots of condensation inside a tent on a cold night.
- To ensure the long life of a foam pad, simply store it dry to prevent mildew build-up. In the field, lash it to bottom edge of your pack to make a handy “kickstand” for your pack.
Both self-inflating mattresses and foam pads come in different lengths and thicknesses creating a spectrum of choice from short and thin foam pads that weigh only a few ounces to thick, full-length self-inflaters that tip the scales at more than five pounds. Generally, what you gain in comfort with a thicker and longer pad you also gain in the number of ounces you're carrying on your back during the day when traveling into the backcountry.
Thickness
- For ounce-counting backpackers and mountaineers: Look for self-inflating mattresses of no more than 1 to 1.5 inches thick, and a total weight of between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds. If foam pads are your style, look for a closed-cell model that's 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick.
- For car campers and boaters, who are less concerned about weight, the sky's the limit. In fact, the packed size of the mattress becomes more of a factor. Generally, a 2-inch self-inflater will make the roughest ground feel like a five-star hotel bed.
- Shorter pads are ideal for smaller people or anyone who curls up when sleeping. Ounce-counting backpackers should also consider three-quarter length or shorter pads. When using a short pad in milder weather, you can insulate your feet from the ground with a strategically placed empty backpack or extra clothing.
- In severe cold or snow camping, a full-length pad is a must, although your short pad can also serve a role. Many winter campers bring along two pads for extra insulation from warmth-robbing snow and as insurance against failure of a self-inflater.
A compact, lightweight conversion kit that turns your inflatable mattress into a camp chair will be the most popular item at your campsite. Chair kits also sheath your pad in protective nylon. No matter what make or model you buy, make sure the chair kit will fit your pad's length and width.
