Choosing the best Sleeping Pad

A sleeping pad is one of those choices that for the inexperienced they have delusions of wonderfully padded cozy bedding much like they enjoy at home. Unfortunately the reality is far from the delusion. Don’t get me wrong there are some really cushy pads out there that can make sleeping on the cold hard ground a bit more appealing, but I have yet to experience a pad that will bring you “home”. All of these pads come in different lengths and thickness and some even fold to make packing easier!

There are really only two types of pads that are utilized today; closed-cell and self-inflating. With recent introduction of the down filled pads such as the Exped Downmat 9 Sleeping Pad. There used to be open-cell pads but they ended up being more trouble than they were worth and most manufacturers have since discontinued production.

Closed-cell foam sleeping pads utilize durable dense foam with no covering, basically a sheet of foam. Closed-cell foam is the best insulator due to the billions of tiny air cells trapped in foam, each air cell is heated by your body heat and will in turn retain that heat longer. Closed-cell foam is also pretty resistant to absorbing moisture so it will stay dry longer.  Closed cell pads are also shape able. You can cut them to fit your needs. And they are simple to maintain. Priced reasonably.

The main drawback is that closed-cell foam pads do not compress easily and tend to be on the harder side. They are also almost solid foam so they tend to be heavier than their self inflating cousins. So in order to get the same level of soft comfort you will need more closed-cell pads to equal the comfort you get with a self inflating pad which equals more weight.

Some good choices are:

Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest Deluxe

Pacific Outdoor Equipment Hyper-Mtn

Open-cell foam are basically sponges and fail to serve much of a purpose in the back country. They absorb water, you need a really thick piece to equal the insulation value of the closed-cell pad. They are also bulky and due to the water absorption bacteria love them and it is really difficult to clean properly.

The advantage is they’re light and “cushy”…somewhat. Inexpensive.

The disadvantages are they can absorb moisture, which can be a problem if they don’t get a chance to dry out.

Self-inflating pads are layered open-cell foam pads that are sealed in a water resistant bag. Theses are the most compressible and are fairly light and easy to clean. These are the pads you see companies advertising as super compact and super light. Usually marketed rolled up and seal in a plastic sleeve. These pads have a valve on one corner that when opened, the open celled-foam with in will expand drawing air inside thus “self-inflating”. Since the open-cell foam is sealed between plastic it insulates better than open-cell foam alone.

Unfortunately these bags are often victims of punctures, and can harbor bacteria if you blow in your mat to help it “firm up”. Can be expensive.

Some good choices are:
Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3

Big Agnes Dual Core Mummy Sleeping Pad

Things to keep in mind:

If you winter camp a lot closed cell pads are the best choice. I usually bring a full length closed cell foam Z-Rest and a 3/4 length self inflating pad.

If fast packing use a 3/4 length self inflating pad. And place your pack under your feet to insulate them from the ground.

If using a self inflating pad bring some way to patch it, Therm-a-Rest Hot Bond Repair Kit just in case!

When blowing into a self inflating pad you are adding warm air, as this air cools in condenses and form water droplets. Two things will now occur; first, your pad will seem to deflate as you sleep from the warm air cooling and taking up less space, and the water droplets that form will provide a nice breeding ground for bacteria!!

Just as I suggested with the sleeping bags, try the pad out. Go to the gear shop and lay one out and sit on it lay on it, roll around. If you have concerns while at the store imaging what those concerns will become in the backcountry!!

You can beef up the insulating ability of any pad by laying out a bed of pine boughs or other insulating material found near camp.

All of these materials are synthetic and will melt easily, do not cook on or near them!!

Most pads can be fashioned into a seat Therm-a-Rest Trekker Chair Sleeve, as well, pulling double duty!

Good Luck.