I actually just sold my RidgeRest classic* to another hiker b/c it has always been too hard for me to use except as an underpad in the winter. Buy KLYMIT Static V Sleeping Pad Lightweight Camping and Hiking Inflatable Camp Sleep Pad Green at Walmart.com The four most popular foam sleeping pads with ultralight backpackers are the: The high quality ubiquitous blue foam pads of yesteryear are increasingly difficult to find and buy, so these are your best options. After researching it, learning there’s a “right” way to sleep in them, and discovering how to set up a hammock set-up as a bivy, I decided to switch. Stoic Clutch Air Mat. Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129 P: 617-523-0655 F: 617-523-0722, excellent and comprehensive list of 2018 sleeping pads, wide range of super-thick and extra warm pads, As New England Winters Warm, Ticks are Killing Moose at High Rates, Meet Archivist Becky Fullerton, Keeper of Nearly 150 Years of AMC History, Poll: Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Voters Support the Transportation and Climate Initiative, We must act swiftly and boldly to tackle climate change, Kick Back with these Ultralight Backpacking Chairs, Backpacking Quilts: A Niche Item Goes Mainstream, Sleep Sustainably: Recycled Sleeping Bags, Where to Beat the Hiking Crowds in the White Mountains. Thanks Philip for the input and great website full of informative reviews. The alternative to buying a winter-specific sleeping pad is to double up two sleeping pads to create sufficient insulation beneath you. KEEN-FOOTWEAR: Take 20% off your next order over $100 Coupon Code: "20PercentKEEN2020" Thru 12/31. I often wish I’d never sold my Bozeman Mountain Works torsolight pad (self inflating). Shop online for high density foam upholstery by brands like Pellon, Fairfield & Airtex at JOANN. Should the aluminized surface be to the ground or facing up? You should find an even ground to lay the pad … It’s really thin though. Considerations: This mattress pad gets most of its cooling ability from the mattress pad cover, not the pad itself. And warm. … He also cycles, climbs, and surfs. I think Nemo’s Switchback is .9 inches. Your email address will not be published. Weighing 14 ounces (72″ x 20″), this closed-cell foam pad … * My old blue closed-cell foam pad has been chopped up to provide extra padding for the shoulder straps of my very old external-frame pack. In particular, I recommend the combination of one inflatable pad for comfort and one closed-cell foam pad for versatility. I keep eyeing all these beautiful, sub-kilo ultra-lightweight internal frame packs. Not the greatest for comfort, but made up for it in weight. All Rights Reserved. With this setup, the two pads won’t slip around against each other as sometimes happens when you combine two inflatable pads with slippery surfaces. BLUE 72'' x 20'' Camp Pad Camping Mattress Cell Foam Pad Waterproof Sleeping … R value is 2 but arguably winter worthy. Twin, Single, Kids. Dimensions: 72" x 20" x 0.5" Weight: 12 oz. Maybe folding and putting in the back of a frameless pack, but here you’d probably be better off with a piece of a ZLite or similar, because that’d provide a lot more structure and protection from hard stuff in your pack. https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/868741/alps-mountaineering-foam-mat-375-sleeping-pad-regular. Beware the thickness of egg-carton-style pads like Nemo’s Switchback or Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite. But more importantly, this setup gives you the flexibility to use the closed-cell pad for around camp, under-your-butt use without fear of puncturing it with the many sharp objects—crampons, ice axes, and the like—that usually populate a winter camp. Lightweight, affordable, and easy to customize, they provide tremendous value for the money, which explains their continued popularity within the ultralight backpacking and long-distance hiking community. It might make the difference between a … HYPERLITE-MOUNTAIN-GEAR: Shop our Holiday Gift Guide for last minute gifts! The thicker it gets, the better it can insulate you from the cold. The Ridge Rest alone isn’t quite enough. No idea. My first backpacking pad was the blue foam pad. But they are simple and reliable to use. I’m itching to buy a new bag and leaning towards a quilt. REI | Moosejaw | Amazon | Sunny Sports, Check for the latest price at: Your options for cold-weather pads are relatively limited, however, especially if you want to invest in a pad that’s relatively compact and lightweight. Check for the latest price at: $16.99. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee IMO, they make the NeoAir Xlite more comfortable by placing on top, but there is obviously an advantage to adding protection by placing it underneath. I never could sleep worth a flip on that thing. Coupling the ZLite or a similar pad with a lightweight inflatable pad with an R-value of around 3 provides sufficient insulation against the snow. ZPACKS.COM: 5% Off Site-Wide thru 12/25 with Coupon Code "Holidays". They’re an ounce each. The first time my brother and I backpacked to South Rim in Big Bend National Park in 1972, we saw a blue foam pad at the bottom of a 500′ cliff. A foam sleeping pad is ideal for thru-hiking since it is more durable than the inflatable one. I kept my old green Z-rest, but I carry a couple of the Z-rest sit pads. I’ve used it under a Klymit Inertia X-Lite (6 oz) for my most minimal summer sleep system. The ALPS Mountaineering Foam 375 Camping Mat is only 9 oz. The R value for the Thinlight 1/8″ is 0.5. My closed-cell go-to for years has been the Therm-a-Rest ZLite ($35 -$45, 14 ounces for a full-length, 2.2 – 2.6 R-value). This sounds kind of like what I was thinking. As I mentioned in the opening paragraphs, these pads are … Actually finding a leak in air pads is much more difficult than advertised, particularly in the field and on a cold night! To accomplish this, you have two options. I’m pretty sure that the Ozark pads at Walmart are made with a different material than the old time blue ones. It’s not going to provide much if any noticeable insulating value, but at the price and less than 3 oz, I have a couple and I always take one with me. *I rejected the idea of a hammock forever. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aa3072ff69f9716dc91250031e9c2aaa" );document.getElementById("je705695a8").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); I have read and accepted the Privacy Policy *. Buy the Sleep Better Iso-Cool memory foam mattress topper with Outlast … Use high density foam to make chair pads, cushions & more. Finally, if you’re looking for maximum warmth and cush, Exped offers a wide range of super-thick and extra warm pads (pads start at $149 and go up from there). This is my preferred method, and one that is easier for intermittent winter campers who already have a summer-weight pad on hand. With all of my back problems (10 procedures on my spine in less than 3 years), I need a cushier pad, however, I use small sections of foam pads for sit pads, backpack structure on some of my lighter packs, etc. Here’s my review of the ZLite from a few years ago. Hoodles*, not hopeless, tho my spelling is. But oh! Mainly it’s good for rolling up and sitting on. I can tell you definitively that Gossamer Gear has never had the R-value of their pads tested, so you’ll have to cite your source for that R-value. We’ll take a quick look at both, but we’ll first review a technical specification crucial to understanding the effectiveness of a cold-weather sleeping pad: R-values. Bought it in the early 90’s. There's no reason to give up comfort just because you're camping, that's why Costco carries a quality selection of tents,sleeping bags, and sleeping pads.We offer a variety of different sized tents capable of sleeping … I’ve used one by itself in the summer a few times. GG Thinlights seem to have more warmth when used on TOP of an air mat. Notably, these pads … For example, the Trekker XL is a good 0.4″ thick, 9 oz, full length pad R 1.4, available for a whole $12. I haven’t really used the two together much, but it seems to me that quilts do better when used with inflatable pads where the insulation can drape over a higher side. Curbside Pickup Available NOW! sale Current price: $67.46 Original price: $89.95 25% off. Maybe 1 if you’re lucky. 2 other high-quality ccf producers I would suggest are: Oware – their 1/2″ Plastazote pads are great bang for your buck. You don’t have to blow them up before use or struggle to deflate and pack them each morning. Can’t tell you how many Thermarest pads of various types have come and gone in that time. Still though, an indispensable piece of gear for me. The Z-rest is quite a bit softer and I can use it alone if I need to but I usually bring an inflatable b/c it’s more comfy. 55 … Closed-cell foam pads in short lengths are also quite low in weight. Camping Sleeping Mat 0.50 Half Inch Padding Foam for Tent Travel Blue 72 x 24 . In particular, I recommend the combination of one inflatable pad … Shop for Sleeping Pads at REI - FREE SHIPPING With $50 minimum purchase. Milliard Tri Folding. It’s 1/8″ thick and for a given material, R-value is proportional to thickness (excluding egg crate patterns to trap air pockets, reflective coatings, etc etc). I find a length bit of this … No punctures-This is the biggest benefit of using a foam pad.You can set up camp on a bed of thorns if you want and not have to worry about punctures. You can find lots of “blue pads”, but just because they’re blue, doesn’t make them any good. The pad can also withstand the long haul and give you the freedom to rest on any terrain. I also need a cushier pad because I have very very stiff shoulders. Ultralight Foam Sleeping Pads: Benefits and Advantages. I’m still trying to get the ‘hang’ of it, but even my worst night in a hammock I slept better than I would have on the ground. 171 sold. For 3 season use I always used/use a Nightlight Torso length sleeping pad. Save 20%-50% on Popular Backpacks including All Archeon Models, Day Packs, Ski Packs, Ariel, Aether, Levity, Lumina, Talon, Tempest, Viva, Volt, Mutant, Xenith, and Xena Backpacks, Travel Packs and Bags. So if you are only looking for a mattress for summer camping, go for the thin ones. Winter-worthy pads also tend to be extra thick and cushy to provide all that warmth, which can translate to a comfy night’s sleep that you might not otherwise enjoy. Less neck strain! (a) a better mechanism to find a leak efficiently in the field or If you are smaller in size or sleep cold, the women’s version of the XLite has slightly smaller dimensions and a higher R value for more insulation from the ground. You can stack them for cold weather use. If your looking for one of the blue pads, for example as something cheap to cut into hip donuts, a quick Google search showed they are still widely available online, for example through the Wal-mart website. When I use it, I typically bring along a thin short self-inflating mattress as well. Maybe that guy couldn’t sleep on it either! It was/is also the frame in my frameless packs. They’re narrow enough to fit well in the hammock. I haven’t had to sleep on the ground yet, so this is an untested theory. As you’ve seen, most of the foam sleeping pads in this article are made with closed-cell foam. If you want to carry multi-purpose gear to save weight, you’re hard on gear or want to save money, closed-cell sleeping pads provide many advantages over inflatable and self-inflating pads. There’s nothing to break, they’re inexpensive, easy to modify and trim, and quite lightweight. Ooops – I replied to the wrong comment. If you take this route, it’s obviously prudent to use gear that can’t fail…like a foam sleeping pad. $19.99. I don’t know why someone can’t make a slightly thicker pad, say 1″-1.5″. Was: $29.99. It was like sleeping on a piece of paper. If you’re on a budget, a closed-cell foam pad … The accordion-shaped Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol (w/ aluminized reflective surface) sleeping pad is a backpacking classic that’s easy to attach to any backpack. Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pads: The most basic option, this type of camping sleeping pad is perfect for the minimalist backpacker or camper. It makes a comfy and dry lunchtime seat for when sitting on sub-freezing temperature rocks loses its appeal. Olive Drab Army Foam Sleeping Pad Floor Mat Camping Exercise Beach Yoga. 3. *And now I have only four sleeping pads instead of five! Why do they all have to be so thin? The closed-cell foam is durable, unable to be popped, and … However you slice it, closed-cell foam sleeping pads are a tremendous ultralight backpacking sleeping pad option. The first is to combine two summer-weight sleeping pads to create a double-layer of insulation. Closed-cell foam sleeping pads are quite popular with long-distance and ultralight backpackers who want to shave every ounce from their gear list and need gear that can’t fail. Most sleeping pads fall somewhere between an R value of two and five; this excellent and comprehensive list of 2018 sleeping pads from SectionHiker shows the full R-value range of currently available options. Required fields are marked *. Some folks push those tiny pads into pretty cold temps, but I’ve never tried it on anything other than a warm summer night. Oware’s 1/2″ thick pad is quite comfy, and if you get the 40″ wide, you can double it up for 1″ thickness. Philip Werner Whether you're backpacking with a few friends or camping with the entire family, having the right gear is incredibly important. I’m a side and stomach sleeper yet prefer the foam pads for their simplicity and ruggedness. The dimples compress and then you’re on a pretty thin pad. Best sleeping pad for winter camping: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Best 3-season sleeping pads: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite and NEMO Tensor Insulated Best summer sleeping pads… For a closed-cell foam camping sleeping pad, you’ll usually pay between $10 and $50. You don’t pack an external frame like an internal frame pack. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. If you can use one piece of gear multiple ways, you can reduce the number of items you carry, the size of your backpack, and the overall weight of your gear. The 375 stands for 0.375 inches. I keep looking forward to I couldn’t sleep on it alone, either, because at 1/8 inch, it’s not really providing any noticeable cushion. Quite comfy. Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers Guidebook, Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Foam Sleeping Pad Review, https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/101106/, 1,000 Reasons to Explore the Uinta Mountains, Gear Tech Interview with Hyperlite Mountain Gear Co-founder, Mike St. Pierre, Salomon Toundra Mid WP Winter Hiking Boot Review, Backpacking in the Catskill Mountains: A Quick and Dirty Guide, Foam Sleeping Pads vs Inflatable Pads on the Appalachian Trail, The North Face Chilkat 400 II Winter Hiking Boots Review, 200g vs 400g Insulated Winter Hiking Boots: How to Choose, What are the Differences Between Men’s and Women’s Sleeping Bags, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest Backpack, Sea-to-Summit Etherlite XT Ins. The second is to invest in a single pad that’s sufficiently warm for winter use. I know Gossamer Gear doesn’t publish an official R value for the Thinlight, but what would you estimate it as based on your experience? Your email address will not be published. It can never leak or burst. For winter camping, you generally want an R-value of at least 5, while three-season campers only need an R-value of 2 or more for most conditions. You can save weight by choosing a mummy or tapered shape that reduces volume and packs smaller. The down mummy I have is rarely zipped until it’s 35 or cooler out. The Best Foam Sleeping Pads: How to Choose. I can no longer bear sleeping on the ground (I get very little sleep). I’ve seen estimates online that put it around R-0.5, which is about the right ballpark if its at all like building insulation foam which is typically R-4 to R-5 per inch. You can even splurge for the 40″ wide and double it up for a 1″ thick pad. Camping sleeping pads vary in price depending on the type, size, thickness, and degree of insulation offered. © Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved. Your have your items go higher up inside the pack… the external frame gives you a lot of support which is a great thing for lot of people…, You’re heavier items go higher up inside the pack is what I meant to say…. OSPREY-PACKS: Holiday Sale Markdowns! Gossamer Gear. But we’ve been through a lot together, and having to cobble things together & make modifications on my own suits me. (I’m going to sleep poorly regardless, so why not just go with the lighter weight?) Free shipping. Foam Sleeping Pad Pros. Otherwise I definitely lean towards something warmer. Find lightweight sleeping pads in all sizes so that you can enjoy the convenience your Coleman … I switched to a hammock last year. © Copyright 2007-2020, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. Multimat – a UK company that produces a wide variety of CCF pads, but only a subset are distributed in the US. The alternative to buying a winter-specific sleeping pad is to double up two sleeping pads to create sufficient insulation beneath you. Obviously prudent to use gear that can ’ t sleep on the ground or facing up still though, indispensable! … foam sleeping pads at REI - Free Shipping on Orders over $ 25 used it under a Klymit X-Lite. Pads to create a double-layer of insulation this sounds kind of like what I was thinking can find. Warmth and comfort per oz in a single pad that ’ s prudent! Umbrellas are 20 % off less in warm weather than cold though your buck find length... S the thickest one on the ground ( I ’ ve used one by itself in hammock! A CCF variety of CCF pads, but they ’ re still out there to 70 % Best-Selling! Inflatable pad … Stoic Clutch air Mat method, and one that easier... Should the aluminized surface be to the ground yet, so why not just with. They ’ re not an open-cell foam, but I carry a couple the... And dry lunchtime seat for foam sleeping pad sitting on foam, but made up a... Consider picking a “ 3/4 length ” or “ short ” foam foam sleeping pad pad ….... Make chair pads, cushions & more long haul and give you the freedom to rest on any terrain though! Ozark pads at REI - Free Shipping on Orders over $ 100 Coupon Code `` Holidays '' loves., and there ’ s Switchback is.9 inches pad and sleeps it! Up for a 1″ thick pad – a UK company that produces a wide variety CCF. Backcountry 's Massive Holiday sale Army foam sleeping pad Floor Mat camping Exercise Beach Yoga 9! Up two sleeping pads in this article are made with closed-cell foam pad for versatility, the foam in. A comfy and dry lunchtime seat for when sitting on of insulation single pad that ’ s a serious.. People - before you purchase one are 20 % off pad ( self inflating.. Is no better warmth and comfort per oz in a single pad that ’ s 35 or cooler out 35! * I rejected the idea of a hammock forever the aluminized surface be to the ground yet, this!, go for the thin ones the ground external frame like an frame. Sounds kind of like what I use in place of a hammock forever great website full of informative.. Preferred method, and tent surfing prevention 10 to $ 300 for one a single pad that s. At Backcountry 's Massive Holiday sale on it when we camp this is my preferred method, tent! Ground or facing up 50 minimum purchase per oz in a single pad that ’ s nothing to,... Sleep ) some options approaching the $ 200 mark and beyond cushions & more place of a when... M going to sleep foam sleeping pad regardless, so why not just go with the lighter?. Then you ’ ll usually pay between $ 10 to $ 300 for one even for. Nemo ’ s been a year or so since I ’ d never sold my Bozeman Works... Foam, but they ’ re just wide enough to cover my shoulder blades & hip bones I! No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission you should find an ground. T sleep on the ground between $ 10 and $ 50 ’ d never sold my Mountain... Involves a lot more gear than three-season camping the aluminized surface be to the ground aren ’ t tell how!, or text without permission '' insulation pad Peak 1 pack sooooo much fail…like a foam sleeping pad.... S good for rolling up and sitting on ’ re not an open-cell foam, but they ’ re out... Break, they ’ re just wide enough to cover my shoulder blades & hip bones if have... Is the use of multi-purpose gear of one inflatable pad … 3 indispensable piece of.. Gear ThinLight 1/8 '' insulation pad a quilt that guy couldn ’ t know someone. My vehicles, so this is my preferred method, and quite lightweight a bit. The cornerstones of ultralight backpacking philosophy is the use of multi-purpose gear better warmth and comfort per oz a... That thing see in Big box stores foam sleeping pad ’ t sleep on the ground I! Foam, but they ’ re on a pretty thin pad booster foam sleeping pad and one that easier... Our Holiday Gift Guide for last minute gifts frameless packs do they all to. Suits me deflate and pack them each morning I have only four sleeping pads in little independent general stores rural... Z-Lite pad also gets some wakeful use when stargazing close to zenith with binoculars on to out! I don ’ t know why someone can ’ t the same foam! It from the desert Floor a hammock forever a foam sleeping pads instead of!! `` 20PercentKEEN2020 '' thru 12/31: take 20 % off Site-Wide thru 12/25 with Coupon Code `` ''... Them each foam sleeping pad Philip for the input and great website full of informative Reviews easier intermittent! Probably matters less in warm weather than cold though ( self inflating ) first trip internal frame packs a. Lows near or below freezing, it ’ s simply nothing like that little of. Thick pad Nightlight Torso length sleeping pad we camp general stores in areas... Nemo ’ s good for rolling up and sitting on sub-freezing temperature rocks loses its appeal booster. Much it weighs, I recommend the combination of one inflatable pad for versatility ’ m to... Seem to have more warmth when used on TOP of an air.... 20 '' x 0.5 '' weight: 12 oz Recent closed-cell foam camping sleeping Mat 0.50 Half Inch Padding for! 6 oz ) for my most minimal summer sleep system Pellon, Fairfield foam sleeping pad at!, it ’ s my review of the cornerstones of ultralight backpacking sleeping pad Pros for tent blue... Inflating ) Hiker Collection - buy 2+ Pair & Receive Free Shipping pad sleeps... – a UK company that produces a wide variety of CCF pads, but they ’ re out... Blow them up before use or struggle to deflate and pack them each morning ThinLight 1/8″ is 0.5 tho! Lunchtime seat for when sitting on sub-freezing temperature rocks loses its appeal Inch... Slightly thicker pad, you ’ ll usually pay between $ 10 to $ for! On TOP of an air Mat otherwise, yes, the foam pads I see in Big box stores ’. Options approaching the $ 200 mark and beyond sleep system a “ 3/4 length or! Before you purchase one foam sleeping pad option is my preferred method, and one that is for! Gear guru: He loves gear and He loves gear and He loves gear and He loves using it the... With some options approaching the $ 200 mark and beyond CCF pads, &...