There are many options for different conditions to accommodate back country sleeping. Sleeping pads are more than just comfort, they offer a barrier between you and the ground that will not compress like your sleeping bag does. Because of this, it will still insulate, even with you laying on it. This makes a sleeping pad your best friend in the winter, or even just a frigid night. That said, you may want one in summer too, they help protect your body from rocks and sticks, and they make sleeping in the woods a bit more enjoyable. There are three basic types of sleeping pads, each having different characteristics and best applications.
Inflatable pads. These were really the first packable pad designs. They are kind of old school now. They were inflated using a pump or by your mouth. They offer pretty good insulation, but they are also vulnerable to punctures, and become basically useless if punctured. Since the days of inflatable pads, some more technologically advanced types of pads have been developed.
Closed cell foam. This type comes in two forms: rollable, and foldable. For example the Therm-A-Rest Ridge Rest, (rollable) and Therm-A-Rest Z-lite (foldable). These are super lightweight. More so than any other material available, however they are not compressible at all. They use tiny pockets of air sealed within the foam to achieve insulation. While not compressible, they do offer the benefits of a light weight pad. It is often the cheapest, and the lightest. This means less work for you when carrying it, and more money in your pocket. Closed cell foam is also a excellent choice for those who are ultralight backpackers because they often use packs that have no suspension, the closed cell foam can be used as a suspension that has a dual purpose.
Self inflating pads. These are the most popular with backpackers, they come in a variety of thicknesses, widths and weights. These pads offer the ease of self-inflation, more puncture resistance than an inflatable pad and in the event of a puncture, they still offer some insulation because they are filled with an open celled foam. These pack the smallest, so at a slight cost of weight, they take up the least space in your pack, and represent the best of both worlds in many cases. While it is possible to puncture them, unlike a closed cell pad, they are easily repaired. Self inflating pads also offer the most adjustable comfort, a closed cell pad is a fixed hardness, it is unadjustable, unlike a self inflating pad.
As with virtually all gear, it is a balance of price, weight, features and benefits. Choosing the right sleeping pad depends on what activities you want to use it for and what is most important to you. Whatever choice you make will likely be a good one, all pads are well engineered and have gotten really good over the last 10 years.
This article was written by Brian Tecklenburg. He loves all things outdoors including camping, hiking, backpacking and more. Brian loves to get his gear from www.moosejaw.com
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