SLEEPING PADS
What to look at before you buy
Jeff Barlow
(Nimrod Outdoors)
It’s
important to remember that each of us is different sizes and shapes and what
works for me may not work for you or your hunting partner either. Each person has to decide what is the most
important to them. As I get a little older I realize that after a few nights on
the ground it would be nice to have a pad that had a little more cushiness for
my old bones. I may be willing to part with a little more money to buy a
thinker pad where as my collage age son may say I don’t have the money for the
more expensive thicker air pad, but I am young and strong and I can handle
sleeping right on the ground so I can get a thin lightweight inexpensive foam
pad. Each person’s needs and wants are going to be different so this list is
just things to consider while looking at purchasing a sleeping pad.
TYPE – There are 2
types of pads and they both have their pros and cons. There is the Foam Pad or
the Air Pad. Like I said pros and cons.
Your foam
pads are usually cheaper. You don’t have to do anything with a foam pad except
roll it out, no pumping or blowing required. The other major benefit is that
they can’t pop and leave you laying on the ground. The foam pads (at least for
me) is not as comfortable to sleep on and is ridged and takes up more space in
my pack. The Air Pads on the other hand are much smaller in packing size and
they are much nicer to rest your aching bones on. They do take a little more
effort to set them up (and at 10,000 feet elevation, oxygen is at a premium,
LOL) and they can get holes in them at times so make sure to have a repair kit
with you. Also look at the warranty on the different pads, there are some pads
that can have issues with faulty valves or other things that a good warranty
will cover. Think about your needs and where and how you will be using the pad
when trying to decide which type to buy.
WEIGHT – This is a
huge issue to consider if you are going into the backcountry (or for that
matter any further than 10 feet from your car). You do have to carry these
pads, they don’t just fall from the sky once you have reached your camping
location. Pads can be a great thing in your pack or a miserable amount of extra
weight.
The thicker
the pad the more comfortable you sleep (most the time) but also the added
weight you carry. Also, when you are talking ultralight weight, the lighter it
is, most likely the more expensive it will become. Make sure to weigh out (Get
that pun) what is most important to you. For a good backpacking pad you are
looking anywhere between 13oz to 32oz depending on what you get.
WARMTH – Again, you
need to look at the use of the pad when worrying about warmth. I remember not too
long ago when I had an uninsulated pad sleeping on the frozen ground, mistake
for sure. The question is, will you be using the pad (the majority if the time)
in warmer conditions where you won’t need as much insulation (R-Value) or are
you going to be doing a lot of winter camping? The higher the R-value, the
warmer the pad will keep you, so to speak. Pads with R-values of 0-2 are good
for warm weather, R-values of 3-4 are good for most conditions, and R-values of
4+ are good for nights you know you will be sleeping on the frozen ground. 1
thing to remember is that the more R-Value you have the more expensive and
heavier the pad will become.
SIZE – There are tons
of options here. There are supersized pads and there are minimalist pads (only
covering down to about mid-thigh) out there. Some pads out there that have
parts of the pad removed (locations where the padding is not as necessary and
to help save weight).
Shoulder and
hip areas are the most important places to have the pad, these are the 2 main
pressure areas when laying on your pad. Most
common pads come in a couple sizes, length, width and thickness. It is up to
you to determine your needs and wants and what you are willing to pay the price
for and what you can sacrifice.
PACKED SIZE – There
are a lot of factors that go into Pack Size. Size and thickness of your pad are
the main factors. The other factor is whether it is an Air Pad or a foam pad.
Air pads will pack down much smaller than foam pads, half-length thin pads will
pack down smaller then full length thick pads. You will have to determine if
space in your pack is an issue and make your choice of pad with that in mind.
PRICE – Ultralight
backpacking pads with good insulation, size and weight are great to sleep on,
but they will most likely be your most expensive pads. Prices can range on pads
from $15 to over $150. The most expensive one we found while writing this
article was $179. Do your research and know your needs and wants and you can
find a pad that fits your size, weight, comfort and pocketbook.
Make sure to
go to a physical store when you can throw the different pads on the ground and
lay on them. Test them. Feel how heavy they are or how much room they take up
when packed. Do yourself a favor and look at lots of pads and make decision
based on your feelings after testing them. The pad you choose will make the
difference for you when it counts. It is very hard to go day after day if you
are not sleeping well at night.
You can at
this point buy the pad at the physical store or look on line for a better deal.
Make sure to look at the return policy and the warranty of the pad when
purchasing online. There are lots of choices for pads out there and with some good
research you can find what works best for you.
