There are several options for different conditions to accommodate back country sleeping.
Sleeping pads are more than just comfortable, they offer a barrier between you and the ground that won't compress the way 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 cold night. That being said, you may want one in summer also, 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 uses.
Inflatable pads. These were really the world's first packable pads. They are kind of old school now. They were inflated using a pump or using your mouth. They offer pretty good insulation, but they are also sensitive to punctures, and become basically useless if punctured. Since the days of inflatable pads, some more modern designs 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 extremely lightweight. More so than any other design available, however they are not compressible at all. They use tiny bubbles of air sealed within the foam to accomplish insulation. While incompressible, they do offer the benefits of a light weight pad. It is usually the cheapest, and the lightest. This means less work for you when hauling 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 represent the favorite of most backpackers, they come in a variety of thicknesses, widths and weights. These pads offer the simplicity 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 made from an open celled foam. These pack down 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 they can be punctured, unlike a closed cell pad, they are easily repaired. Self inflating pads also offer the most variable comfort, a closed cell pad is a fixed hardness, it is not adjustable, like a self inflating pad.
As with virtually all gear, it is a combination of price, weight, features and benefits. Choosing a sleeping pad depends on what you want to use it for and what is most important to you. Whatever
sleeping pad you choose, it will likely be a good one. All pads are thoroughly engineered and have gotten super good over the last 10 years.
This article was written by Brian Tecklenburg, lover of the outdoors. He loves to get his camping gear and clothing from
www.moosejaw.com
