Sleeping pads

18 years ago

Ok, as I said in my food ideas post, I didn't have a good night's sleep on my Therm-a-rest sleeping pad. I got it in 2000, and I think Term-a-rest didn't make differing thicknesses back then. I got the short, (bad idea, too short for my height, and my sleeping bag.)

I use sleeping pads, because I keep them inflated permanently, store them in the back of the closet against the wall, and on a trip, it goes in the car last, on top of everthing else.

So, I was thinking of upgrading. Now, the big outdoor companies are making varying thicknesses of their sleeping pads. REI had a "Camp Bed" 3.5.

Anybody got any good ideas, experiences with the newer sleeping pads?

Oh, I'm not such a weenie that I need a Coleman air mattress, too bulky, needs the air pump, and I like the flexibility of self inflating, leave it inflated, or roll it up to save space.

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Comments (6)

brianh_va
18 years ago
The last couple of years I've been using a 2" thick 25" wide full length Thermarest when I can, a pair of 1 1/2 inch thick 20" wide Thermarests when 2-up on the motorcycle and space is limited.

I find the 2" pad comfortable enough that I doubt anything thicker would be any better for me at least. The 1 1/2" is pretty comfortable, but not like the 2". And it's too narrow for one person, although two of us are ok on two of them strapped together.
tplife
18 years ago
Herb Mania, I'm throwing in with Brian on this one. I use the 2" thick (full length, full width)CampRest ThermaRest pad. I did discover that initially I used too much inflation. Once I learned to de-flate the pad (while laying on it) and close the valve so that I was off the floor, but upon raising up, My butt then hit the floor, I had support without flotation. My I enjoy many a good night's rest. I suggest you go with a CampRest, but to me anything over 2" is overkill, but then, YMMV!
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jayh
18 years ago
If you have a problem with floating all over the place, you might want to try a closed cell foam pad. Downsides, they don't pack nearly as nice as the air mattress pads like the Thermarests. But typically, the closed cell pads are cheap (heck, you don't even need to buy a name brand, you can just buy foam insulation and cut it to size).

One benefit of the closed cell foam, is that it will be warmer in the winter, if you are talking about winter camping. Air mattresses aren't as effective in the cold weather so typically it is recommended to use a closed cell foam pad (in addition to the air mattress if that is what you like).

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herb_mania
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks everybody. I think I'm going with Brian's recommendation of something 2 inches. REI has a 2.5 Camp Bed, that sounds good.
My hips and overall creaky bones need something better than the original Thermarest. Two inches should do it.
brianh_va
18 years ago
You're welcome herb mania. I think you'll like anything 2" or over. I'd also get the full length and width version (something like 72 by 25).

Unlike tplife, I like mine fully self-inflated, then maybe even a puff or two more. But then I like an extra firm mattress. To me, the 2" thick is just about as good as the Serta Perfect Sleeper I use at home.

I buy a lot of stuff from both REI and Campmor, some from LLBean. Have you checked Campmor's prices on these pads?
tplife
18 years ago
Brian, ThermaRest makes thicker mattress, although I can't imagine why you'd need one thicker than 2". Just make sure that whatever you buy, it has a LIFETIME guarantee.

Sleeping pads

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Sleeping pads

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