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Backpacking Sleeping Pads - The Secret to a Restful Night on the TrailNow that you know why a sleeping pad is a necessity, you need to know what kinds of pads are available so that you can choose the one that's right for you. There are four types of backpacking sleeping pads on the market today: backpacking air mattresses, open-cell foam pads, closed-cell foam pads, and self-inflating pads. Each type of sleeping pad has its pros and cons. Backpacking air mattresses are small, thin inflatable mattresses. The idea of sleeping on air after a long day on the trail may sound heavenly, but air mattresses are not always the best choice for backpacking. They are undeniably comfortable, but they have several drawbacks. The first is the possibility of leaks. Backpackers put their gear through a lot of stress, and even a durable air mattress can spring a leak. Leaks are a pain to fix in the field, especially at night, but if you don't fix it, you'll be sleeping on cold, hard ground. Backpacking air mattresses also do a poor job of insulating to begin with. The large, open space of air inside the mattress chills to outside air temperature and circulates that air underneath you. Thus most backpacking air mattresses are only suitable for warm-weather use. Some backpacking air mattresses remedy this problem by adding insulation to the mattress. For example, the Exped Downmat is an air mattress filled with down. The stuff sack doubles as air pump, and you can also use it as a pillow. Handy! Closed-cell foam pads are the warmest type of backpacking sleeping pad available. They are also the least comfortable. Closed-cell foam is a dense, thin foam made up of tiny closed cells that stop air circulation (retaining heat) and block water absorption. Thus closed-cell foam pads are water-repellent, warm, light and may last forever. They are also cheap, so if you are on a budget, this is the sleeping pad for you. For example, the Therm-a-rest Ridge Rest pad retails for around $25 and features textured ridges for extra comfort. Just don't expect it to feel like a pillow-top -- these pads provide very little in the way of cushioning. As the name suggests, open-cell foam pads have open air cells. Because open air cells can squish further, they feel softer and have more "cushion", but as a result have to be either larger or heavier to compensate. Not so good for backpacking. Also, the open air cells absorb both water and allow some air circulation, meaning they are poor insulators in cold weather and worse than useless if the ground gets wet. However, they are still warmer than uninsulated air mattresses, and much more comfortable than closed-cell foam. They are also cheap. Self-inflating pads combine the comfort of open-cell foam pads with the warmth and weather-resistance of closed-cell foam. A self-inflating pad consists of open-cell foam covered in waterproof, airtight material. An air valve lets you inflate the mattress as much as you like-just open the valve and the open-cell foam sucks air in. They tend to be heaver than closed-cell foam and they are not as cheap as foam pads. The Therm-a-Rest Prolite 4 sleeping pad, for example, retails for 95.00. Nonetheless, these pads are very popular and are probably the best choice for backpacking in terms of comfort and versatility. Length and shape is another consideration. Some backpacking sleeping pads are only made to fit the upper half of your body. This saves weight, and is great for summer trips. For winter trips, however, you need a full-length pad. Also, make sure that the pad material has some texture to it so that you don't slide off. Many sleeping pads come with extra features that make them even more indispensable. For example, a chair sleeve is a lightweight sleeve that can turn a self-inflating pad into a comfy lounge chair. A camp chair is a huge relief at the end of the day-much more comfortable than sitting on a rock or a log! Also, if you are in a relationship, look for pads that can be joined together. Otherwise, your two sleeping pads will slide in opposite directions, leaving the two of you in the middle on the cold, hard ground. Choosing a backpacking sleeping pad is much like choosing any other piece of gear. First, you have to consider the conditions you will be backpacking in, the features that are most important to you, and the price you are willing to pay. Then, you will be able to select the perfect sleeping pad to complete your sleep system. Pleasant dreams! All pages on this topic: Sleeping Bags & Pads | Searching For The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag? | Top 10: Backpacking Sleeping Bag Reviews | The Secret To Sleeping Well: The Backpacking Pad |
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