While traveling outdoors, it is of utmost importance to rest well after a long adventurous day. If you are camping and paranoid about getting a good night’s sleep amidst the campsite surroundings of mountains and forests, you must invest in high quality sleeping pads and sleeping pad accessories. It will not only let you stay warm and comfortable but also spend a peaceful night without any pestering insects.
At the outset, let’s understand what sleeping pads are.
Understanding Sleeping Pads
Sleeping pads, also known as sleeping mats, thermal pads, ground pads, or roll mats are used along with a sleeping bag to offer padding and thermal insulation. It is commonly used by outdoor enthusiasts who are going for overnight camping or hiking. The most basic sleeping pad is made of 0.5 cm thick foam-like material. Its length is the same as that of a sleeping bag and wider than the latter.
Sleeping pads work on the principle of creating thermal resistance against the cold, hard terrains. It’s a myth that sleeping pads are used to create a more comfortable sleeping or sitting area. The truth is that they help in preventing the loss of body heat into the ground while sleeping. Sleeping pads are made of materials filled with air pockets as air is one of the best and cheapest insulators that curbs heat conduction.
Camping sleeping pads are of several types according to their design and type of insulation.
Let’s get some detailed insights into the same.
Types of Sleeping Pads
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Manually Inflated
Manually inflated sleeping pads are just like air mattresses. They need to be inflated with the help of a pump or by blowing orally. It offers less insulation because of the air convection in the mattress. Advanced mattresses have less convection due to partitioning of the internal cavities or air trapping by down feathers or synthetic insulation.
The advantages of manually inflated pads are that they provide good thickness and comfort. Moreover, they are lightweight and can be packed to a small size.
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Self-inflating
Self-inflating sleeping pads have open-cell foam in the internal cavity that enables self-inflation. They are popular among outdoor adventurers as they are lightweight and pack to a small size. These pads offer great comfort and insulation. And you know the best part? You can customize their firmness by adding or releasing air.
Although they are heavier and more expensive than simple foam pads, people prefer them because of the durability. -
Closed-cell foam sleeping pad
Lightweight, affordable, and durable, closed-cell foam camping mats are filled with tiny closed air cells. These closed-cell foam sleeping pads are folded or rolled up in a Z formation. They are immune to punctures and leaks. Closed-cell foam mats enhance insulation when placed under other types of pads. They can also be carried on the outside of the pack without causing any damage. You can also use them as sit pads. The problem with these camping pads is that they are not so comfortable. They are bulkier, and comparatively stiff and firm.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Sleeping Pad
The factors to be considered when choosing a sleeping pad are:
Insulation
In contrast to popular belief, sleeping pads are not warm. They just insulate you from the cold ground. Unless your mat insulates well, the cold ground will ruin all the warmth you generate. As a result, you won’t get a sound sleep amidst the cold outdoors. Look for a sleeping mat with an optimal R-value. This figure represents the resistance to heat loss value. It measures the resistance to warmth transfer. The higher the R-value, the better is the resistance to warmth transfer.
R-value is a measure of warmth transfer in a static test. If we consider air-filled pads, they wobble as you move. This leads to dissipation of the warmth incorporated in the pad. Hence, stable air pads insulate better. Self-inflating pads have innate stability. So, there is no question of warmth dissipation.
Here’s how you select the insulation level:
- Summers: R-value 0 to 2
- Cooler weather (down to a light frost): R-value 2 to 3
- Cold weather (hard frost): R-value 3 to 4
- Winter: R-value 4+
Weight and packed size
In a typical scenario, air-filled pads are better than self-inflating pads as they are lighter and pack down smaller. Ultralight pads are also available but they are more expensive. A mummy or tapered sleeping pad has low volume and packs smaller. Closed-cell foam pads in short lengths have less weight. So, if you are with another backpacker, include a two-person lightweight sleeping pad in your hiking and camping gear.
Shape and Comfort
On inflating the hiking sleeping pads, the footprint of your mat comes into the picture. A narrow mat helps save weight, of course. However, if your elbows don’t fit in and hang over the edge of the mat or touch the ground, you will feel cold and be uncomfortable.
Generally, women should go for sleeping pads narrower in the shoulder region and wider from the hip to the knee. So, they can accommodate a typical woman’s sleeping position, making them the best sleeping pad for side sleepers. Self-inflating pads are more supportive as they have a block of foam. On the other hand, air-filled pads are less comfortable than self-inflating pads. This is because self-inflating pads have a foam core that makes them more supportive and comfy. If comfort is your primary concern and weight doesn’t matter, self-inflating pads are the best bet for you.
Additional Features and Considerations
Besides inflation, width, length, and sleeping pad surfaces, you should consider additional features too, as discussed below:
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Pad Sleeves
An integrated sleeve in the sleeping bags help in holding a pad in place. As a result, you and your sleeping bag won’t slide off in the night. Whenever you buy a sleeping pad, first check the sleeve width.
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Hand pumps
Imagine having to blow air into the sleeping pad after hiking throughout the day. If that sounds a challenge, go for sleeping pads featuring an integrated hand pump. Alternatively, you can buy a bag-style hand pump that packs small and hardly weighs anything.
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Patch kits
Patch kits are essential for patching a puncture. If you are backpacking, it is a great idea to have such kits with duct tape and all other accessories that can help you repair a punctured sleeping pad.
Choosing Based on Specific Needs
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Car Camping
Self-inflating pads or thick air pads are advisable for car camping.
They provide enough cushioning and come with a wide range of available R-values. So, they are the most comfortable sleeping pads for camping.
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Backpacking or bikepacking or kayak and canoe touring
Air pad or lightweight self-inflating pads are used for backpacking or bikepacking or kayak and canoe touring. They are comfortable, lightweight, and are available in different R-values. The biggest advantage of these pads for backpackers is that they pack small.
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Minimalist backpacking
Minimalist backpackers use ultralight air pads like Thermarest sleeping pads as they are low weight and pack small. It is always recommended you check the packed sizes of your sleeping pads before making the decision to buy.
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Thru-hiking
Durability is a more important factor when you are thru-hiking. For such excursions, closed-cell foam pads are the most suitable option.
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Winter camping
Winter camping would mean camping on snow and enduring cold weather conditions. In such cases, you would need an insulated, high R-value sleeping pad. As R-value is additive, you can use a closed-cell foam pad under an insulated, moderate, or high R-value air pad or self-inflating pad. With the durable closed-cell foam pad, you can add insulation and keep the inflatable sleeping pads protected from punctures. You can also use it as a backup if the inflatable sleeping mattress is damaged and becomes irreparable.
Conclusion
A peaceful night’s sleep will recharge your senses and make the entire trip less exhausting for you. Choosing the right sleeping pads would keep you warm and cozy so that you can rest properly without feeling too cold. And if you are looking for some great sleeping mats, stop by Summit Hut to find the best match.
FAQs
1. What size outdoor sleeping pad do I need?
Choose a sleeping pad that accommodates your shoulders and hips. You should go for regular (72 inches length) and long (78-inch length) sleeping pads to insulate your legs and feet on chilly fall and winter trips. On the other hand, you can go for a short or ¾ length pad of 47 or 48 inches to save space in your luggage. If you are using the shorter sleeping pads, you can achieve insulation by placing folded clothing or your pack under the legs and feet.
2. What is the difference between R-value and temperature rating?
R-value is a scientific measurement. It is a standardized measure of a sleeping pad’s capacity to prevent heat loss. It serves as a measure of insulation. The higher the R-value, the better insulation from the cold ground.
Temperature rating, on the other hand, is the manufacturer’s estimate. It is the lowest temperature at which the sleeping mat would keep you warm. Lower temperature ratings imply that the sleeping mat can withstand colder conditions.
As a thumb rule, higher R-value translates to a lower temperature rating. R-value is a more reliable indicator of warmth when compared to temperature ratings.
3. How do I maintain and clean my sleeping pad?
To ensure the sleeping pad’s durability, keep it free from moisture to restrict the mold or mildew growth. Some outdoor enthusiasts use a pump sack or portable battery-powered inflation device to curtail the humidity levels in the pad. However, it is quite difficult to maintain 100% moisture-free sleeping pads. In such cases, you can follow a simple, air-dry, hanging method with opened valves to remove the moisture.
If the sleeping pad starts looking grimy, just follow these easy steps:
– Use a wet and/or soapy cloth to wipe down the sleeping pad’s surface. Use mild, non-detergent soap and do not let water enter into the valves. Keep the valves closed. Do not machine wash or dry your pad.
– Air dry your pad flat or on a clothesline with open valves in such a way that direct sunlight doesn’t harm the sleeping pads.
– After the pad dries up completely, store it outside of its stuff sack flat or roll it loosely in a cool, dry place. Store the sleeping pad with valves open.