While shopping for new sleeping pads, keep in mind some common guidelines here. When backpacking, we suggest that inflatable pads or self-inflection pads (although they are usually heavy) suggests to stick to, which provides the best insulation and cushioning for size and weight. Whatever you have to find the best hot-to-wisdom ratio, your goal is always to find the best hot-to-one. Excess heat means more weight. Keep in mind the following tips.
Learn your desired use. Every ounce matters, and so on packed shape. Small, light pads take less space in your pack and are very good for a through-haik, where you are trying to reduce gear size to make space for food. Also, consider climate. If you plan to set up camps in Michigan, where the cold weather is all guaranteed, then you need a much more untouched pad to protect from cold ground temps compared to setting up camps in Everglades in August. Bonus Tip: Do not camp in Everglads in August.
know thyself. Everyone sleeps differently, and different pads will be better for different people. Are you a side sleeper that sleeps cold? Go for a thick pad with more insulation. Sleep in every way and always wake up hot? Get an ultralight pad that is cool, so your tossing and turning will not disturb your tent peers.
Consider your entire sleep system. The pad is the foundation, but how hot you will also be affected by your sleeping bag, pillow, even what base layers you bring. (Many people do not know this, but the sleeping bag temperature rating assumes that you are wearing a base layer.)
You may need two. Sleeping pads are not a size-fit-all solution. A mild pad that is perfect on Bami Summer Nights is not going to cut it in a alpine camp in the early spring. This can be attracted to just receive summer pads and bring a heavy sleeping bag in the spring, but it does not relax nights. A good sleeping pad means the difference between warm and resting or resting all night, even in the same sleeping bag. Trust us We do it, so you don’t have to do it.
Is the comfort keyI know that I joke about sleeping on small closed-cell-fomes, but now there is no need for it. This guide is proof that comfortable sleep pads are present and weigh next to nothing. Even though I really slept on the ground 35 years ago, but you could not pay me to do it now. Now I always bring almost two pads: an inflatable and a thin closed cell foam. The latter gives me a place to sit in the evening and adds a lot of heat and a no-slip sleep surface when I need it at night.
