(Part 3) Best camping sleeping pads according to redditors
We found 438 Reddit comments discussing the best camping sleeping pads. We ranked the 156 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 41-60. You can also go back to the previous section.
If you are willing to give the wacky fucking thing a chance, the Klymit Inertia X-Wave can be had for $45.17 and weighs in at only 10.7oz. It gets hella small too.
I’m giving it a go this season because I like that’s it’s short but wide (restless side-stomach-everywhere sleeper) and will post some more detailed first impressions of this bizarro pad in the not-so-distant future...
$15.96 for MSR Alpine Stowaway Pot
30% off Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic
REI's Backpacking Tips for Beginners is a good place to start.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-beginners.html
You'll notice the first section is "Find an Experienced Partner". While this sub and others can give you a lot of advice, it's not a substitute for a partner who knows what they're doing. That doesn't mean you can't just go out and "wing it"... if you do, don't bite off more than you can chew. Better to take a few shorter overnights just to get used to things before heading out into the backcountry and having an epic. And I think you need a permits for Yos/Mammoth, so better look into that.
The REI list discusses shared gear and personal gear. Most likely an experienced partner is going to already own a tent, stove, cookware... but if it's just two of you with no gear, you'll have to pick up both shared and personal gear. How you want to split the cost is up to you.
The checklists are nice... but before you go out and buy everything on the list, make sure you will actually need them. Start with the basics; tent, bag, pad, pack, headlamp, FAK, maps & compass, stove, pot, utensils, shoes and clothing... and then go from there.
Here's the REI backpacking checklist:
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html
It's comprehensive, but remember you don't need everything on the list. It's pretty common for a beginner to go out and spend way too much money, and then start leaving stuff home as they find they don't need it on the trail.
REI is a great place to spend (a lot of) money. They've got very nice gear, and a great return policy if the gear doesn't work for you... but you'll pay full retail if you just walk in and buy the gear. With a membership, all full price items return 10% to you at the end of the year so it's not too bad, and they have seasonal 20% off coupons which do help. It's a good place to pick up a pack since they can help getting you one that fits, which goes a long way to a comfortable hike. Ditto with shoes, and you can try out mattress pads and see what's comfortable for you.
You can buy other things elsewhere like Amazon... but it's recommended that you go to a gear shop to try on packs (and buy it there to support the store).
Here are a few recommendations:
Pack - Gregory and Osprey are often recommended. For a beginner, 50L-60L is a good size. Don't get a 70L pack, you'll just end up bringing more gear than you need. Try the pack on, load it up with weights, and make sure it fits and carries well. Sometimes the REI packs will fit you better than others... if that's the case get the REI (and save a few bucks).
Tent - Huge range of products here. The Lynx is a decent starter tent for the cost. It'll probably last a few years, and by then hopefully you'll have more money and more experience and get something you like better.
Sleeping bag - If you can afford a down bag, that's great, they're lighter and pack smaller than synthetic bags. The Kelty Cosmic 20 is a good bag for the price.
Pad - Look at the basic inflatables (keep in mind the R-value if you're thinking of going later in the season) like the Thermarest ProLite. Some stick with foam pads like the Thermarest Z Lite pad to save money. Try them out and see what you like.
Stove - The MSR PocketRocket is ol' reliable. Lot of people have them, but the new MSR PocketRocket 2 is more compact and lighter. There are some cheap (< $15) stoves on Amazon, the Etekcity and BRS 3000T... people have been using them but they're small and more suited to people who are just boiling water for dehydrated meals rather than those who actually cook.
Cookset - Don't spend money on a 12 piece cookset...they're cool, but at some point you'll probably figure out you only need a shared pot and a mug for each person. And maybe a small fry pan. Depends on what you want to eat out there. Anodized aluminum is light and sturdy, but more expensive than other options. Titanium is super light, but doesn't disperse heat well so it's great for boiling water, but not so much for cooking non-liquid meals. Stainless steel is heavy but will last many years.
Spork - so many sporks out there... long handled spoons work better for getting food from the bottom of a packet.
Headlamp - Get a decent headlamp. Black Diamond Spot is a nice one, Petzl makes some nice ones as well.
Good luck!
I have the Klymit Static V. Better than a foam pad. Packs down small. Within your budget. https://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Static-Lightweight-Sleeping-Green/dp/B007RFG0NM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499701452&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=klymit+static+v
My "go to" is my Exped SynMat 7. Packs small. Very comfortable. Built in pump. But outside your budget but worth the money IMO. https://www.amazon.com/Exped-SynMat-Sleeping-Terracotta-Long/dp/B0018MC976/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499701508&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=exped+mat
The ground is turf on top of concrete, it’s bearable, but I HIGHLY recommend getting a camping style sleeping pad. You can get a foam one that folds really easily for less than $30 bucks. If your budget is higher and you want an actual camping inflatable mattress, you can find decent ones for under $60 that you can use to camp outdoors as well. I’ll link some here in a bit.
Edit: (These two that I am linking are decent, but I’m sure you can find a better deal if you search. Either a cheaper or higher quality pad for the same price) Foam pad
Air pad
is this it?
Aside - I'm an Eagle Scout, so I'm going crazy with "Be Prepared" and "pack lightly" conflicting.I wouldn't imagine there are too many emergency situations though, given the high volume of traffic.Name|Weight (ounces)|Size|Price
:---|:--:|:--:|---:
Thermarest Luxury Map Air|55 &#3232;_&#3232;|Regular|$81.53
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Air |14|Regular|$149.95
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Trekker|26|Large|$99.95
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Trekker|20|Regular|$96.83
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Trekker|???|Large Torso|$81.54
Therm-A-Rest Trail Lite|39|Large|$63.95
Therm-A-Rest Trail Lite|28|Regular|$59.95
Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest SOLite|19|Regular|$21.95
Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest SOLite|19??|Large|$29.95
just trail-runners, or both? And should I bring my 0* mummy and/or 50* fleece bags?
Thank you so much for your insight thus far, you've already helped me literally take off pounds in my pack.
EDIT - FORMATTING
Find a cheap and surplus sleeping mat, cut to fit, add duct tape.
Done.
It just so happened that a lot of Eureka stuff was on sale at the time I was shopping, so I look like something of a fanboy.
No idea - however Klymit does sell torso length versions of their pads and they are right in your price range.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005H43RCC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_Cy3JAbGNCKRW7
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BISRYG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_0y3JAbETSXSJ8
You can do a lot with a wool blanket if your sleeping surface under you is done right. Are you looking for wind protection with the moose skin? Are you sleeping in a tent or under a tarp, or just out in the open?
This video is from one of my favorite YouTube bushcrafters,. https://youtu.be/OUmY1uOSL28
He uses a wool blanket and a canvas tarp over a camping mattress air pad. He also says that it is not a very light weight system. But if you replaced that canvas tarp with a Cordura one it would work pretty great at half the weight. Plus you can use the tarp as an overhead tarp instead of a sleep bivy so its a two-for-one. That is bushcrafting gold :).
I've been using a wool blanket and the Teton foam camping pad (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FE25VY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;th=1) and Therm-a-rest camping pad (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HANOZRY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1). They all roll up together and are relatively comfortable above 45 degrees. Not exactly a light weight hiking setup, but something you could still strap on to your backpack and hike to a more stationary campsite. It certainly works great for camping and hunting on my property in Wisconsin. But when it gets really cold I still fall back on my huge warm sleeping bag. I am not awesome enough for moose hide! :)
The Argon .67 with side zipper is $90 IIRC. Seems like a smoking deal.
In most circumstances, I wouldn't be considering a cuben bivy. But I've already cut weight everywhere else I can think of - I'm currently experimenting with replacing my NeoAir with the Gossamer Gear 1/8" Thinlight pad or a torso-length Z Lite Sol in the name of saving a few ounces. It looks like the cuben-bottom bivy would save ~1.55 ounces over the silnylon-bottom version.
However, folks appear to be having good results using the silnylon version WITHOUT a groundsheet. The weight savings and convenience of leaving behind the polycryo is probably enough to offset the weight savings of the cuben. I wouldn't expect any cuben to last long between me and the ground without some sort of groundsheet for protection.
Hmm, in that case you might just have to get a bigger one and cut it down. The "small" size is $26 on Amazon right now which is pretty cheap in the grand scheme of outdoor gear.
I have a Thermarest Prolite X-Small.
I picked the X-small because I wanted to save space and just get something that goes from shoulders to hips. I've used it about 10 times, and like it. I keep it inside my bag so it doesn't move around.
Did I make a mistake?
If you're looking for cheap pads, I just bought (haven't gotten it yet) the trail scout on amazon. It's $31 and 14oz for the small- definitely a basic pad, but it has awesome reviews everywhere I looked.
Backpacker since the 1970s here. Recommend you substitute this for your sleeping bag and this for your shelter, OP. Delete the hammock and extra blankets. Add a simple foam pad to insulate you from heat losses into the ground. That combo will save you about $9, and will keep you warmer.
Select a real pack with a real hip belt from this list. Get black or gray. "Tacticool" packs will attract too much attention from local law enforcement if SHTF. Also if you want to test your gear on a backpacking trip (and you should), you will look like a more sane person on the trail. If you want gear that blends into the environment check out hunting gear, not paramilitary gear.
This is the pad FYI
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004YIA0YK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1451529816&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=SX200_QL40&amp;keywords=klymit+inertia+x+frame&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41ML681%2BoLL&amp;ref=plSrch
Tactical Olive Drab Mat
I use a very thin Thermarest air mattress camping, like this and it's pretty comfortable. You can let some air out once you are on it so you sink in better, or make it extremely firm. This style is similar to an egg crate, and collapses into a rectangle shape when not using, so that can be handy, it's more foam than air, so some people like it more, some less. Lastly, this style is just semi-hard foam, and rolls up for storage. It's about the same as the egg crate one, but with a different foam pattern. There are also some ultralight Thermarest air ones that break down really small and light, but they are pretty expensive.
I've slept on all of them and I'd say for comfort, the air inflating one is the most comfortable, and I've had mine for 5+ years with no issue. I have a patch kit for it, and (thankfully) haven't had to use it yet. If you are just going for budget, Wal-Mart and other sporting good stores sell blue roll up foam pieces for around $10 that are decent too, it gives a bit of padding and and some insulation from the floor at a great price.
Check thermarest, this is pretty much already a thing. Thermarest actually self inflates. I have two they are awesome.
http://www.amazon.com/Thermarest-Luxury-Map-Mattress-Blue/dp/B002PW8SBY
I use the Thermarest Trail Scout (regular length) and my husband has the same pad but in long. It has an R value of 3.4 and we find it comfortable, light, and packs down fairly small.
https://www.amazon.com/Therm-A-Rest-6430-Parent-Therm-a-Rest-Trail-Mattress/dp/B00HZ141IO
https://www.rei.com/product/865152/therm-a-rest-trail-scout-sleeping-pad
https://youtu.be/5R9sWvriSrw
There are many types of Thermarest pads. You may want to edit your post to say you have Ridgerest pads.
Your egg crate pad is a good idea. You might also try a memory foam mattress topper.
If you get an inflatable pad, go with an insulated pad unless you'll only do warm weather trips, and you might as well go for a 2 person pad. Here's one of the lower cost self inflating double pads.
https://www.amazon.com/CAMELSPORTS-Lightweight-Self-Inflating-Sleeping-Backpacking/dp/B07MFTFHHL/
If you go with a self inflating pad, I recommend getting a couple Walmart $7 blue foam pads to put beneath the self inflating pad. That will let you have a soft self inflating pad with the foam pad beneath it for when your pointy bits bottom out on the self inflating pad.
Ok, I assume you have a very, very low budget so here are some options for you:
So maybe $275-375 total cost before food and water? Man, that's still high...
Halfway considering something like this after reading the reviews:
HIKENTURE Double Camping Pad with Pump Bag Inflatable Air Mattress - Light and Compact - for Backpacking, Self-Driving Tour, Hiking, Tent(Navy Pumpsack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R8ZG8WT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_b3JFDbY516ZQ4
I use a super cheap foamy pad kinda like this one and an Enlightened Equipment Enigma quilt. For shelter I carry the Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout. Wish I could afford the Skyscape X... saving my pennies for that one maybe in another year or two.
No joke, the dish rags I use are paper thin. I wish I could find an example of them on Amazon. Maybe I'll get spunky later and upload a picture.
While we're recommending gear, I highly recommend snagging one of these. It's weighs 0.4oz, clips to anything, puts out a tremendous amount of light, practically indestructable, and the battery lasts forever. I keep one on my keychain all the time and it's my backup flashlight if my head lamp were to croak.
Also, your day pack is really heavy. What do you really plan on carrying? Something like this would save you a full half pound.
I used to lug around a full sized air mattress, a few months back it got a hole and I got this, which is MUCH better. It seems like it would be too thin but it's not. And $15!
Leyic Sleeping Pad - Self-Inflatable Camping Mat, Super Lightweight and Comfortable Tear Resistant Pad - Ideal for Camping, Hiking, Traveling and Outdoor Activities https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VW65TSL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_6ZsLDbX15YMCS
Thanks! Yeah I def like foxes, hopefully I haven't gotten too carried away with them, lol. I bought the mat off Amazon HERE It fits perfectly in the space I built and they offer several sizes. I have been using it for 3-4 months with no issue.
Wife and I use these teton sport sleeping pads, they have a velcro strip on the side which will attach another teton pad. https://www.amazon.com/TETON-Sports-ComfortLite-Regular-Inflating/dp/B009L1MSPE/ref=sr_1_40?s=outdoor-recreation&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468344387&amp;sr=1-40&amp;keywords=sleeping+pad
Both!
Therm-a-Rest ProLite Sleeping Pad in Extra Small for under your legs, with an underquilt. Mine is a Greylock 3 by JacksRBetter.
This way you can adjust the air fill under your legs (more spring or less spring), and if you have to go to ground you have a decent pad to use.
The Therm-a-Rest is also pretty light and compact.
+1 to the Q-core. I upgraded from another big Agnes pad to this one: Big Agnes - Q-Core Sleeping Pad 25x78x4 Silver/Gray, Wide Long https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ETPY4Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_YrZ1wb0RZ95NP
Pricey, but I've slept like a baby on it, and it's not much bigger than the one I had.
6'2", 270, side sleeper
I picked up this with one of their insulated pads and it is AWESOME. I was down to just boxers in 10F.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008PKMP3C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
It packs into a small one of these no problem:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XUM9WY/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Smaller than my summer bag actually.
You'll want an insulated ground pad since the sleeping bag doesn't have any down on the bottom just a pad sleeve.
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Agnes-Insulated-Q-Core-Sleeping/dp/B005ETPY4Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1397659166&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=big+agnes+insulated+q-core+pad
Not cheap but oh so very very warm.
EDIT: looks like it weighs quite a bit more than what you were planning on though....
Here is the link to the product.
http://www.amazon.com/Klymit-Inertia-Ultralight-Backpacking-Yellow/dp/B004YIA0YK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1449024172&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=klymit+inertia
i use this with, I just wrap up my sleeping bag around it, it is about the size of a soda can rolled up. Klymit Inertia Xl Camping Mattress
I plan to get something like this to prevent that problem. I think it will work, but haven't tried it yet.
I rock this guy. Specs say 1.2 lbs, I don't think it is that heavy. If you are packing in the cold, it serves as a nice pad to put over a heavier duty one.
Looks like a fancier version of a self inflating camping mattress. I have a Thermarest Luxury Map that is surprisingly comfortable. You aren't supposed to store them rolled up, but it does roll up small for transporting.