Hiking

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. . . The Right Sleeping Pad Can Make All The Difference For a Good Nights Kip

Sleeping pads have two major functions, “jobs” if you like, they serve two purposes in life (when you’re hiking or back country camping that is) and that’s:

1. cushioning and
2. insulation

You might think that #1 cushioning is the most important function in a sleeping pads job, but I’ll remind you of that when you’re freezing your bits off at 3 am whilst I’m warm and toasty on my insulated sleeping pad. No, I can’t roll over a bit, you should have thought about that when you were choosing your sleeping pad in the hiking equipment store, the man did try to tell you that color is of the least importance when it comes to sleeping pads  . . . honestly, the nerve of some back packers. You see, the floor can be a mighty cold place to sleep, unless you have an insulated sleeping pad that is!

Different Types of Sleeping Pads To Choose From

• Air Pads – need manual inflation so be sure to save a little puff whilst you’re hiking up those trails. The air provides the cushioning you need for a comfortable nights sleep. They’re lightweight and comfortable and great for backpacking or hiking trips in warm conditions. If you splash out a little more for an insulated air sleeping pad you can use it all year round. You do have the potential of your air pad bursting, but they’re not really difficult to repair, even in the field on a hiking trip.
• Self Inflating Air Pads – are a little more expensive but great for those who have generally run out of puff by the time they get to a suitable camping site on their hiking adventure, all you have to do is to open up the valve and hey presto, as if by magic your sleeping pad inflates.  They do roll up into a very compact and lightweight parcel so don’t make a big impression on the weight of your backpack. You might want to watch this to get a few tips on how to de-flate your self inflating air pad and get it back into the stuff sack . . .

You see, it’s easy when you know how . . . just run that by me again!

• Foam pads – have been the basic sleeping pad for generations of back packers and hikers . . . they’re lightweight, they’re relatively cheap,  they offer good insulation and don’t absorb water. On the downside they can be a bit bulky and stiff and are not quite as comfortable as the super duper latest air sleeping pads.
• Air Mattresses – are great for those who like to live for a while in the great outdoors with all the comforts of home. They’re comfortable but they’re big, bulky and heavy so are not suitable for back packing or hiking,  only for car camping or family trips, you know, when you make a base camp and it stays there for the duration of your stay.

Which Sleeping Pad Is Right For Me

Sleeping pads do come in various styles and designs, and you need to choose the best sleeping pad for your needs depending on exactly what sort of hiker or backpacker you really are. Let’s start with the extreme outdoor types, those who like to travel ultralight into the most far-out places they can find:

• Long distance hikers & minimalists – the lightest possible sleeping pad available is just a basic foam sleeping pad, or a 3/4 length self inflating air pad might do the trick. For these backpacking types their main concern is low weight and small to carry. Some ultralight backpackers become completely obsessed with cutting down on the size and weight of their packs.
• Normal backpackers & hikers – hey, there’s nothing normal about us you know . . . but I know what you mean. Many backpackers do put comfort a little higher on the list than weight, they are willing to trade off carrying just a few extra ounces (or even pounds) in search of a really good nights sleep. Thicker pads offer more comfort, and more weight for hikers who like it that way . . .
• Car campers, boat and family campers – the campers who don’t have to carry their entire camp-site on their backs for 12 hours every day between mountain trails . . . if you’re not limited to the amount of weight and size of your package then you can opt for something bigger and thicker for extra comfort.
• Winter / Cold Weather Campers – camping in the winter time is a completely different animal to hiking, backpacking and camping in the summer time . . . with a whole lot more things to consider. If you’re camping on the snow you really need to have more insulation as a top priority. Many winter hiking and backpacking experts recommend that you use 2 sleeping pads on such occasions, with an air pad placed on top of a well insulated foam pad. The foam pad will not only provide much needed insulation but also act as a back-up if your air sleeping pad bursts when you’ve forgotten your puncture repair kit.

Testing Your Sleeping Pad

Don’t be afraid to try before you buy . . . go on, don’t be shy, go to your hiking equipment store and get all of the sleeping pads rolled out on the floor, then lay on them. You won’t be the first hiker or backpacker to do the lay and roll test, and you certainly won’t be the last. Go on, don’t be shy, you wouldn’t think twice about jumping on a mattress in a bedroom furniture store would you. You and your sleeping pad could have many happy nights together . . . just so long as you choose the right sleeping pad for the job.

Be honest, did you watch that video right to the end? I must confess that by about 4 minutes I’d lost the will to live . . . lots of great information but not a very entertaining delivery. Sorry mate . . . I’m just saying it like it is!

Sorry about that, I know the water bed is not suitable for camping, it’s certainly not suitable for hiking or backpacking but I just needed a laugh . . . and I’m sure you did too!