Blow-up Sleeping Pads
Q: Is it worth it to buy a blow-up sleeping pad? If so, which one should I buy?
—Lucas the Sleeper, St. Bonifacius, Minnesota
A: Inflatable sleeping mats are definitely worth it, Lucas. While a solid, closed-cell foam mat is affordable, durable and lightweight, lots of guys find inflatable mats more comfortable.
One of the best entry-level inflatable sleeping mats is the Therm-a-Rest Trail Scout ($50). It weighs about 1 lb., 6 oz., is 1 inch thick and has an R-value of 3.4. (R-value is a fancy way of saying it will insulate you from the cold of the ground. The higher the R-value, the more insulation it provides.)
By comparison, the Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic ($20), a closed-cell foam mat, has an R-value of 2.6. Depending on the conditions, that extra insulation might be important.
Inflatables are much less bulky than foam, also
For new scouts I really shy away from these self inflating pads and recommend the therma rest zlite instead. Most young scout have trouble packing them because they can’t get all the air out, but they can fold up a zlite in about 2 second. They are also less than half the weight.
I believe in the inflatable however after many years of scouting and backpacking i find that 1 inch of air just doesnt cut it. Spend a few extra bucks and get one that has individual air pockets. They kind of look like a pool float. Some offer the same r rating as the foam and give you roughly 3 inches of pad to rest on for half the weight and 1/4 of the pack size!
Depends on your activity. If it’s for summer camp, the closed foam mats over the cot provides more comfort and aren’t as hot. If you are hiking then the lighter the better. I use klymit inflatable pads as they are light and fold up quite nicely and are durable. If you are an adult and side sleeper, the more distance between you and the ground the better.
As far as inflatables go, I like sleep number 😉 Really, I agree it depends on conditions and age. Any comfort is a good thing, you’ll sleep better.
As for tents, again it depends. If you are hiking, think light weight. For a base camp the Scout camps around here use a good one. Very heavy and durable canvas with wood floor boards. It’s old school, but sometimes old school is good!
Tents rarely will give you a noticeable thermal protection besides the obvious. I always tell Scouts and Scouters to be aware of the camping conditions they’re heading into. Most sleeping pads, especially Therm-a-rest, have the R-rating on the packaging.
As an ASM I would recommend the Exped Mega Mat for car camping. Its a DREAM to sleep on. Well worth the $. Most of my boys hammock, but the ones who do tent, use the classic.
As a scout leader, I would recommend closed foam pads for younger scouts. They are almost indestructible and carefree. For older Scouts, the inflatable mats might be useful, but the foam mats work fine.
What is the best tent you can ever buy?
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