I think everyone overrates those $400 ultralight sleeping pads

Maybe it's just me but I've been using a $40 foam pad from Walmart for the last 3 years and it still works fine on rocky ground in the Smokies. People keep saying you need that inflated R-value for cold nights but I slept just fine at 28 degrees last November with my foam pad and a good bag. Idk, are we sure these expensive pads aren't just a comfort thing rather than a necessity? Has anyone else stuck with a basic foam pad for a long time?

3 comments

3 Comments

harper_foster9d ago

...and honestly I think that whole R value thing gets blown way out of proportion for most people. I did a week long trip in the White Mountains last fall where temps dropped to around 25 and I was on a cheap foam pad the whole time. Never once woke up cold. The trick is pairing it with a bag that actually fits you right and not skimping on the ground cloth underneath to block moisture. I think the inflatable pads are great if you're a side sleeper or have back issues but for the average person who can sleep on a floor for a night they're just not worth the cash. I've taken my foam pad out on probably 40+ trips now and it's still going strong with a few duct tape patches on the corners where I dragged it over rocks.

drew559d ago

Man, you're totally right about this. I've been using the same closed cell foam pad for almost five years now and I've never had an issue down to about 20 degrees. People act like you need some high tech inflatable thing to survive one night in the cold but that's just marketing hype. I think a lot of those expensive pads are really just about comfort for side sleepers or people who can't handle a little ground feel. If you're not a fancy sleeper and you pair a basic foam pad with a decent bag you're golden for most three season trips. Honestly, I'd rather spend that extra money on better food or a lighter tent than something that just adds a little more cushion.

ninas678d ago

I get what you're saying but honestly I've been on both sides and I have to disagree a bit here. I used a foam pad for years and it worked fine in the summer but when I hit a 22 degree night in the Catskills I woke up shivering because the cold was seeping through the foam no matter how good my bag was. That R-value matters more when you're actually on the ground and the temp drops below freezing for real, not just a quick dip. A decent inflatable pad with an R-value around 4 kept me warm on those same trips without needing to stack layers, and my back appreciated it too after a long day hiking with 30 pounds on my shoulders.