How To Choose A Sleeping Pad

[@xXdwsizevilXx]

Definitely enjoyed this video, it was very informative. As someone new to backpacking I appreciate the attention to detail that this video had as well as the variety of options shown.

[@SierraOfficial]

+Darryl Sawyer Glad we could help Darryl. Thanks for watching. :) - Chris

[@Plissken68]

please remember that any nylon inflatable pad is going to be slippery! Combined with placing your nylon sleeping bag on top of could make for a very slippery situation.

[@silverfoxes65]

Nice review, but there is one additional feature to be considered. Can your pad be converted into a chair?. That is where the Therm-a-rest self inflating pads and chair kit come in. Once you have discovered how comfortable it is to sit in these chairs, and when you go to bed, just unfold it and sleep on it, you will love it.

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

i don't care about comfort, i just want the most insulative pad for winter camping. Would a foam pad be best?

[@eturnerx]

That was intense.

[@SierraOfficial]

Indeed! Thanks for watching Emmanuel. :) - Chris

[@Eric-ew8jt]

I use a close cell foam pad (Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Mattress)in conjunction with my insulated Sleeping pad(Teton Sports). It gives me a total R-Value of 6.6

[@Docprepper]

I learned about the R-value. Haven't heard of that and it's the main reason I appreciate this video. Thank you

[@GEKWINS]

Lousy sleep takes so much fun out of backpacking, as a side sleeper the Z-lite just doesn't work so I got a self inflater. Camping is fun again!

[@echo1er]

You are right about the side sleeping. I want to love the z lite price and weight. But my hips don't forgive me in the morning hike.

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

Thumbs up! The Z-lite has been my goto sleeping pad for many years and this pad is super strong and light! Yes, it can be a bit bulky but hey, when you live in the Southwest desert, an inflatable sleeping pad just can't hold up well to the thorns and cactus. I've tried my best to use the inflatable because they are VERY comfortable, but I always get cactus or goatheads or something sharp and stickery and my inflatable sleeping pad ends up destroyed.

[@SierraOfficial]

Good point! Some situations definitely make the trusty closed-cell foam sleeping pad the best choice. Thanks for watching The Southwest Backpacker! :) - Chris

[@IntenseAngler]

The Southwest Backpacker Thanks Matt! Couldn't agree with you more by the way.. a good closed-cell pad is worth it's weight in gold. I do have to admit that the older I get the more I tend to bring along a lightweight self-inflating pad as well to throw on top of my foam one for the extra cushioning (and increased warmth during the colder weather trips). Hope all's well over your way my Brother!

[@TheSouthwestBackpacker]

IntenseAngler Hey John! That's a great idea! I'm going to try an inflatable over the z-lite on my next overnight backpacking trip. The z-lite would make a great barrier of protection from the thorns and cactus I can relate to the ground getting "harder" and "rougher" as the years go by. I got out this weekend and slept on a sand dune under the stars and it was AWESOME...except when I got up in the morning, I was feeling stiff and sore. LOL Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas Brother!

[@IntenseAngler]

The Southwest Backpacker Sleeping out under the stars in the desert sounds awesome to me right now man! Bet that was an EPIC night for sure! Count me in for the next one buddy ;) Yeah, you definitely gotta give the closed-cell/inflatable combo a try btw.. makes a world of difference! I use a little 3/4 length inflatable that weighs all of about 10 ounces... the Nemo Zor I believe (it's the one in the grey and yellow stuff sack in the vid). After all the trips in the high desert country here, I can't count the times I've pulled thorns and stickers out of my Z-lite and still not a single puncture in the inflatable :) Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas to you too my Brother!

[@GEKWINS]

I just backpacked at White Sands, It was so awesome, go if you can!

[@shrimpdynamics4003]

bought a self inflating mat for about 30 bucks and it is really good and comfy, it doesnt take up that much space if you roll it tight enough

[@echo1er]

nice what brand did you get?

[@Woodenarrows]

Good informative video. I now have all three types so I can take my pick, depending on the trip.

[@badmedgirl]

Great video

[@05Rudey]

When I go camping, I have a foam matt and a 3/4 self inflating pad, very comfy and warm when both combined, but if I go on a day hike, or a hiking over nighter I just pack the self inflating pad because of space issues.

[@austinburns4213]

Same here.

[@philippfolkerts6120]

Great and unbiased review, I subscribed to your channel due to this video!

[@0zthehikingsailor]

Short, sweet and to the point. Well done eh.

[@sebastianHG__]

im going on a bike tour in southern chile, it would be crazy to take a self inflatable mat and and a classic foam mat, for isolation and cushoning matters?

[@bigbywolf6510]

What do you recommend for a side sleeper?

[@1FAST91SONOMA]

Qomotop self inflating. They're big and heavy though. 4" thick and very comfortable. It's for you to decide what you want to carry but if backpacking is your goal I'd look into a thicker air mat, something like Thermarest offers maybe. They have self inflating options and air options, both quite compact. The qomotop is not very compact or light in comparison but it is extremely comfortable

[@stephenimsong3462]

What would you recommend for a firm pad, not necessarily cushy. Im leaning towards a self inflating for this reason, as it seems it has the least give.

[@elisahill6583]

Very late.. but self inflating

[@waitthere1813]

Hi. I'm thinking about spreading tarps both outside on the ground and inside the tent, and after that, kids foam tiles, and I'm going to use two sleeping bags for 30~50FC(I'm moving by a car to camp sites so volume and weight is not a big deal). Do you think this will work for Grand Canyon in september?

[@o.i.5399]

Generally, kids foam tiles have junctions, and these junctions work as cold bridges, so, unless you put it in two layers, overlapping the lower junctions completely with another tile on top, it will not work in a cold setting.

[@ToddDragonflyHikerBeal]

great comparison

[@gwmtnbiker]

I'm a 47 year old side sleeper who was planning on getting a z-lute foam pad. Would you assume that my hips will regret this purchase?

[@treewisemonkey2077]

gary modine Yes, I am a 51 year old side sleeper and am comfortable with a self inflating pad.

[@gwmtnbiker]

treewisemonkey How about a closed cell foam pad?

[@rogerlamb536]

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Inflatable pad please check this out. I am 265lbs muscular build and I am a stomach, side .back all thru the night sleeper, you will like this pad

[@woodyw9470]

Gary, your best bet is an insulated air pad, foam pads aren't the best for side sleeps as your contact points (Shoulders and Hips) that will normally compress a foam pad to the point of 0 comfort. Id look into a vertical baffle pad if your a side sleeper like myself.

[@echo1er]

Yes.

[@MrZimmaframe]

I prefer sleeping on the skin of my enemies, light weight, very inexpensive and very durable

[@sarahh9058]

MrZimma frame 👏👏👏I literally praise you.

[@RafaelHA2010]

Jajaja best comment in here jajaja

[@erectlocution]

Perhaps not durable enough to have protected them.

[@alexanderlively2729]

I like to sleep on my side and I want to do some cold weather camping in the winter I am 5 feet 7 inches wich one do you think would be the best can you give me a model and compony if so that would be great. I also like a fair amount of comfort but I want it to be relatively light weight I would like to spend up to 70 bucks

[@SierraOfficial]

+Alexander Lively For the weight, price and comfort I'd look at something like the Therm-a-Rest Basecamp: www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/camp-and-comfort/basecamp/product There are certainly lighter pads out there, but they often don't have as high of an R value (if they do, they're usually more than $70). No matter which pad you ultimately choose, I'd recommend getting one with an R-value of 5 or above, especially if you're going to be heading out in freezing temperatures. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching! :) - Chris

[@cgmislive]

Ultra light cot sub 3 lb is a option to

[@sunbliss4541]

Very helpful, many thanks...

[@norbertojr.esteller1267]

Thank you sir

[@mychongck]

Great tip!

[@ronanrogers4127]

Suptable to puncture, or susceptible?

[@junchaoli45]

If I wont to get a video like that how can i do?

[@SpiffyguyAdventures]

Thermarest Xtherm LARGE. 5.7 R value, 25 inches wide and 19.5 ounces. Covers me all year long. It is expensive, but quite nice. I have a video on it over on my channel. Highly recommend.

[@azsamsasho]

the best presenter

[@erictesol]

John is a rock star.

[@lu.ciel8770]

Very informative! Just subscribed ;]

[@SierraOfficial]

Thanks! We hope you enjoy our future content. Glad to have your support. Thanks for watching. :) - Chris

[@asquirre]

HEY JOHN!!!!

[@IntenseAngler]

Hey there my friend! Hope all's well! :)

[@jamesduprey2719]

What about insulating you from the hot ground? Comments? Thanks for the video. Appreciate it.

[@05Rudey]

Hammock.. :)

[@05Rudey]

Joking aside, get a SOL survival blanket, one side is orange and the other side is silver, lay it silver side down and it will reflect the heat away from you keeping the orange side cool, especially if you have your shelter up for a while keeping the sun rays at bay. You would be surprised how quick the ground will cool once denied heat source, you might find at night, you would want to flip the SOL survival blanket silver side up to reflect your body heat back up for warmth..

[@pierreblaise9433]

Foam all the way mainly because it s always ready

[@TheRaym]

Get a hammock with a underquilt

[@spencercobby-smith4887]

What we're all of the pads names in this video

[@SierraOfficial]

The pads shown are the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite, & the Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp pads. - Chris

[@echo1er]

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite is the close foam which folds. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite which is the top of them all holding a r value of 5.7

[@tridalewest2330]

Gosh Napoleon, don't be jelous that I've been sleeping on sweet camp pads all day

[@usernameuser5573]

Wait, my pad is self-inflating?? Damn son, I've been blowing that shit for years for no reason

[@echo1er]

same here. It speeds up the process

[@alex09696]

Manual inflating pads develop mold on the inside....just hold it up to light after a few uses....disgusting. Get self inflating instead.

[@SierraOfficial]

Pumps can prevent the mold issue. If you have a trash bag, then you can use it to fill your sleeping pad with air as well. The moisture from breath is the big culprit, so looking into other ways of inflating these pads can be worthwhile. While the self-inflating sleeping pads are great, they do tend to be a bit heavier. As with anything, there are trade-offs, but you bring up a good point. Thanks for watching. - Chris

[@auloaasmaa]

Alex09 Additionally the moisture from breath dissolves the internal structure / glue thus causing "bumps" to appear on the surface of the mat. Not immediately, but I have experience with that, so I thought it being worth noted.

[@JogBird]

that thermarest is noisy af

[@symmetry08]

also if you have car with a lot of rooms then....

[@patrickroberts7502]

Cranberries The

[@joapps8135]

why not provide the r value of the pads shown??? smashed the dislike

[@echo1er]

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad R value is at 5.7 Therm-a-Rest Z Lite 2.6 I really want a xtherm but here in Las Vegas it get real hot so I ended up with the Z lite. but found out my hips don't like that so I'm upgrading my be to Klymit Static V Lite Insulated Sleeping Pad which says its 4.4 but have read other websites it can be 4.7. But lucky for me I'm a hot sleeper.