Why is choosing the right sleeping pad important?
After a big day of hiking or climbing, one of the most important things to do to recover is to get a good nights sleep. Poor sleep just makes the next day harder, and the majority of people say the thing they like least about hiking and camping is having a bad sleep.
What are the main types of sleeping pads available and the pros and cons of each? There are three main types of sleeping pad - air, self inflating, and closed cell foam.
Closed cell foam is basically solid foam. Like a yoga mat or those old blue roll up pads that were used in the 80's. This is the most basic form of sleeping pad and is also the most durable (can't be punctured), as well as the cheapest. The trade-off is that its the least comfortable.
These days, closed cell mats are mostly used as a second mat, to go under another pad for protection or extra warmth.
Self-inflating pads use what is called open-cell foam. Soft foam which also holds air and is squishy, kind of like the yellow sponge used for the dishes!
When you open up the valve on the pad, air rushes in and fills up the space in amongst the foam to give the mat its structure. This mix of air and foam makes self-inflating pads pretty comfortable, and since the technology isn't so new anymore (they have been around since the 70's), they are cheaper than the high-tech air pads.
They can still be punctured but usually use tougher/thicker material than air pads so its less likely. The cons are that due to all the foam inside, they are a bit heavier and bulkier than an air pad.
Air pads have come a long way since the inflatable pool lilo. The materials used are lightweight and compressible, and the insulation is so thin. With advances in technology, some of these mats like the Thermarest X-Therm are warm enough to camp on snow and ice, but roll up smaller than most self inflating mats.
They are getting more and more comfortable as brands figure out different methods of construction, they are super lightweight, pack small, and can have a wide range of r-values or insulation (more on that later). The cons are that to make them lightweight, the material is more delicate than others, most are a little noisy (crinkly) to sleep on, and they are expensive in comparison to self inflating mats.
What factors should one consider when choosing a sleeping pad?
The first thing to consider in a sleeping pad is how warm you need it to be. The main job of a sleeping pad (apart from giving you something soft to lie on) is to insulate you from the ground. If you only camp in warm conditions, you wont need a highly insulated pad. They are heavier and more expensive than insulated pads, but if you sleep in colder climates then you will need more insulation. Read more here about Mastering the Art of Winter Camping
Right now, most pads that are small enough to carry in a pack range from 0-7 r-value. R-value is how much the material insulates you - the higher the number, the more insulation. If you don't sleep on snow and only want to have one pad to do it all, we usually recommend something around the 3.5-4 mark which will still be small, but warm enough for most conditions.
Next, choose your mat size. They come in different lengths and widths.
Generally, a regular length will be ok for users up to around 183cm, and a long or large will go to 198cm or so. Women specific pads also come in different sizes (usually shorter).
A regular mat width is usually 20 inches or 51cm. A wide is 25 inches or 64cm. Those intent on saving weight normally go a regular but wide mats are becoming so popular that some tent manufacturers are even starting to widen tents to fit 2 of these side by side.
If you aren't counting grams, a wide mat provides a much nicer sleep than a regular, in our opinion.
Next look at the pack size and weight. The less you have to carry in your pack the better, but it still needs to do its job. Brands use different materials and construction to others, so the size of the mat varies as does the price. Once you know your target r-value, have a look at the options in that bracket and see how small they pack down and what they weigh.
Then of course, comfort!
All of this tech talk means nothing if it isn't comfortable. A relatively basic way of telling how comfortable a pad will be at a glance is to check how thick it is. Pads range from 1cm up to around 10cm thick. Go thicker if you are a side sleeper especially to stop hips and shoulders touching the ground through the mat.
Brands use different construction techniques though which vary how a pad feels to sleep on, so if you can, go into a store and lie on a few.
How important is the R-value (insulation rating) of a sleeping pad, and how does it impact the choice? R-value is simply the insulating value of a material - in this case our sleeping pad (the stuff in the walls and roof of your house also has an r-value).
Most pads that are used for hiking range between 0 and 7. A pad with an r-value of 1 will be basically just a thin air pad with nothing inside, and a 7 would be either a pad with a lot of foam, or technical insulator like the silver sheets in the Thermarest Xtherm.
The R-value of a sleeping pad can vary depending on a number of factors. The materials that the pad is made from is one of the most crucial factors. Some materials, such closed-cell foam, have greater R-values than others because they are inherently superior insulators. R-values for other materials, such as open-cell foam or air, will be lower because they are less effective insulators. In saying that, recent advances in technology have allowed companies to add things like reflective sheets which are extremely lightweight, but work very well as an insulating material.
The R-value can also be impacted by the thickness of the pad. Since there is more material to insulate you from the ground with thicker pads than thinner pads, they will often have greater R-values. However, this can also depend on the foam’s density and type of substance.
Also to note is that R-value is cumulative. So if you stack a pad with an r-value of 2, with another pad with a 3, your insulating value is now 5. This is how you can turn your 3 season air pad, into a winter ready sleep system by adding a closed cell foam pad underneath to boost the warmth. You can read all about R-values in this article by our mates at Gear Geek: https://geargeek.com.au/all-about-r-values/
Choosing the right sleeping pad involves balancing various factors such as warmth, size, weight, comfort, and durability. By understanding the different types of pads and considering your specific needs and preferences, you can ensure a good night's sleep on your outdoor adventures.
Happy camping!
And don't forget, to keep your feet comfy while hiking make sure you have a bag of Blister Wool in the backpack!
Comments