A few people have written in and asked about sleeping pads over the last couple of weeks, so I thought I’d ask everyone else out in the cosmos what y’all sleep on when under the stars. For many years I used a blow up version of a pad and would always hate getting the air out while groggy in the morning. It wasn’t comfortable enough for all that trouble. So for the past couple of years, I trade off between a Ridge Rest and a Z-Lite (both of which are Made In The USA if you care about that kind of thang), depending on which one is the last to be snagged out of my trunk while friends put their packs together. Comfortable, light, easy. Perfect for spring and summer. And sometimes beyond.
**So, what do you use for a sleeping pad?**
I’ve been using a Thermarest Neoair on bike tours for about a year now and absolutely love it. It’s a bit of a pain to inflate/deflate, but the comfort-to-hassle ratio makes it worth the extra time and energy. I sleep better on that pad than I do in my bed at home. No problems with leaks or holes with somewhere around 100+ nights out. Weighs next to nothing and packs down to a ridiculous size, which is perfect if space/weight is an issue.
RidgeRest all the way. Been using them for 20 years or so. Always wanted a ThermaRest, but never bought one because of cost and I never much cared about the size … maybe this would change if I did more multi-day bike rides or paddling trips.
I’ve been using a Thermarest TrailPro Plus (in a short) for about 10 yrs. It’s short length makes it only a 3-season pad, but I love how light/small it packs up, and quite frankly my legs don’t miss the padding. For winter camping I use an ExPed Downmat. Super warm, compresses small.
I use the Big Agnes Air Core – paired back to a BA bag. Fits like a glove in the sleeve, so I stay on top of it throughout the night. 2.5″ deep, so it can be a lot to inflate when you’ve had a few, but it makes for a great nights’ sleep.
i use the zlite for its durability and lightness. I side sleep and its a little thin on hard ground, but otherwize i love this thing. packs easy, light, and doesnt pop.
i use the z-lite as well. but i cut mine in half because really my legs don’t need the sleeping pad the majority of the time and it cuts down on the weight even more.
I’ve been using the Prolite for about five years now. I wouldn’t go with anything else.
And with that, I think we’ve covered just about every Cascade Designs sleeping pad there is in these comments. Happy Trails.
Baby poop green army surplus foam pad. For those who’d rather buy beer than expensive pads. It doesn’t cost much. It will survive most heinous environments. You’ll never be TOO cold (or TOO comfortable). It’s pretty light, but it isn’t a Tempurpedic, and it won’t fold up into your tampons case.
I have a blue foam thing that my buddy gave me when I forgot my pad on our first trip. Works great but doesn’t stay rolled up very well.
The ridgerest is the go to if you need a pad. Light, cheap, and takes a beating. A sidenote question; I once borrowed a frame that you could load a ridgerest into and make a chair. It was old and had lost the labels. Anyone know where to find such a thing?
Ditto to no popping- that would be a bummer.
it’s all about the exped synmat 7! At almost 3 inces thick, it’s like sleeping in a bed. It has a built in hand pump, weighs 39 ounces, and my kidneys, shoulders and hips don’t hate me in the morning. Did i mention it comes with a seven year warranty?
I grew up with a series of grey ridgerests. All of which I obtained in the short size (to accomodate the torso and upper legs only)
In preparation for a 30-day trip to Alaska several years ago, I sprung for a bunch of lighter, more compact gear, including a therm-a-rest prolite pad–in short as well– mostly cuz of it’s tiny packdown size. In late August/early september, I found myself experiencing far more groundchill than I expected. It could have been my shitty Northface “ultralight blah blah blah” bag that wasn’t rated below freezing, but suffice to say I wasn’t that happy with the pad or bag and will look elsewhere for sleeping solutions in the future.
I second the Exped. I have a down mat about 3 years old, warm as all hell. Had a bad experience with a cheap Katmandu one that became unglued half way through a week long hike.
I agree, the Exped is yet to fail. If you want something that is comfortable and suitable for all seasons, Exped is the way to go. Great blog topic!
Ridgerest SoLite cut down to torso with a Gossamer Gear 1/8″ Thinlight
A short Prolite for most trips and when it’s really cold or I want to sleep really soft I pair that with a 10 year old Ridgerest.
Unfortunately, not just a foamer any more. Used to be a torso length Ridgerest was sufficient enough for a night of rest, now I pack a foam pad inside my pack as a “frame” and have a full length insulated air pad on top of that- my luxury item I guess.
Old Thermarest Trail Lite. I have a Z Lite, but at 230lbs I think I exceed the comfort weight limit. I will unknowingly roll off the Z-Lite in the middle of the night and not even notice because the ground is about as soft.
Gossamer Gear Nightliight and 1 advil pm
light and comfy