Sleeping Pads Question

[buzz05232000]

What are the cheaper alternatives to the Therma-Rest pads?

They are quite expensive, thought I would ask here.

Don't kill me because I didn't search, I am new here, be nice.

[HeyDad]

Wal-Mart carries one made by Coleman. I've never used it so I can't say if it's any good or not, but it certainly much less expensive.

[natchez]

Hi buzz05232000 welcome to the forum :)

What is expensive? I mean, not being from the U.S. I'd like to get an idea :blush:

[GDeadPhans]

hello Buzz#######. Well, yea, what is expensive? Also, be weary that if you use some stuff from Walmart (or just cheaper stuff), it tends to not pack so small, or work as well as the more expensive items. So perhaps spending the extra 30 bucks is well worth it.

[tater]

Can't offer a review, but I am looking at the Big Agnes Air Core. It is an inflatable, so should be quite small and light when packed. Also only $45 or so.

[swoosh]

i have the big agnes aircore and highly recommend it. it's 2 1/2 inches of sheer comfort and packs really small (think the size of a 1L nalgene). it only takes 2 or 3 min to blow up. i also recommend getting the insulated aircore. the plain old aircore will be kind of cold unless you carry a closed cell for insulation

[Hiker08]

They are expensive, but worth the price in comfort. To save a few bucks and some space, buy one that is smaller in length (one that suports you from head to waist--no need to have extra pad under your legs). Their light, and easy to roll up. The salesman at the REI store showed me their brand of pad which was cheaper, but it was also twice the weight. For me, every ounce I can shed is better.

[Inja]

Depending on the climate I am sleeping in, I have found that "air mattresses" are largely unnecessary.

In fact, I now (except for cold weather/winter trips*) leave my ThermaRest air mattress at home and now take along closed-foam pad like the RidgeRest.
I like it even more because it is MUCH more durable and I use it to sit or lie around camp outside the tent without risk of puncture or fire damage.
I can set the mat on a log, rocks, whatever surface if I want to take a load off outside the tent.

It depends on the primary function of your mat.
A)comfort
B)Insulation

*I DO take the air mattress along as an added insulating layer from conduction heat loss in the winter.

[Levi_cole]

I use a Thermarest, and I have to say that it was worth every cent I paid for it. It gives great comfort and is warm. It was great on a recent camping trip when I slept in a $9 hammock from wall Mart. It kept the side of me facing the ground nice and warm and added additional comfort as well. I have also used the thermarest in a tent on an uneven surface and slept through the night. So I feel it was worth it, considering I tried other brands and types of pads I didn't like. But it all depends on your preference.

[Tayous1]

HeyDad wrote:

Wal-Mart carries one made by Coleman. I've never used it so I can't say if it's any good or not, but it certainly much less expensive.

I bought one for my wife last camping trip we took opened it up had to blow it up then about a hour later it was as flat as when I took it out of the box. Not sure if I got a dud but I think with a sleeping pad you should save up and get a good one!

I just rank sleep up there with having a good pair of boots. If you have bad boots you will not be hiking long the same goes if you have a few bad nights sleep.

[Tayous1]

HeyDad wrote:

Wal-Mart carries one made by Coleman. I've never used it so I can't say if it's any good or not, but it certainly much less expensive.

I bought one for my wife last camping trip we took opened it up had to blow it up then about a hour later it was as flat as when I took it out of the box. Not sure if I got a dud but I think with a sleeping pad you should save up and get a good one!

I just rank sleep up there with having a good pair of boots. If you have bad boots you will not be hiking long the same goes if you have a few bad nights sleep.

[sweadboy]

I would advise the therm-a-rest Z-to anyone reading this and lookin for a good very light pad. I am not a fan of the inflatables. it is about 35 dollars.. but! i love it because IT DOUBLES AS A SEAT/SITTING PAD!!! it folds up like an accordion you can pull it out on breaks lean part of it against a tree and sit on another part and if your short you can fold the it up a flap or two by the head and have some elevation. good pad i heart it!

http://www.rei.com/product/708517

[bdavison]

I never really used pads, but made my own from a big spacebag and some foam. It worked pretty well...but recently I got a Therm-a-rest Ultralight... it shrinks down to the space of a football, and really works well.

[kawasa]

I prefer the Big Agnes. It was a lot cheaper and it's a lot smaller and I can't imagine the thermarest being more comfortable, the BA is GREAT!

[JayMMM]

I have a coleman from Wal-Mart and would not reccomend it. Slowly loses air overnight and heavier then the better air pads. Seems I'll never learn I'll get what I pay for.

[nephlyte]

Agreed. That coleman pad is nice and cheap. But its heavier than others. And it takes up a lot of space, since it doesn't compress down too small (and i don't even have the full size one, just 3/4).

I would not suggest it. Just wait for another paycheck and get a step up from the coleman one.

[gungasden]

Anyone have experience with the Pacific Outdoors Thermo6. It's an insulated aircore pad. I just picked up one from REI to use instead of my ultralight Thermorest. The 2.5 inch thickness should prove nice.

[swoosh]

the 2.5" airmats are the bomb. i think the POE is pretty well rated. make sure you report back w/ some 1st hand experience