High Sierra Topix

Hi gang,

I'd like to get an idea of what you all think is a good sleeping pad in the back-country. I'm 61 and the really thin pads mean sore hips and pretty crappy sleep. What works for you?

Here is one thread of several thread: http://www.highsierratopix.com/communit ... eeping+pad

Klymit Static V Lite Insulated works great for me, I'm 60.

John

I've tried them all. The last few have been Exped. I have left behind/sold Thermarest NeoAirs and Klymit pads for various reasons, none of them having to do with durability...

Big Agnes is ok but the Insulated Air pads are noisier than any other. The Q Core line is pretty good. I haven't yet tried the new Axl though I may do so if the current inflatable bites the dust. I have thoroughly worn out the Exped Synmat.

I abandoned air pads decades ago. Foam pads seem to be much more reliable for me. I use a Gossamer Gear foam pad, torso length. However, part of that is because of the way that I carry my bear canister. I wrap the pad around the bear canister and tie it with a strap. Then that whole burrito gets dropped vertically into my backpack. So, in one respect, the pad acts as the structure to fill out the backpack and pads the back panel. Beyond the torso length for sleeping, I use a smaller piece of thin foam, which is actually used on the inside floor of the backpack.

For many people a 2cm thick foam pad isn't comfortable. The OP writes, "thin pads mean sore hips and pretty crappy sleep", so he's also in that group.

So that leaves the inflatables. When they work they're wonderful. But, yeah, they are are fragile, or heavy, or both. And they're expensive. You can always double or triple up on foam if you don't mind a humongous roll and the extra weight. But with care an inflatable pad can serve you well... for a while at least.

longri wrote:For many people a 2cm thick foam pad isn't comfortable. The OP writes, "thin pads mean sore hips and pretty crappy sleep"

There are ways around that problem that some of us discovered decades ago. It's partially a training issue.

bobby49 wrote:

longri wrote:For many people a 2cm thick foam pad isn't comfortable. The OP writes, "thin pads mean sore hips and pretty crappy sleep"

There are ways around that problem that some of us discovered decades ago. It's partially a training issue.

Wait until you are 70! Even the best mattresses at home don't aleviate the pain in hips and shoulders. Pretty much tied to ultralight inflatables for comfort and limited weight carrying ability.

oldranger wrote:

bobby49 wrote:

longri wrote:For many people a 2cm thick foam pad isn't comfortable. The OP writes, "thin pads mean sore hips and pretty crappy sleep"

There are ways around that problem that some of us discovered decades ago. It's partially a training issue.

Wait until you are 70! Even the best mattresses at home don't aleviate the pain in hips and shoulders. Pretty much tied to ultralight inflatables for comfort and limited weight carrying ability.

Just got back from another trail crew weekend. I usually carry the hammock. When you're sawing stuff and digging and flinging branches around all day (red fir branches can weigh 50-80 lbs all by themselves) there's absolutely nothing like a hammock, in which you can stretch and bend in ways that a pad won't let you, and that underquilt moves right along with you keeping you warm...

I'm taking the inflatable when I'm going where hammocking is less practical (not impossible, just not practical) but it's not quite the same.

AlmostThere wrote:

oldranger wrote:

bobby49 wrote:

longri wrote:For many people a 2cm thick foam pad isn't comfortable. The OP writes, "thin pads mean sore hips and pretty crappy sleep"

There are ways around that problem that some of us discovered decades ago. It's partially a training issue.

Wait until you are 70! Even the best mattresses at home don't aleviate the pain in hips and shoulders. Pretty much tied to ultralight inflatables for comfort and limited weight carrying ability.

Just got back from another trail crew weekend. I usually carry the hammock. When you're sawing stuff and digging and flinging branches around all day (red fir branches can weigh 50-80 lbs all by themselves) there's absolutely nothing like a hammock, in which you can stretch and bend in ways that a pad won't let you, and that underquilt moves right along with you keeping you warm...

I'm taking the inflatable when I'm going where hammocking is less practical (not impossible, just not practical) but it's not quite the same.

If there aren't any trees close enough together, it's definitely not very practical. I spoke with a guy from the east who had brought a hammock with him. He said the trees are much closer together, and the ground much wetter back east where they are more popular (and practical). He couldn't find two trees close to each other that were within 200 yards of the rest of his group.

John