Buying a Sleeping Pad for Your Sleeping Bag
An excellent sleeping bag with a temperature rating
suited for your particular outdoor adventure is crucial to you keeping warm
and safely enveloped in your own body heat at the end of the day.
In terms of providing comfort and protection from the often hard,
uneven ground, however, many sleeping bags simply aren't able to cope.
This is because most insulation and cushioning is found at the top
layer of the bag, and also because a person’s weight on the bottom layer
tends to crush any bottom insulation, making it less effective.
Consequently, many seasoned outdoorsmen purchase a handy accessory, a
sleeping pad, which some may even consider essential.
Basically, it is a large rectangle of padding made from foam, plastic
or some other material that is suitable for protecting your back from rough
and sharp objects that may poke into your sleeping bag.
It also serves as an additional layer of insulation, separating your
bag from the cold ground, where heat can easily transfer away and place you
in an uncomfortably chilly situation.
There are a number of different types of sleeping pads on the market.
Which one you decide to purchase will depend on your own individual
preferences for portability, durability and comfort.
- Portability
– essentially, this is how easy it is to carry the sleeping pad around.
Remember that, while a heavy and large sleeping pad may just be
the equivalent of your bed mattress at home, you’ll be struggling with
lugging it around throughout the entire excursion.
Choose a pad that you can transport easily along with the rest of
your packed items.
- Durability
– choose a sleeping pad that won’t rip apart or get ruined quickly
once it is exposed to the ground and the elements.
As the barrier between you and a cold, uncomfortable surface, it
must be strong enough to endure these conditions and provide you with
support.
- Comfort
– the first two considerations are going to be worth little if you feel
like you’re sleeping on a wooden board.
Make sure your back is given sufficient cushioning and
protection.
The types of sleeping pads available, for your
selection, are as follows:
- Air
Mattresses – considered by many to be the best overall in terms of
comfort quality, these are a good option if weight and space don’t
matter, as they are also the bulkiest types of pads and typically
require a pump or air compressor to inflate for suitable use.
Also, they are susceptible to puncturing, so they may not be good
for particularly rocky or abrasive areas.
- Foam –
these sleeping pads are made of porous material, and are among the most
lightweight of your choices, although they can be quite large.
They can be compressed into a smaller space with some effort,
though, and offer a decently comfortable and warm surface.
- Self-Inflating
Pads – these pads provide the advantages of both foam pads and air
mattresses, as they are relatively lightweight and are not as vulnerable
to punctures and tears. The pad
expands once it is laid out, and can be rolled back into its original
position after use.
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