Sleeping pads

“Therm-A-Rest® Therm-A-Wrap™ 20


what are your ideas about this?”

“ridgerest”

“Therm-A-Rest® Backpacker ¾ Length Self-Inflating Mattress”

“ML, my view is that you spend practically as much time laying on the ground as you do on your feet hiking (unless you are on a death march).

If there is a place to "splurge" in comfort without regard to weight or volume,,it is sleeping gear.(within reason) I actually prefer a full length self inflating pad.”

“Leaf, ThermARest makes the best pads I have run across. If you're the diminutive sort, the UlraLite 3/4 will work perfect for you. Look for sales online and at EBAY, they can be expensive.”

“this is the one place I am willing to spend more money.
I now use a foam that weights almost nothing. But it is very uncomfortable.
I'd like to find something less then $50.00 and not weight to much.
Is that possible?
So i guess with the end of the season sales I might get lucky”

“Campmor often carries Thermarest seconds, but they are usally the very thin ones. These can be okay if you inflate them fully. A 3/4 will probably be fine for you.

I use a Slumberjack Airlite Shorty, it's a little longer than the Thermarest 3/4, and very light. I stuff some extra clothes down at the end of my sleeping bag (usually my hiking clothes if they're not wet) and this seems to keep my feet toasty warm.

Unfortunately, Slumberjack no longer makes the Airlite line of backpacking mattresses.”

“The one item I am always very glad I purchased is my 3/4 Guildlite Therm-a-rest. It's about 1/4" thicker than the ultralite.
I used closed cell pads for many years before going "over to the dark side" and getting a therm-a-rest. I am sorry I waited so long.
I have used the ultralite and it is good, but I'm a side sleeper and the extra 1/4" makes a difference.”

“If you check Campmor sometime they run specials on thermarest. Usually it is the 3/4 length irregular, but I've seen them for some pretty good prices.”

“Isn't the Therma Wrap the pillow/cover thing? It works good for me. I stuff my down jacket in there during the winter.”

“so is this what you all are taking about?

Therm-A-Rest® Backpacker ¾ Length Self-Inflating Mattress”

“I always thought the ultra light thermarest was fine until I slept on one for a week straight and my back started killing me. I promptly moved over to the regular 3/4 length thermarest for the next two weeks and my back was great. No more thin thermarest for me. Get the thicker model and you will be happier in the long run. Plus, it's more durable.”

“this

On sale at Campmor for $29.97. It would fill your bill perfectly, ML.”

“I didn't like my 3/4 thermarest, and got a longer one. Hated my feet hanging off the end.

ML, sew a couple pieces of fleece together to make a pillow, leave one side open, and stuff something in it, like your fleece jacket. Makes a great pillow.”

“thats it!!
that is the one im looking at. so you do think this might not be to cheap and might be ok for the $
calm down GS.”

“Yah, I got one of the thin thermarests. Found out unless I inflated it, it could be very uncomfortable.”

“I like that one Miss Opie but it weights over 2 lbs.

Very funny Bit..”

“There is a contingent on the board that believes that nothing less than the LE (2" thick) will do. However, I think that the Backpacker will do for you, ML.”

“No no no, I meant inflating it more than it will inflate itself. Actually blowing it up a little. I good idea usually, anyway.”

“oh like putting a hotdog in the microwave oven??
watch it go boom”

“Well you can put your Thermarest in the microwave if you want, but that's a lot of weight to carry someplace where there's no electricity....”

“I just found out that I can use my discount card (10% off) if I place the order over the phone.
so im off to shop via the phone!”

“I use the 3/4 thermarest. I'm 4'11" so its not too short for me. Stuff clothes under the legs. I have the ultra light, but I can feel every little rock on the ground. Its only good for padding in the truck. My 4R jacket gets wrapped around my stuff sack of clothes and is use as a pillow.”

“Z-rest - I want to use it because it's so light and packable, but there is such a big deficiency in comfort compared to the Thermarest Backpacker that I am willing to carry the extra pound.

The pocket of air in the self-inflating mattress really goes a long way in recreating the comfort of my bed at home.

The z-rest works when I can camp on leaves, or pine needles etc., but in established tentsites it's pretty uncomfortable.”

“Full length thermarest LE.
'nuff said.”

“I recently purchased the down air mattress from Exped.com, and even though it is pricey,(149.00 plus S/H), it is well worth it. You use the bag it comes in to put air into it and it is filled with Down that keeps you nice and toasty. It weighs 2 lbs and packs just like a sleeping bag. For the comfort, I don't mind the extra couple of ounces. I did have a Thermarest Explorer 3/4 but decided to splurge on this instead of trying to find the "right" thermarest. Last I looked, these were back ordered. Only place to get them is online that I know of.”

“I was lusting after that down air mat that Stephenson's Warmlite makes (about the same price) but the packed size was too bulky for me. A 3-4 inch pad would be heavenly but my ultralite has me spoiled. Rolled up it takes almost no space.”

“I agree with HPM. Extra weight? Yes it is,,,but if I am comfortable at 2 in the morning, I tend to be less prone to whine when I am carrying it at 2 in the afternoon.”

“Baume, how do you like your Mountain Hardwear Backcountry pad? Is it the 72"?”

“or for $10 more you could get this full length one
"Therm-a-Rest Backpacker Self-Inflating Mattress"
Miss Opie
12:29:27 PM
08/22/02”

“Big time spender, don't get carried away now!”

“maple leaf are you buying one for the Maine trip? If so, I've got a 3/4 Thermarest you can have . . . when I get there.”

“I use a combo of two:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=7555

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=7775

Sorry, not fancy with the links.

Reason: I'm right at 6', so I have to go with the full size Therm-a-rest Ultra Lite. The Ultra Lite is real light, but thin. The ridge comes along to rest on top the Ultra Lite for more comfort. I can roll it up at the top and it helps with cushion for my head. My sleeping (REI 15 degee Shasta) bag has a compartment that I stuff for a pillow. The two together weigh 2lbs, heavy, but they function multiple duties as I have the Camp Chair that they both stuff into. Thick and VERY comfortable chair! Also, at breaks I can just pull out the ridge and sit with no hassel. In my case, function justifies weight....”

“I've thought of doing that with a full length ridge rest and Guide Lite. It seems awful bulky. I also have an Ultra light, maybe thats the trick.”

“I'm a recent convert to the Ultralight Thermorest 3/4. I used a ridgerest previously. I bought it because it rolls small enought to go inside my pack.

Much to my suprise, the shorter length didn't bother me at all.

Some of the tent pads in Yoho were made out of something like stonecrete. Hard as a rock. I slept fine, even on my side, which I could never do on foam.”

“Path - It is bulky. I have an old Coleman External. I just roll up both of them together and strap it up top, so I only carry 2 lbs around my head. I don't know if this combo would work with some of the internal, smaller packs. This is one of the reason that keeps me from buy a new internal...”

“I may try the ultra lite, plus Ridgerest this weekend. I could easily put the Ultra inside and the ridge outside. I would also be a good combo for winter.”

“I also use the ultra lite 3/4 on top of my RidgeRest...It works well in the winter too, although I add my Crazy Creek chair to the bottom for my feet when it gets really cold.”

“Yes! Speaking of winter, another good point about that combo:
You don't melt as much snow underneath of you.

You know, I think good 'ol Aimee Gee used to do this. Maybe that's where I got the idea....”

“pathman, yes, it is the 72. i will buy another of these before i will buy another thermarest. my comparison:

mh backcountry 72: $69, rolled size 20 x 8, 2lb. 6 oz., unrolled 20 (hips up) x 72 x 1.5

-very comfortable, is not far (if at all) behind my thermarest standard in comfort
-good insulator. the two types of foam laminated together offer comfort and insulation from cold ground. this is a GREAT winter pad.
-no chance of a leak. is not self inflating. i unroll it and lay it out on the ground to sit on without worry of sharp object causing a leak.
-pillow pocket. the top has zipper access and there is a mesh pocket sewn on the inside of the bottom of the cover. stuff whatever is available in this pocket and you have a pillow that stays put all night.
-cover top and bottom are two different materials bottom is polyurethane coated so wet ground doesn't matter. it stays in one place in the tent.
- there is a spot near the zipper where the two foams have started to seperate (about 1/2 area, not enough for me to feel any concern).
-3 inches larger in diameter when rolled up than my standard thermarest.
-5 oz. lighter than my standard thermarest.
-feet sometimes wander off the tapered bottom during the night


cd thermarest standard. $65, rolled size 21 x 5, 2 lb. 11 oz., unrolled 20 x 72 x 1.75

- very comfortable (maybe a little more than the other).
-full length width. my feet don't wander off in the night.
-slides around some in tent
-more compact when rolled up
-need to be more cautious do to leak concerns. can't use as ground pad when taking a break or sitting around camp without caution.
-5 oz. heavier

with all of that said, i will most likely get a mh trailhead 72 if i have a need for a pad in the future. it is 7 oz. heavier than the backcountry 72 (only 2 oz. more than the thermarest standard) but 2 inches wider and 1/2 inch thicker. rolled size on that is supposed to be 22 x 8, same diameter as the backcountry 72.”

“the seperating area mentioned above is 1/2 inch squared (approx.)”

“This cursed thread reminds me of the hole (which for the life of me) I cannot locate in my 3/4 ultralight thermarest. I have used a z-rest all spring and summer (courtesy of nigal) and have liked it but come winter I am gonna want a new sleepy-pad. I just hate to lay out the $$$ for it.”

“Over-inflate your pad and go over it with a soapy sponge. Use dishwashing liquid for soap and squeeze the pad as you work each area.

Watch for bubbles.”

“The nice thing about ThermaRest is that if you can't fix the leak, they will give you a new one, or sometimes a second....I sent in my original, with the metal valve, about a zillion years old and they sent me a new one....not a bad deal.”

“This again!! Big Agnes "Air Core" ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!”

“I brought my Z-Rest on my last overnighter...now I remember why I always liked my Thermarest better. Sometimes you gotta refresh your memory!”

“I looked up that Exped down air mattress. Very interesting, but pricey is right. R value of 9.5! 3.5 inches thick inflated. Just about 2 lbs.

Exped Site”

“Bacpac, I actually did the soap test in the bath tub. Still couldnt find the leak. I suspect a bad valve. It will start full but by morning its flat. I just need to send it back...”