Item No: 103097

Purchasing Reference

Types of Sleeping Pads:

There are three basic construction types: closed cell foam (often referred to as CCF), self-inflating, air construction.

1, Closed Cell Foam
These are the simplest pads. They are little more than a piece of foam between you and the cold ground. Most are less than half an inch thick and aren't comfortable. They rely on tiny air pockets within the foam to protect you from the ground's heat-zapping convective powers. They are durable, inexpensive, lightweight.

2, Self-inflating

These products use an open celled foam (like a sponge) sandwiched between two layers of fabric. When the valve is open, the foam expands and inflates the pad. The foam also traps air and retains heat. They are easy to inflate, and comfortable by increasing the thickness of foam.

3, Air Construction

These are the latest craze in the evolution of sleeping pads. They are similar in construction to inflatable pool toys except that they are much warmer, lighter, and more durable. The downside to air construction pads is that they take a long time to inflate compared to self-inflating pads. Once inflated, they provide about 2 inches of cushion between you and the ground. This type of pad relies on either synthetic, down, or baffled structures to provide insulation. Generally, air construction pads are the lightest weight and most compact pads available.

Comfort:

Thicker pads are better than thinner pads; flat surfaces are more comfortable for your head than bumpy surfaces; grippier fabrics keep you attached to the pad for longer; and more surface area means more comfort.

Weight:

Generally speaking, foam pads are lightweight, but aren't comfortable. Meanwhile, self-inflating pads tend to be much heavier than their air core counterparts. 

Warmth

Generally, the most important variables for a pad are its thickness (thicker is warmer), insulation, and air circulation (more circulation equates to less warmth).

Packed Size

Packed size can be a really important metric to consider if you're packing into a small backpack. If you are ok with strapping your mat to the outside of your pack, you won't mind bulky pads. The packed sizes of the products in this review vary quite a bit. For the most part, foam pads are the most bulky followed by the gamut of self-inflating designs. Air construction pads are the least bulky and are what you should look for if a small packed size is really important to you.

Durability

Significant advances in textile development make lightweight inflatable pads. The pads have repair kits.