If you have ever gone hiking, camping, or mountain climbing and had to spend the night outdoors in the cold, damp air, then you would realize just how important it is to have a sleeping pad. Sleeping pads provide campers and outdoor enthusiasts with a soft, comfy spot to spend their nights and also with enough insulation against the cold emitted from the ground.
The two main and most important functions of a sleeping pad are cushioning and insulation. Cushioning increases your comfort levels, soothing your aching joints as you lay down, while insulation keeps you warm, preventing pneumonia and other weather-related infections. This article contains a few helpful tips for picking out the best sleeping pads for yourself and your household.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SLEEPING BAG AND A SLEEPING PAD?
I consider it very important to shed some light on sleeping bags, and how different they are from sleeping pads. Basically, a sleeping bag is a padded bag that is designed for people to sleep in during camping. A sleeping bag is totally different from a sleeping pad in that it provides its user with a hole in the middle to sleep in. You can think of it as a cushioned enclosure of sorts. Sleeping pads, on the other hand, provide their users with a flat surface to sleep on and are also laid underneath a sleeping bag.
Also, if your sleeping bag is big enough to accommodate your sleeping pad, it can be placed inside of it. This creates a perfect combo of extra cushion and therefore, more comfort.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF SLEEPING PADS?
Closed-Cell Foam Pads
These are made of foams filled with closed air cells. They are lightweight, cheap, durable, and have great insulation. However, they are not quite as comfortable as other sleeping pads. These beds are not inflatable, meaning that they do not allow air into them.
Self-inflating beds
These are basically a combination of open-cell foams and air. They are sleeping pads that inflate by themselves through an open-cell foam that rises when the valve is opened. However, a little help from your lungs might be needed to get them to be firm. They are less compact than air pads, but are way more durable, and are much more comfortable than closed-cell foam pads.
Air Mattress/Pads
These come in varying sizes and styles and are mostly big, super comfy, and lightweight at the same time. They are perfect for car camping and their sizes could range anywhere between 4 and 20 inches. One of the biggest cons of air pads is that they are way more expensive than all other types of sleeping pads and they could get punctured easily.
WHAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER WHEN GETTING A SLEEPING PAD
Size (Length and Width)
The size of the pad you’re getting is important because it greatly influences your levels of comfort. A bed that is too small for you or one that doesn’t compliment your sleeping posture would prove to be a waste of cash. The basic length of a sleeping pad should measure at least 72 inches and a width of between 25 and 30 inches.
Intended Use
Some pads are better suited for certain uses and locations, and so the position you want to use the sleeping pad in, and the environment in which you would be using it play an important role in making a choice.
Warmth
As said earlier, insulation is the second major function of sleeping pads, after cushioning. A sleeping pad that doesn’t retain heat, or doesn’t have a heating system of its own isn’t an advisable choice.
Inflation Ease
For inflatable beds, easy and quick inflation is a very important feature. You definitely do not want to spend a lot of time and effort trying to inflate your bed after a long, tiring day of hiking.
Easy to Carry
This is a very important feature of sleeping pads that cannot be overlooked. Whatever sleeping pad you are going for should be lightweight and easy to bundle into a backpack or the trunk of a car. This makes the entire process of carrying it from one place to place way easier.
Price Ranges of Sleeping Pads
The prices of sleeping pads vary based on type, size, texture, insulation levels, and several other factors. However, here is an overview of the regular market prices you are most likely to find.
EXPENSIVE
$80 - $150. This price range spans the most expensive, high quality sleeping pads. Pads in this category are usually inflatable, with ultrathick and extra light foam. They are durable and are sure to provide you with all the comfort and insulation that you need.
MID-RANGE
$35 - $80. Sleeping pads that fall in this price category are most common. They provide you with all of the necessary features that you need at an affordable cost.
NON-EXPENSIVE
$20 -$35. This is the cheapest price category and the most likely sleeping pads to get here are closed-cell pads. It is not totally advisable to go for inflatable pads in this category as they might be low-quality products that would require a replacement in no time.
Best Sleeping Pads FAQs
Should you wear clothes in your sleeping bag?
Yes, generally, you should be dressed when going to sleep in your sleeping bag. This will not only provide extra insulation and keep you warmer but it would also protect you from insect or bug bites.
How long does it take a self-inflating sleeping pad to inflate?
It will generally take about 10-15 minutes for self-inflated sleeping pads to become inflatd. However, to quicken the process, and to make for a firmer bag, you might have to make use of your lungs in giving a few puffs.
Why are sleeping bags slippery?
Most sleeping bags are slippery because of the fabrics and materials used in making them. Materials like nylon and polyester which are usually used in their production, coupled with the waterproof finishing give sleeping bags a slippery feel.