Suggest a foam pad!

[Max Dilthey]

Hi all,

I like my Thermarest Z-Lite, but I need a different kind of foam pad that's flexible and rollable for bikepacking. Here's my specs:

-Durable, completely waterproof (VERY durable, COMPLETELY waterproof! Does it exist?)
-Torso length or trimmable
-About 1/4-inch thickness
-Less than 7-10oz

Any ideas?

[Bob Gross]

You might take a look at the Gossamer Gear sleep pads that have the convoluted eggcrate texture.

The only weakness I've found is that if you leave the pad compressed for a long time, it will slowly lose its convolutions.

–B.G.–

[James Marco]

Yeas the Gossamer Gear pads are pretty good. The old ones did compress more than the new ones. I take a full size pad and cut it into fan-fold sections that fit into my pad keepers. It is roughly 51" long. it is nominally 3/4" thick but by nesting the bumps you can get two in 1" of thickness. They weigh about 7oz.

The Nunatak Luna is more like the older NightLites. Nice pad.

[dirtbag]

Best pad I ever used.

[Rex Sanders]

If you like your Z-Lite, but want a pad that rolls up, try the Therm-A-Rest RidgeRest Solite. Small size is 9 ounces at 48 inches, you could drop a couple ounces with some trimming.
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/trek-and-travel/ridge-rest-solite/product

Gossamer Gear Thinlight pads are made to roll up. The 3/8" pad is thicker than you asked for, about 8 ounces at 59 inches, you could drop several ounces with some trimming. Many people love these pads.
http://gossamergear.com/sleeping/thinlight-insulation-pads.html

Lawson carries similar pads, the cosmetic seconds are really cheap, but only available in 1/8" thickness. Buy one at 24×74 inches and 4.25 ounces, fold it over or cut it up to get 1/4" thickness where you want it. Or buy two and get creative, they are cheap.
http://lawsonequipment.com/InsuLite-EVA-Foam-Pads/InsuLite-1-8-XL-Foam-Pad-Cosmetic-Seconds-p988.html

Alps Mountaineering makes a lightweight, closed cell pad. But the textured surface probably holds moisture, so maybe not for you.
http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/alps/products/pads/foam-mats/foam-mat
Currently very cheap at REI Outlet.

Stay away from cheap blue foam under many names. It might be "closed cell", but the manufacturing process creates lots of tiny holes on the surface that hold water. And they are not very cushy.

HTH.

— Rex

[Dale Wambaugh]

Yup, RidgeRest or Gossamer Gear. If you find a deal on a long one, trim to suit and use the leftover for a sit pad. Closed cell is great for something like napping on a rocky river bank that would devastate an air pad.

I use a ProLite short pad plus a z-seat when I want less volume. That little Prolite rolls up the size of a soda can and the z-seat usually rides in a front pocket folded invhalf and ready to deploy on a rest stop. I've used it for a quick and dirty dehydrated dinner cozy too. Good to stand on when hanging clothes at a muddy camp.

[Brad Rogers]

Ridge rest.

[Richard Fischel]

i've been very happy with mine. if you google lunapad be sure to include nunatak otherwise i take no responsibility for your search results.

[b willi jones]

i wouldnt have thought you needed to ask. i thought you were the man when it comes to sleeping pads and would have it nailed by now with the amount of bikepacking you have done,,, you voted 8 different pads @ 10/10 on another thread,,, seems like you can sleep good on anything,,, just get something cheap and replace it more often

[James Couch]

"-Durable, completely waterproof (VERY durable, COMPLETELY waterproof! Does it exist?)"

Yes it does, Evazote – truly waterproof, light, super durable a little over 1/3" thick.

I got my last one from MEC: http://www.mec.ca/product/0808-014/zotefoams-evazote-standard-sleeping-pad/?q=evazote

These are full length but easy to trim. Weight for full length pad is 350 grams so a torso length should come within at your 7-10oz range.

[Max Dilthey]

"you voted 8 different pads @ 10/10 on another thread,,, seems like you can sleep good on anything,,, just get something cheap and replace it more often"

Every pad is a 10, but getting something cheap and replacing it sucks when you're trying to save money. Rather buy something durable once.

This post educated me more on sleeping pads; I didn't know about the Lunapad!

[Chad B]

I've slept on a lot of foam over the years and feel the Ridgerest is the most comfortable.

[b willi jones]

if you are trying to save money,,, then just use what you got

[Max Dilthey]

I didn't expect an inquisition… I'm outfitting a friend, I think I'm giving her my Z-Lite and I'll roll a ridgerest.

Thanks for the recommendations! I went with the Thermarest Ridgerest Classic, as it seemed you get a little bit more durability over the Gossamer Gear pads for some bulk penalty, but low weight penalty.

The Thermarest Ridgerest Classic in a Small is new for 2014, and is 9oz and $14.00

[Outdoor Vlogger]

I've found that the ridgerests are more durable to abrasion, but they loose their thickness and "loft" very quickly compared to other foam pads.

I have one or two ridgerests that now make great kayak outfitting!!

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