Sleep Mat

When I was young, I was able to adjust after a few nights, but now that I am old, the joints hurt too much.

Sometime you can gather enough duff to make a closed cell pad much more comfortable, but that can take time and not possible in some locations.

A blow up or self inflation pad is now my pad of choice.

I make sure to clear the ground I set up on to avoid punctures and use a ground cloth.
I also carry a repair kit and have had to use it a few times.

I think that it is just personal. I have used a ridge rest for a few years now, and always sleep very good on it. Like you said, having a pack underneath your feet gets rid of foot pain.

I will say though, when I sleep on my side for any longer than a couple hours, my hip starts to be a little sore. But usually I'm a stomach sleeper.

Some people are just different than others, I have a friend who never uses any sort of pad at all. I don't know how he does it, and he claims to sleep better in the backcountry than at home. Just sleeps on his groundsheet

I generally use a z-lite or a suluk46 pad.
I've found that the longer the trip the better I sleep. The first day is generally not so great, and it keeps getting better. The biggest improvement for me is having a pillow. I don't know if it keeps my spine aligned or something like that, but it helps me ALOT. It may seem like common sense, but also try not to camp on hard ground. I was in the grand canyon once and the campground was used so much it was like sleeping on a cement pad, ouch. Sometimes we look for a good place to pitch a shelter so much that we forget about the ground. I really like the z-lite as it can be used at rest stops, and as a frame if you are so inclined. it will not puncture or leak.

All that said, I borrowed a friends neoair to supplement for winter use last winter and it was re-heally nice. I have yet to shell out the cash for one of those.

One thing you might try (that I believe is popular in the climbing world) is to use a closed cell pad with a small or XS inflatable on top. this way you get a little more comfort and if your inflatable fails, you still have your trusty CCF pad.

just my $0.02

What is the bed like that you usually sleep on at home? If it is really soft/cushy, then I think you will probably have a hard time adjusting to a foam pad, especially on short duration trips.

Michael,

It's just personal, varies from person to person. I used to be able to get decent sleep with foamers, not anymore. Saving two or three ounces in my pad setup is asinine IMO, especially if it means I'm losing sleep, which does me no good the next day hiking a 10 hour day. I've switched to a lightweight full length synthetic inflatable and I'm never going back, unless it's just a SUL overnight or something and weight, simplicity, and maximum time on my feet is the goal.

Inflatable pads are extremely light now, 9oz. full length inflatables aren't uncommon, 10-14oz. full length insulated pads are easily found if you're looking for one. I always use a polycro groundsheet and clear my site before using my pad, I also only get on the thing when it's time to crash. An inflatable with a 70D bottom shell is more durable, might help with the leak and puncture problems.

If you want something more durable, there's the Neoair Trekker.
A little heavier than the standard Neoair.

I use a wide torso version, torso length. I supplement with a 3/8" closed cell pad for the lower legs. I find I don't need much padding there.
The closed cell pad also acts as my pack frame and sit pad.

My first pad was a traditional Thermarest. Worked great, but heavy and bulky. Then I switched to a RidgeRest, but couldn't sleep due to painful hips. Then I bought a Big Agnes insulated pad and it developed a phantom leak, and I froze my ass off. Tried a Z-Rest, which was no more comfortable than the RidgeRest.

What I think is a great compromise is the combination of a very thin foam pad, this one in particular from GG for only $10 (and only 2.5 oz.): http://gossamergear.com/sleeping/1-8.html

You lay that down first, then put your air mattress over it. The foam will add insulation and keep little pokey things from popping your pad, keep your pad in the same spot in the tent, extends the comfort range of an inflated pad, and it can be used for other purposes such as providing rigidity in a bag and/or used as a sit mat for around camp.

YMMV.

starts with picking your camp spot

a grassy area adds padding.
remove as much rocks
stomp on the grass to even it out. (yea I know, its not LNT, but grass will grow back)

the accordion style z-rest has advantages. you can double/triple fold it thick in the middle areas, like hips or shoulders, and go with the single (or no) layers for less important area such as feet.

Another other trick is that i bring my pack inside the tent, and I either use it like an ottoman to elevate my feet/knees/legs raised on it, this makes my butt and back flat on the ground.

0__/-'

other times I put my backpack up near my head/back, and I lean back on it like a couch with lumbar support.

third option: this one is not popular with people with big butts and big hips… lose the fat weight in that region, will improve sleeping posture, back arching.

option 4: this one is not popular with animal activists. Get a big big dog, and snuggle or lean against like a big bean bag. dog is happy, you are with your best friend, conserve energy.

Yeah, I would say a lot depends on where you sleep. I was hit or miss with a closed cell pad. Sometimes it was just fine, other times it wasn't (too many roots or rocks). I've gone to a NeoAir, and despite the weight gain, I won't go back. The other thing to consider is just adding padding. You can get 1/8 pads at various places (like Gossamer Gear). Eventually you approach the weight of an inflatable, but you'll still be cheaper. Plus, buying closed cell foam is never a bad idea. You can always use it compliment the inflatable, or for sit pads, or around the house, etc.

Get a hammock and sleep all night, seriously.

A hammock isn't a bad idea. Mine only adds a pound to my pack and I've never slept better and I don't wake up sore – ever. Sounds like a foam pad may not work well for you.

if you are really committed you could try sleeping on your floor at home for a few months and see of you adapt. However as you didn't get into over the whole jmt it might not work for you. after years of using foam and then thermarests age and a back injury have forced me over to a kooka bay pad and a very thin foam pad. This gives an impressive r value for the weight and is pretty comfortable. One thing I do is put a light inflatable pillow under my knees when I sleep curled up on my side. Before I did this my knees would drop of the side of the mat and get cold. As well as keeping my knees warm the pillow help with spinal alignment. In my younger days I could sleep like a log anywhere, but in recent years a host of health issues has put pay to this. I am making some progress though and may try the old foam out in the back garden for ome night. I like the simplicity and reliability of foam but modern options do mean you can have a pretty comfy nighy for a low weight. One last thing is that quite a few people use some form of painkiller / anti inflam every night. I have considered a hammock and will probably try one out this year. For trips where I stay below the bushline it could be perfect.