Pad Options for Cowboy Camping on Sierra Granite at 20 Degrees F

If you can sleep comfortably on the foam setup, take that. I'd definitely try it out one night on the floor before you go. Will that pile of foam stay in place all night?

For packing- can you burrito roll it inside the pack?

If I thought I could sleep, and be comfortable on the foam I would take it. I know I would sleep well on the big cushy pad. I would at least have some foam for sitting on if going the blow up route. You are good to your stuff. I would think you would be fine with the inflatable. And more comfortable, well rested.

Casey, great post.
For me, cost alone has been reason enough as long as comfort is reasonably assured with either. It sounds like you have figured the comfort part out (test this though). I dont have any experience with any good inflatables, but on the foam front, maybe there's a couple more tricks to make it even more appealing.

Only 1/4 or 1/8 foam is neeed below the hip bone.
Join the three sections of foam with tape.
Foam makes a great pack frame if you can get it inside.

One other reason for choosing foam…It'll make a man out of you!! I think Emily could appreciate that! Sleep on your foam for the week leading up to the trip. Become one with the foam. Watch the hairs surge and bristle on your manly chest. I saw a quote somewhere, "pack less. be more". Cant recall where I saw that but it sounded good.

See you next month!

Ken,

I was thinking of you, and your recent problems with your large Neoair, when I wrote about the frailty (is that a word) of air mattresses. How many nights out did you have on it? Was it always used in a tent? What are you going to do in the future?

Adan,

Thanks for the comments. I agree that I could shave the weight more by using thinner foam under the pillow and at my legs. I'll try it with cheap foam but not this nice (and expensive) foam from Nunatak.

The extra foam under your chest, but not hip, was inspired by a recent thread here but I think they used an inflatable pillow instead. We, the collective, asked from more info but no pictures or other details were posted.

Pull out some foam and try it under your chest, along with a good pillow, and let me know what you think.

If you want, I'll bring both setups next month.

I'd combine both air and foam by using the nightlight and getting something like a short neoair. Campsaver and Campmor still have some of the old style available for $80-$85. If the neoair fails in the middle of the night you still have the torso pad. Just a touch over 11 oz. for the two combined.

My pads failure was caused by the fabric itself having an issue. Common enough on the first batch of Neos. I always preen the site well and use my air mattress only in the tent. I will continue with the same approach.

And I agree with everything Roy has to say next.

I'd take the Synmat. My reasoning is that a good nights rest is important for daily performance and enjoyment of a trip. Yes, the Synmat needs more care and effort to use, but it will likely take less than 10 minutes out of your day to preen a site, inflate/deflate, pack it up, etc. The effort is worth it to me.

Use CCF for your trail break, kicking around camp pad and then use it with your inflatable for sleeping.

We all have our own comfort levels regarding pads and temperature, I do realize.
Given this and other factors, I have found the synmat UL7 to be inadequate in that sub 30 degree F range. If you've taken yours down to 20 F before, then by all means go for it. Otherwise I would definitely supplement with a CCF of some sort. I've had my synmat UL7 on snow, dirt, and rock – each at temps below freezing and have found it to be cold (but manageable with proper hydration, calories, and layering) when used alone and alternatively plenty warm when coupled with a CCF of 1/8" or 1/4". I was just in the Tetons this weekend with the UL7 by itself on snow and forgot that I should have probably brought a supplementary CCF. I made due, but would have appreciated the extra warmth and margin of safety of a thin CCF.

A conundrum indeed.

Here is the general progression amongst backpackers as I see it. The question is, are you willing to throw in the towel already?

The Age of Innocence: When we slept in the dirt like babes before we Knew Better…
(Painting: Waterhouse, A Naiad)

The Age of Foam: When we climbed peaks, fought all comers, drank and smoked anything heartily, and could eat canned chili and ramen for weeks on end. When we were lean and strong…

The Age of the Inflatable: When we sit around fires discussing single malt scotch, peaks we once climbed, fights once had, 401Ks, all the while cautious of the sodium in our dinner. When our midsections start going soft and backs start getting stiff. Some people, with luck and good cholesterol, may manage to stay in this age until the end.

The Age of the Temperpedic: When no matter how much blow up $hit, fine wine, or fancy food we drag into the woods with us, our necks are stiff, shoulders sore, and we question why we're doing it anymore. At this point the bed at home, KFC, and American Idol are so tempting that some of us no longer get out at all…Do not be decieved, friends, this is not about age; some people are quietly slipping into this dreadful state as we speak…

The Age of the Walker: Adventures in the mountains are officially over. We can now sit and tell our offspring stories about how we once slept on rocks, fought entire bars full of cowboys, and and walked for weeks with nothing but bread and whiskey. We can be proud, we earned those wheels.

Personally, I bought an Exped Synmat UL7 sometime last season; I sleep like a babe on it. That said, foam went on my last trip with me. I'll be carrying a foam 3/4 ridgerest in the Sierra this summer. Lighter, more reliable, more versatile…and I'm not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Awesome post Craig! I've been spoiled by a decade of hanging. I am taking the thin pad next trip. Really for me as I sleep good anywhere is this. I see taking a slight hit on weight to reduce the bulk in my pack so I went with a NeoAir instead of a Ridgerest. Also I am more than 20 inches wide and would like a pad that is as well. Those Ridgrest XLs are huge! The plus that you get a cushy bed for the night with just a little more work just wins out for me usually. Dang I am only 45. Many miles left.

Casey. Take the foam. Blame Craig later if needed.

Take a look here. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=22054

+1 many times over!

When I was in my 20s I would periodically sleep on my hardwood floors with no padding whatsoever, just to keep myself in shape for sleeping anywhere and on anything. Now, 20 years later, yeah, softer, but looking to regain some (not all) of that form. Bring on the thick CCF pads (okay, need a little cushion).

Well, I won't try to make the call on the cush question. But I have a tip on warmth and campsite selection. If it has been a sunny day (and aren't all days in the Sierra sunny?), then sleeping on a rock slab will be warmer than on sand or dirt, because the rock has warmed up during the day. With you and your pad on top of it, it stays pretty warm all night. And you get the added bonus of a nice clean surface for you and your gear.

Before I started sleeping in hammocks almost exclusively, I found an inflatable with a very thin "egg crate" CCF pad under it offered both great protection from the cold, and an added bit of comfort should my hip somehow wind up on the ground (I, too, am a side-sleeper). But, this is BPL, and suggesting you take along a few extra ounces for the sake of something as silly as comfort might well be considered heresy. :)

Do you consider the pillow a necessity? I've always managed to get by without a dedicated pillow, instead using my rain gear and other miscellanea wadded up into a ball…

Craig +1

Truly awesome post. Hit the nails right on the head.

Love it.

Personally, for me it all comes down to what will give me the best night's rest. I tend to sleep pretty poorly in general and even worse when backpacking/camping. If you know you'll sleep better on the inflatable, bring that. The weight penalty and risk of puncture are small in comparison to the cost of a poor night sleep. Being well rested allows you to go faster, go farther, reduce injury risk, and most importantly often gives you a better mental outlook and state of mind which can make all the difference in the trip experience.

My 2c

The Expeds UL's can be had on eBay for $100-$110 quite routinely, if that helps.

Great post Craig.

Last night I slept on my foam creation inside the house on a hardwood floor. I thought the chances were pretty high that I would sneak into a real bed, but I didn't. Certainly I tossed and turned a bit, but it was a pretty satisfactory slumber. Tonight I'll do the same with the Exped Synmat UL 7 then report back tomorrow.

Ken,

Thanks for the link. That was, and still is, a great post. If you're taking foam on your next trip (while your NeoAir is being replaced or repaired), try adding a small bit of foam from shoulders to lower back.

Thanks Andrew,

I actually already own the Exped UL 7.

Casey, I remember that post. I'll try a thick piece of foam tonight and report back also. Might be better with the thick foam from chest to lower back so that shoulder and hip are not on it. This would provide the most support for the torso. To be continued…Athough, not sure it's necessary for me anymore, I've been sleeping on wood for about a month now. an experiment that I ended up enjoying. When I do carry inflatables, they are 1 inch torso mats which ive taken to 20f with a 1/4 inch foam underneath. Now that I'm comfy on wood though, probably just my 1/4 inch evazote for the Sierra, double-thickness under my torso. For now, just enjoying the freedom from blow-ups. One less piece of technology between earth and me.

Yup, so an extra piece of foam from shoulders to lower back definitely makes it more comfortable. I tried different thicknesses too, a single layer of ridgerest was most comfy, doubling it up did not feel good to me. also tried a piece just under my torso, not under my shoulders or hips, this was not comfortable at all for me. If i found sleeping on foam to be uncomfortable, I would definitely try this tip before giving up on it.

I recommend spending some time on foam before a trip to accustom yourself. if that's not possible, then this trick could certainly make the difference. Thanks Casey!

> I've been sleeping on wood for about a month now. an experiment that I ended up enjoying.

What does your wife think about this?

> For now, just enjoying the freedom from blow-ups.

What does you wife think about this? ;)