This is much better advice than you might think. Self-inflating mattresses look great and the idea
is sound in practice the things are no better at the job they are designed to do than any closed
cell foam pad: Insulate. The idea that they provide more "comfort" is marketing nonsense and most of
us have fallen for it. I own four Thermarest pads, two are almost thirty years old, the originals in
green and orange. I speak from years of experience of backpacking with 45 pound loads. I finally
went ultralight, 15 pounds. ONe of the things I thought I could not sleep without was my Thermarest.
I was wrong.
The physics are all in favor of closed cell pads. They insulate far better because there is no
conduction or convection. They are more comfortable by the time morning comes becaue they do not
compress past a certain limit and they retain all insulation properties even when compressed. An air
mattress is made of open cell foam. It compresses to almost nothing during the night, simply as a
result of your weight, especially where there are pressure points at hips and shoulders. Open cell
foam loses almost all of its insulation value when compressed.
A luxury Thermarest weighs more than 5 pounds, the 3/4 lightweights are two and a half pounds. A
closed cell 3/4 pad weighs about 12 ounces, the full length pads are less than a pound. You can take
two. Price is negligible compared to self-inflators, too, $30-50 compared to $80-200..
One of the better closed cell pads is made by Cascade Designs, the Thermarest people. It's called
the Z-rest.
www.cascadedesigns.com
david boise ID
"Mikael Seierup" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<
[email protected]>...
> "Jay" skrev...
> > I am about to purchase my first Thermarest (or similar) Does anyone have advice or preferences
> > for the length or thickness of the pad? Is it worth carrying a full length and extra thick pad?
>
> Consider a Karrimat from Karrimor. Or some other closed cell mat. Its simple, lightweight,
> durable, waterproof and insulates great. I've only ever bought one. Has served me well for over 20
> years and will probably continue to do so the next 20.
>
> Regards Mikael