Vent: My $150 'ultralight' sleeping pad popped on a rock in the Adirondacks and I spent the night on the ground.

I'm never trusting a 2.5 R-value pad for late October camping again, so what's a good insulated pad that can actually handle some rough ground?

3 comments

3 Comments

torres.leo2mo ago

That's the worst, getting a cold wake-up call like that! A buddy of mine swears by his Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm for shoulder season stuff. He's had his on some seriously rocky trips in the Whites and it's still going strong. The higher R-value makes a huge difference when the temps drop. It's definitely not the cheapest, but after a bad night on the ground, the cost starts to feel worth it. Maybe check out some reviews for that one.

xenah122mo ago

But have you actually tried sleeping on one? That crinkly sound they make drives me nuts, like sleeping on a chip bag. I'd take a quiet night over a little extra warmth any time.

viola_butler25d ago

That crinkly noise is the worst. A thin fleece liner or just a cotton sheet on top cuts the sound way down and adds a little comfort without getting all loud about it. Sometimes the cheap fix is the best fix.