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#128629 - 02/11/10 02:31 PM Inflatable vs Foam
Boomer Offline
member

Registered: 10/21/09
Posts: 98
Loc: Minnesota,USA
Why is it i see so many more people carrying a foam pad instead of an inflatable one? I grew up with foam but when i tried out an inflatable (Big Agnes insulated) manually inflated it has a ton more loft i feel like... What does everyone else use?
_________________________
Modern civilized man, sated with artificialities and luxury, were wont, when he returns to the primeval mountains, to find among their caves his prehistoric brother, alive and unchanged. -Guido Rey

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#128632 - 02/11/10 02:57 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Boomer]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
I have mostly used foam. It didn't bother me until I got into my mid 20's. That is what drove me to hammocks. But, I just bought (two days ago) a BA insulated pad. I am going to use it this weekend. I sleep on my side, and I can't do that comfortably with 3 foam pads stacked on top of each other.
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#128638 - 02/11/10 04:02 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Boomer]
Trailrunner Offline
member

Registered: 01/05/02
Posts: 1835
Loc: Los Angeles
I use both and each has its advantages. Inflatables win in the comfort category, hands down. But when I need:

1) Small volume to fit inside my bivy or

2) A frame for my frameless pack that doubles as a sleeping pad or

3) Something dependable and bombproof that won't fail me in the middle of the night or

4) A litte extra insulation in Winter.

Then.....I reach for my trusty old Ridgerest or my cheapo Walmart blue foam pad. I'm lucky. At 52 my old bones can still sleep pretty well on a relatively thin closed cell foam pad.

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#128639 - 02/11/10 04:13 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Trailrunner]
Ken the Bear Offline
member

Registered: 02/09/10
Posts: 45
Loc: St Louis
plus the ridgerest is lighter by a good amount

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#128640 - 02/11/10 04:26 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Boomer]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
Pick up a foam pad sometime and note how light it is. If you want light and cheap above all else, including comfort, the foam pad is The Thing.

I use the hammock, or a NeoAir, myself.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

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#128642 - 02/11/10 04:46 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Boomer]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
I went full circle...and am back to foam. Three Thermorests, all serving me well, all eventually leaked over the years, have been replaced by Ridgerests. Ridgerests seem warmer, don't slide around in my hammock, do double duty as my pack frame, can't go flat, are much lighter, and cost 1/4th what inflatables cost.
I'll use the Thermorest inflatables when sleeping on a hard floor, or in the back of the SUV.
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#128645 - 02/11/10 05:01 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Boomer]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Originally Posted By Boomer
Why is it i see so many more people carrying a foam pad instead of an inflatable one? I grew up with foam but when i tried out an inflatable (Big Agnes insulated) manually inflated it has a ton more loft i feel like... What does everyone else use?


Foam is much lighter than most inflatables. Foam works better as underinsulation in hammocks. I use foam because I hammock and it's lighter.

I do use a big agnes insulated inflatable in the winter, on the ground.

_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


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#128648 - 02/11/10 07:24 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Boomer]
Boomer Offline
member

Registered: 10/21/09
Posts: 98
Loc: Minnesota,USA
thankyou everyone!
_________________________
Modern civilized man, sated with artificialities and luxury, were wont, when he returns to the primeval mountains, to find among their caves his prehistoric brother, alive and unchanged. -Guido Rey

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#128684 - 02/12/10 05:36 AM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Dryer]
frediver Offline
member

Registered: 05/11/07
Posts: 114
Insul-air mat over or under a z-rest depending on conditions. much more comfortable than thermarest, cheaper and lighter weight.

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#128728 - 02/12/10 07:32 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam(BOTH?) [Re: finallyME]
300winmag Offline
member

Registered: 02/28/06
Posts: 1342
Loc: Nevada, USA
I own several Thermarest inflatable matresses (& returned a Neo-Air. Long story.).

Also I have a RidgeRest CCF.

For summer camping I use Thermarest's 1st lightweight inflatable, the "Lite", reg. length. It's over 10 years old but still works well even at 25 F..

But, for week long winter trips I'd take the Trail Pro AND the RidgeRest because after several days you get so much vapor in the Trail Pro that it loses much of its insulative value.

CLEARLY Cascade Designs/Thermarest needs a lightweight pump to attatch to their Thermarest mattress valves to keep breath vapor out during winter use.

Eric
_________________________
"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."

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#128784 - 02/13/10 07:47 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam(BOTH?) [Re: 300winmag]
Tango61 Offline
member

Registered: 12/27/05
Posts: 931
Loc: East Texas Piney Woods
Eric,
Have you thought about getting an Exped Downmat?
I got one on winter sale last year from MooseJaw for $69. It comes with a double layer stuff sack that doubles as a air pump.

I checked the size of the valve on a ThermaRest and it is smaller than what is on the Exped. So, you couldn't just get a stuff sack to use with your TR.

The Exped Downmat 7 weighs about 34 oz. I really enjoy having it on winter campouts.
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If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't. Either way, you're right.

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#129044 - 02/17/10 01:48 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Boomer]
Redfacery Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/10
Posts: 82
Loc: NY
I've been considering getting a 1/4" Thinlite for a couple of reasons.

First, I will be using it for a month-long trip, and want a pad that is thick enough to serve as a primary insulator if I end up on the ground.

Second, I have been hammocking for the last few years, and just recently upgraded to a double layered hammock. On the trip, I would plan on mostly using the hammock, so the Thinlite would stay there.

I was wondering how successful the thinlite really is in removing the back-chilling breeze? I have an old inflatable pad that does the trick when I sleep on the ground, but wasn't planning on using it. I won't be trying to use the thinlite as any part of my backpack.

Second I guess, is the wide really necessary, or will a regular width be enough to stop the breeze in the hammock?

Best,
Redfacery

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#129048 - 02/17/10 03:35 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Redfacery]
thecook Offline


Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 541
Loc: Minnesota
I can't comment on whether 1/4" is warm enough as I have never used a pad that thin. I use either a 3/8 blue foam (doubled) or an older thermarest. 20" wide is not wide enough for me in a hammock if the temps drop below about 50F. My shoulders and sides get cold and I need to use a second, short pad set sideways to wrap around my shoulders and arms.
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If I wouldn't eat it at home, why would I want to eat it on the trail?

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#129104 - 02/18/10 02:27 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: thecook]
Redfacery Offline
member

Registered: 01/11/10
Posts: 82
Loc: NY
The 20" width I expect would be a problem for me as well, which is why I would get the wide one. I would plan on folding it to be 20" wide if I ended up on the ground I guess.

Yeah, my experience has also been anything below 45-50F and the breeze needs to be proactively dealt with.

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#129207 - 02/20/10 10:41 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Boomer]
gorge_medic Offline
member

Registered: 08/06/08
Posts: 131
Loc: Kentucky
So...not to hijack a thread, but I just returned from my first aborted winter camping trip. I learned the valuable lesson that 30F may be warmer than the nighttime temps you've been having, but it's still 30 degrees!

For three-season trips I've been using a full-length Ridgerest without problems. I started to look at the GG Nightlite torso-length pad to add for winter trips, or to use alone for three-season trips. What do you all use for a winter pad system, and why did you choose that particular combo?

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#129213 - 02/21/10 12:43 AM winter pads [Re: gorge_medic]
Paul Offline
member

Registered: 09/30/02
Posts: 778
Loc: California
I use an older Thermarest Ultralite, 3/4 length, on top of a closed cell pad (older Mt. Washington egg-crate style EVA foam). This gives me a closed cell pad for sitting on and basic insulation, with the t-rest for added insulation and comfort. If the t-rest goes bad I still have something. I'd be reluctant to go with only an inflatable pad on the snow, especially for longer trips.

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#129214 - 02/21/10 01:08 AM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: gorge_medic]
hikerduane Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
Are you talking about sleeping on snow? If so, I have used my Exped DAM 9 by itself, a ThermaRest 3/4 LE, 1.5" thick with a 3/8" blue ccf pad and my NeoAir small with the blue ccf pad in the snow. One of my hips felt just a tiny bit cool when using the NeoAir/ccf pad over NY's in Yosemite, very insignificant though. In my experience, the small NeoAir on unfrozen ground is good into the mid single digits using a 15 degree down bag with a jacket draped over by morning. Did that two nights in a row. On frozen ground, may be a different matter. Per my two zip-o-gauges and the ice on slow moving water, I know it was cold.

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#129215 - 02/21/10 02:01 AM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: gorge_medic]
ChrisFol Offline
member

Registered: 07/23/09
Posts: 387
Loc: Denver, Colordo
Originally Posted By gorge_medic
So...not to hijack a thread, but I just returned from my first aborted winter camping trip. I learned the valuable lesson that 30F may be warmer than the nighttime temps you've been having, but it's still 30 degrees!

For three-season trips I've been using a full-length Ridgerest without problems. I started to look at the GG Nightlite torso-length pad to add for winter trips, or to use alone for three-season trips. What do you all use for a winter pad system, and why did you choose that particular combo?


For winter camping I take my full length Ridge-Rest Deluxe because it offers the best weight-to-warmth ratio among pads (I believe this is the case). In fact this is my year round pad. During the winter months I will also bring along a GG Nightlight.

It should be noted that my sleep system clothing is just as important as the pad during the winter season.

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#129235 - 02/21/10 12:03 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: gorge_medic]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Blue foam atop a big agnes insulated aircore.

when it's really cold another blue foam underneath.

_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


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#129237 - 02/21/10 01:06 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: phat]
ChrisFol Offline
member

Registered: 07/23/09
Posts: 387
Loc: Denver, Colordo
Originally Posted By phat

Blue foam atop a big agnes insulated aircore.

when it's really cold another blue foam underneath.



I have always wondered about air filled pads like the Aircore and NeoAir, during the winter season. Does the air inside the pad not become cold or is the material of the pad and the warmth of your body enough to warm the air inside?

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#129238 - 02/21/10 01:37 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: ChrisFol]
Boomer Offline
member

Registered: 10/21/09
Posts: 98
Loc: Minnesota,USA
i used mine in 36 degree air in utah and it felt like it was getting really cold. I wasnt sure though if it was the material that was getting cold or if it was the air inside.
_________________________
Modern civilized man, sated with artificialities and luxury, were wont, when he returns to the primeval mountains, to find among their caves his prehistoric brother, alive and unchanged. -Guido Rey

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#129240 - 02/21/10 01:46 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: ChrisFol]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
I was caught in a shoulder season snow storm with only the NeoAir. Temps dropped into the low 20-25F range at night and we woke to snow. I think that the only reason I was warm all night had something to do with the ground not being frozen. We were on sand and previous night's temps didn't go below 40F.

I have been satisfied with the NeoAir overall, and I am a quilt user so sleep directly on the pad itself, unless I'm in the hammock which has a pad pocket. It works entirely because of the heat reflective baffles inside it.

I also make sure I've been hydrated and eaten well before turning in - you are relying on your body to provide the warmth. Need to keep the furnace going.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

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#129241 - 02/21/10 01:47 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: ChrisFol]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
It was about 28 degrees Thursday night and I was sleeping on an insulated Big Agnes air mattress with no other pads. It was on forest floor (in a tent), no snow. I just pulled the sleeping bag over me and laid on the pad in long underwear and it was warm under me. If you move to an area of the pad that you haven't warmed, its not as warm, eh? But is was very comfy, eh? Aboot as comfy as anything that I've used except a warmlight down filled 3" air mattress, eh?
Jim


Edited by Jimshaw (02/21/10 01:48 PM)
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#129250 - 02/21/10 02:35 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Boomer]
Mroberts Offline
newbie

Registered: 02/21/10
Posts: 11
Loc: California, USA
I use a foam pad as well. Perhaps that is just because I dislike change and that is what I have always used but the lightweight composition is an advantage.
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CanopiesAndTarps.com - Outdoor Tarps And Canopy Products

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#129265 - 02/21/10 05:54 PM Re: Inflatable vs Foam [Re: Mroberts]
thecook Offline


Registered: 10/03/08
Posts: 541
Loc: Minnesota
For Minnesota winter, I use a full lenth, uncored, 1.5" thermarest with a full length CCF 3/8" pad. I'm about to upgrade to a Ridgerest (maybe deluxe) because my 28 year old insolite pad bit the dust this last trip. That combination is just barely enough for me. On really cold (-15 kind of cold) nights I can feel cool on the bottom. In the morning, the snow will be slightly melted under me. I know I sleep (feeling) cold, but conversely put out a lot of heat. In temps down to around 15 just the thermarest or a Ether thermo and a torso length CCF is enough.
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If I wouldn't eat it at home, why would I want to eat it on the trail?

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