Nemo Switchback Foam Sleeping Pad

Product Information

The Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated pad is a solid no-frills option that treads the line between being ultralight and delivering a comfortable night in night out performance. Durable materials: The Xtherm boasts the sturdiest bottom fabric of any pad on this list (70D nylon on the bottom and 30D on top).

Nemo Switchback Regular Sleeping Mat | UK | Basecamp Gear

More importantly, the relatively rigid shape makes it an excellent floaty for swimming in alpine lakes. Whether you are going hiking, camping or on long epic expedition, a good nights sleep can make all the difference between a great trip and a terrible one. We all know that getting in some quality Zzzzs refreshes the mind and the body and sets us up for an awesome day out on the trail. Couples will like that the baffles for each side of the mat are inflated separately, which reduces the likelihood that your partner will wake you up in the middle of the night, while individuals using the Ultra 3R Duo will appreciate that they roll through seamlessly, avoiding an uncomfortable spot in the middle of the mat. But even if you’re going to use the heaviest pad on this list, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Nxt Max Sleeping Pad, you should still be able to run comfortably if the rest of your kit is well thought out, with no redundancy and individual items that have multiple uses for efficiency. So, if you prioritize comfort, you may have to spend a little more time dialing in other parts of your kit. Although no inflatable pad will ever be truly quiet, I’ve found Big Agnes pads to be among the least squeaky I’ve tried. I also like that the Rapide is available in six different sizes so you can dial the fit, weight, and price according to your needs. Even though the valve design with separate inflate and deflate valves is clunkier than some, it makes setting up camp hassle-free. Noteworthy FeaturesI need nearly the most long lasting equipment that exists, because even equipment of well known high quality brands falls in pieces within a few month in my use. After I replaced a lot of my old military equipment with modern lightweight equipment, I binned most of it and digged out my old stuff. I think it is definitely possible to complete the AT or a longer thru-hike while only using one of these sleeping pads. The padding is guaranteed to compress, making it less comfortable than a new pad, but there are probably thousands of thru-hikers, hundreds at least, who have made it five months on the same pad. That said, I have seen many cruddy Z Lites in hiker boxes. Did these people get off trail, buy a new Z Lite, or upgrade to an inflatable? Who knows. Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio: Therm-a-Rest has long been an industry leader on this front. The XLite NXT’s 4.5 R-value at just 12.5 ounces blows the competition out of the water.

Nemo Switchback Regular Sleeping Mat | UK | Ultralight

I've never used an inflatable mat for wild camping....I don't trust them & I camp with a dog which ain't compatable with anything inflatable. Size Range: S (20 inches x 48 inches) to XL (25 inches x 78 inches) and a double-wide (50 inches x 78 inches)

We recently sold our old adventure van and bought a new one to accommodate our growing family. We took our maiden voyage to the Oregon coast for a camping trip with close friends two weekends ago and spent this past weekend camping in the Gifford Pinchot and Mount Hood National Forests. I think that filtering water will always be a lame chore. The Squeeze is one of the better filter systems available, especially for solo hikers. I also really like the Platypus GravityWorks system, which is what I used for the majority of the CDT. I definitely recommend that if filtering water for more than one person, and I use it solo anyway because it’s so easy to use. It weighs more than the Squeeze for sure (~8oz vs. ~3oz), but depending on my mood and the type of trip, I think it’s worth it. It comes down to personal preference, really. R-value is a measure of a sleeping pad’s ability to prevent the loss of body heat to the cold ground. The higher the R-value, the warmer the pad will be. For the American market, all Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads are built in the USA, using potentially imported materials. This is a point of pride for the company, as it says it benefits both the environment and product development.

Closed cell foam sleep mat for winter use? | BushcraftUK Closed cell foam sleep mat for winter use? | BushcraftUK

This pad is well suited for thru-hiking. The insulation factor means it can be used functionally even on the coldest nights, yet I never had issues with it being too warm in the summer months. It held up pretty well for most of the PCT where I used it and has only recently received its first pinhole. As mentioned above, even on the slightly taller side of the spectrum, this pad is plenty of bed to get cozy on.The MSR Habiscape was designed for families and groups who want solid weather protection and convenience for their frontcountry camping trips. Eszter Horanyi identifies as a Runner Under Duress, in that she’ll run if it gets her deep into the mountains or canyons faster than walking would, but she’ll most likely complain about it. A retired long-distance bike racer, she gave ultra foot racing a go and finished the Ouray 100 in 2017, but ultimately decided that she prefers a slower pace of life of taking photos during long days in the mountains and smelling the flowers while being outside for as many hours of the day as possible. Eszter will take any opportunity to go adventuring in the mountains or desert by foot, bike, or boat, and has lived the digital nomad lifestyle throughout the west for the past seven years. Women need higher R-values pads because they have lower body mass than men. An additional R-value of 1 is usually a good hedge for women and other cold sleepers

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The bigger longevity issue of inflatables has to do with the durability of the insulation. Synthetic insulation, such as that used in the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat, can compress over time, just like a foam pad. And the aluminized film insulation found on Therm-a-Rest and NEMO pads can flake off with use. Some manufacturers recommend that you try not to introduce moisture into your pad, to begin with, and then store it uncompressed and with the valve open to mitigate these issues. The Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat neither offended nor impressed any of our testers. In size regular, it weighs 19.3 ounces with the inflation bag and 17.9 ounces without.

Durability: While CCF may be rugged, I hesitate to call it durable. It can handle punctures, but heavy use will compress and deform the material over time, just like the midsole of your favorite trail shoes. Conversely, inflatable pads can’t handle punctures but will maintain performance and comfort for many years if leaks are avoided. for a regular length and width in a mummy style, or the closest possible option How We Tested the Best Sleeping Pads