How do you store your sleeping pad? Therm-a-rest states that they should be stored unrolled; however, I would want something that could be stored in my pack, quick to go. Anyone have any recommendations or suggestions? Should I go with a closed cell? Are they affected by heat/cold? I keep my pack in the car by day but it follows be inside at night. Actually I sleep with it by my bed because GF won't let me put it in the bed. Is that wrong? She says I have issues.

Thanks

Blitz

I think the foam in the inflatable thermarests can get compacted if they are stored rolled long term.

The closed cell z-rest folds up like an accordian and stores compactly.

Also, a closed cell pad is better in the winter because it insulates better against the cold ground than an inflatable does. (Closed cell they are not as cushy, of course, I love my Thermarest Camp Rest.)

I've kept mine deflated and tightly rolled up for the past 10 years or so. Guess I forgot to read my Therm-a-rest instruction booklet Over that time, I've used it monthly on overnighters and for a yearly weak long hike in the summer. It doesn't self inflate anymore, so I have to blow it up manually now, which doesn't take long at all. Aside from this minor inconvenience, the mattress still keeps me warm, is still very comfortable, and has given me no other issues.

I store my Thermarest Basecamp XL and Tennier MSS bag unrolled so that I don't compact the fill any more than necessary. I just hope that in an emergency I have 10 minutes to roll both of them up and attach them to my BOB.

In both cases, the manufacturer suggests that the items should be stored in an uncompressed state. It's probably a good idea for the equipment's longevity, but I don't know if it will prove to be a problem in an emergency.

Hi Blitz,

I am with Rio, I have stored my Therm-a-rest rolled-up in the supplied bag for at least 15 years, it still works for me.

No one on this site will think you have issues, your normal, just like the rest of us!

Concerning your GF not letting you keep your BOB in bed, that is not a problem, yet. The problem comes after she becomes becomes DW and all of your "cute survival stuff" is re-classified as cr*p and relegated to the storage room in the basement (yes, I too have issues).

Mike

I've managed to avoid the DW thing for quite a while now (14 years), but I know it's just a matter of time. Trying to go for a record. A plus is that we don't have a basement so that option is out for her.

Thanks

Blitz

I guess I'm just lucky. My DW actually asked me the other day whether we had enough ammunition stored. Normally, she is completely uninterested in "survivalism" topics and preparations generally, but she is a pessimist, and therefore both understands and supports my efforts in disaster and emergency preparedness.

Jeff

I store my Thermarest flat under my bed.

I'll give another vote for the Z-rest if you want something small, light, and easy to store. It's not as comfortable as the Thermarest, but it has many advantages. If I were to keep one stowed and ready to go, it'd be my Z-rest.

Kevin B.

I store my Thermorest unrolled and inflated between the back of the couch and the wall, standing on its side. Actually I store two of them behind the same couch. Since the back of the couch "leans", it is wasted space anyway.

In the bed=issues
By the bed=OK

"...GF won't let me put it in the bed. Is that wrong..."

If you would want something like a pack to work its way between you and a warm body, you do indeed have issues.

As for the pad, last week I pulled my Thermarest out of the pod on our car for the first time in a couple of years. Unrolled it, opened the valve, let it breathe for a few hours, gave it a dozen or so puffs of air (I know that puts moisture in the thing, etc, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do). Slept like a baby for three nights...

I've had my thermarest long standard since the mid 1990's and have always stored it rolled up in the stuff sack. I think it has lost some of its self-inflation ability as a result, but that's not a big deal, I just blow it up by breath, which doesn't take that long. Or it will still self-inflate if I'm willing to wait a while. It's just not as quick as when it was new. Overall I don't consider this issue terribly important, so I don't bother trying to unroll the pad for storage.

All my family's pads (too many of them) are in the basement on a top shelf. They are unrolled and the self-inflatables have their valves left open.

Even closed cell foam will loose shape if left compressed over time.

[quote=OldBaldGuy]"...GF won't let me put it in the bed. Is that wrong..."

If you would want something like a pack to work its way between you and a warm body, you do indeed have issues.

Thank for confirming OBG, But I didn't say "between" us.

The thermarests are stored unrolled, with the valves open. The good sleeping bags are also stored in large breathable cotton bags, uncompressed. Doesn't make much sense to me to buy quality gear then compromise it by storing it improperly.

As a compromise, the BOB's contain old ridge rest foam pads and large wool blankets (CTD mothball-stench-specials). Time permitting, I can grab the good stuff. But if I need to haul ash, at least I'm covered.

I've eyeballed Wiggy's bags for years now, but haven't pulled the trigger. According to Wiggy's hype, his bags do not lose loft after long term compression. Anyone try this?

Uhm... Isn't Mass a common law state? If it is, after 14 years, you've been outrun by time. :P

I store my bags and pads unrolled, but as others have suggested, I too have a couple of rolled blankets. But keeping the pack on the bed... yeah, that's a little fetishistic. *shudders* Not healthy man. :P Now, under the bed is good, particularly if you build BOB a girlfriend, for your mate.

OK, so the bag stays out of the bed, I guess I can live with that, I have others issues to work on anyway. BTW, MA isn't a common law state. Actually have to go to a wedding this weekend, tried to get out of it and go camping in VT but she would have none of that. Who gets married on a holiday weekend anyway? Thanks everyone for the input. Anybody have a z-rest?

Thanks

Blitz

Blitz, didn't you explain to your better half that you don't like going to weddings or funerals. Because either way someone's life just ended. Saying that may also solve your problem of where to store your bag.

RayW
Thanks for the suggestion! Telling her that would certainly enable me a way to sharpen my rapid deployment skills as well as test some of my newer gear. Maybe I will be camping in VT this weekend.

Blitz