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#240829 - 02/09/12 06:49 PM Don't forget...Sleeping pad
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
One of my favorite comfort items..a nice foam sleeping pad...easy to pack and makes naps so much more comfortable

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#240837 - 02/09/12 09:04 PM Re: Don't forget...Sleeping pad [Re: TeacherRO]
Finn Offline
Member

Registered: 08/04/11
Posts: 173
Loc: Colonial Heights, VA
Been debating that. Never used it in the army, but now I'm thinking that its an extra layer of protection from the cold, wet ground.
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People don't like to be meddled with.
~River Tam

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#240855 - 02/10/12 01:47 AM Re: Don't forget...Sleeping pad [Re: TeacherRO]
bacpacjac Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 3601
Loc: Ontario, Canada
The older, and more arthriticie I get, the more I appreciate a good sleeping pad!
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#240862 - 02/10/12 03:46 AM Re: Don't forget...Sleeping pad [Re: TeacherRO]
unimogbert Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 08/10/06
Posts: 882
Loc: Colorado
I carry a large square of closed cell blue foam as an insulated situpon pad. Have used it to sit under a poncho back up against a stump waiting out thunderstorms and for someplace to sit in a snow pit when x-c skiing.

I carry it in my daypack for the possibility of spending the night out tending my survival fire. Good insulation is really important.

For backpacking I like the Ridgerest pads. Thicker cushion for sleeping but much more durable than the Thermarest inflatable. (I tend to bushwhack and the pads get a bit frazzled)

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#240863 - 02/10/12 05:11 AM Re: Don't forget...Sleeping pad [Re: TeacherRO]
Phaedrus Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3148
Loc: Big Sky Country
Most sleeping bag ratings stipulate a ground pad underneath. Your body weight will compress the bottom of the bag killing most of the loft. You really need a pad in cold weather.
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“I'd rather have questions that cannot be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” —Richard Feynman

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#240866 - 02/10/12 06:28 AM Re: Don't forget...Sleeping pad [Re: Phaedrus]
morto Offline
Newbie

Registered: 06/29/08
Posts: 26
Loc: Melton, Victoria, Australia
Couldn't agree more about the insulation benefits of a foam pad.

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#240867 - 02/10/12 06:55 AM Re: Don't forget...Sleeping pad [Re: TeacherRO]
bones996 Offline
Stranger

Registered: 03/18/11
Posts: 10
Loc: Central Pennsylvania
I've always considered a sleeping pad one of my essential pieces of gear after sleeping on the cold hard ground a time or two. Without one the ground can/will pull the heat out of you & make you even colder.

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#240868 - 02/10/12 07:46 AM Re: Don't forget...Sleeping pad [Re: TeacherRO]
CANOEDOGS Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 02/03/07
Posts: 1853
Loc: MINNESOTA
getting a pad into a survival kit would be quite a trick,in a BOB which is sort of a camping kit,not so hard.for my camping trips i use a 2 inch thermarest and it's much better than blue foam or even a 1 inch thermarest.thats one bit of gear i don't cheat on even if it's a bit heavy.i sleep well but do wake up at least once a night to turn over.anyone who have been in the Army will tell you that along with a hot meal that sleep,and just not rest,will recharge your battery for whats next.not having a pad in my ditch kit i would go all out to make some sort of a soft spot to sleep.

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#240884 - 02/10/12 05:27 PM Re: Don't forget...Sleeping pad [Re: TeacherRO]
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
In an internal frame pack, roll it loosely ad pack stuff inside it.

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#240886 - 02/10/12 06:01 PM Re: Don't forget...Sleeping pad [Re: TeacherRO]
BruceZed Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 01/06/08
Posts: 319
Loc: Canada
I carry a closed cell foam sitting pad (approximately) 30cm x 40cm (12in x 15in) in the back(inside) of my two day packs. I use this every time I stop just to make breaks more comfortable and my posterior dryer.

In a Survival Situation I would supplement it with the day pack itself. These are all backed with closed cell foam. Between the sitting pad and my bigger day pack I have a fairly good mattress.

I would place these above my Four-Finger Bowbed and/or any other biomass the forest might have if their is no evergreen bows.

Improvisation keeps us comfortable and alive in the wilderness and a mattress can make the difference between descent sleep and no sleep.
_________________________
Bruce Zawalsky
Chief Instructor
Boreal Wilderness Institute
boreal.net

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