How to Pick a Camping Pad
One of the more important pieces of gear in your backpack should be your sleeping pad. Although proper clothing, a sleeping bag and shelter are all important to your enjoyment of the wilderness, your sleeping pad is your first defense against creeping cold air. A good sleeping pad will use your body's heat to insulate your sleeping body in the backcountry. Choosing a sleeping pad is relatively simple, but you must make several personal preference decisions.
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Instructions
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Decide how long your trip will be. Thick, bulkier sleeping pads provide better insulation and help you sleep warmer, but if you're trekking 20 or more miles a day for a long period, you'll want to consider a lightweight model.
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Decide between foam and inflatable pads. Foam pads--especially closed-cell pads--insulate better than inflatable pads, but can be difficult to pack each morning. Inflatable pads offer better comfort for your body, but be sure to get an insulated one--the noninsulated ones simply trap cold air.
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Decide whether lightweight is for you. For example, a lightweight, open-cell foam pad (which is 70 percent less effective than a closed-cell pad) is about the least amount of weight you could carry. At the same time, you'll be sacrificing both comfort and insulation.
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Choose a heavier option if you have problems sleeping. Either a closed-cell foam pad or insulated inflatable model give you a warmer sleeping situation and more comfort for your back. You will, however, be carrying more weight and bulk than if you choose a lightweight model.
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Understand that inflatable models are likely to puncture. Although it's not too difficult to repair punctures in the backcountry--though you may need to immerse the pad in water--it can be frustrating. When laying out an inflatable sleeping pad, make sure the ground is free from rocks and other debris.
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References
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