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I gave up on my fancy ultralight sleeping pad after a cold night in the Adirondacks
I used to think a 12 ounce inflatable pad was the only way to go for backpacking, but that changed last October. I was on a trip near Lake Placid and the temps dropped way lower than forecast. I spent the whole night feeling every rock and the cold ground through that thin pad, maybe it's just me but I couldn't sleep at all. Now I carry a closed-cell foam pad that weighs a bit more but never fails. Has anyone else switched back to simpler gear after a bad experience?
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jake_chen6mo ago
Ever try stacking your foam pad on top of the inflatable one? I do that for winter trips. The foam stops the cold air inside the inflatable from stealing your heat, and you still get cushion.
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williamh486mo ago
Been there, done that, got the cold backside to prove it. My fancy inflatable pad turned into a giant ice pack on a trip in the White Mountains. You start the night on a cloud and wake up on a slab of cold plastic. Now my foam pad rolls out every time, no fuss. It's like the old saying, fool me once with a cold night, shame on you, fool me twice...well, I'm not getting fooled again.
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charlie3844mo ago
Have you tried putting a thin closed-cell foam pad underneath the inflatable instead of on top? It traps the ground cold before it reaches your pad and keeps the insulation working the whole night.
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