A guy at the REI in Portland changed my mind about sleeping pads

I was looking at a basic foam pad last month when a guy named Mark told me his Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite saved a trip in the Olympics. He said the R-value of 4.2 kept him warm when temps hit 28 degrees, while his buddy's cheap pad was freezing. I ended up getting one and the weight difference is huge, only 12 ounces. Has anyone else switched from foam to an inflatable and been surprised?

3 comments

3 Comments

roberth666d ago

Seriously, the noise though.

wade_kelly776d ago

I used to brush off the noise as just part of camping. Then I got a pad that was so loud it actually kept me awake, just shifting my own weight. It completely changed my view. Now I see it's not a small thing, it's a major flaw that ruins the peace of being outdoors. I won't even look at a pad now without checking reviews for noise first.

troyknight6d ago

The noise is a real deal breaker for some people. My old one sounded like a bag of chips every time I moved. It got so bad my friend made me set up my tent downwind. Newer pads are supposed to be quieter, but that crinkly sound seems built into the design.