Alpine_Tom Posted December 31, 2002 Posted December 31, 2002 I don't think this has been covered on this forum yet. I've been using a Cascade Designs 3/4 length thermarest, and I'm happy with it. But I need to buy a new sleeping pad for my son, and am wondering what advice you might have. It has to be light, because he's young, but I want it to be reasonably comfortable. And if there's something I should get for him so I can use it instead of mine, then what is it? Quote
b-rock Posted December 31, 2002 Posted December 31, 2002 I have a full length ThermaRest Lite (the thinner one) and it works well for me. The thin design is only a bit of a problem on winter outings (I have a small piece of foam pad to supplement when I need it), and I love the way it folds in half lengthwise before rolling up - ends up being a roll about 10 inches long by 5 inches diameter which fits well inside a pack. Quote
Dr_Flash_Amazing Posted December 31, 2002 Posted December 31, 2002 Before DFA pretty much quit backpacking and got his Camprest LE (at least as comfortable as the bed at home!), he had good results with a 3/4-length standard Thermarest on a full-length Ridge Rest. Sort of a lot to carry, but the Ridge Rest isn't too heavy, and if you use one o' them ultra-light Thermarest jobbies, you'd be in good shape. Could even trim the RR down a bit if need be, at least some at the corners or around the feet. Not a bad combo, and if the Therma goes flat, you at least still have something to sleep on. Â Otherwise, a Subaru is nice to sleep in, too. Quote
Pencil_Pusher Posted December 31, 2002 Posted December 31, 2002 MEC sells some yellow foam ones that do a pretty good job cushioning the hip and ribs from the rocks. www.mec.ca Plus, they're cheap and light! Quote
Highlander Posted December 31, 2002 Posted December 31, 2002 3/4 ridge rest and if your sleeping on snow, use your pack for insulation. Quote
fern Posted December 31, 2002 Posted December 31, 2002 how big is your kid? Â maybe get the lightest full length thermarest, and fold it to half-length/double-thickness for him or just use it normal style for yourself when he's not along. Â a small person might find the bulkiness of a foam pad or ridgerest strapped on their pack just as awkward as the extra few grams of a more compact t-rest. Quote
fleblebleb Posted January 1, 2003 Posted January 1, 2003 I have 3/4 length and full length self-inflatables and closed foam mattresses. The shorter ones are the thinnest Thermarest and Ridgerest, the longer ones are a thin Karrimat that I use under the short Thermarest, and a regular Thermarest. Â If I had to own only two I'd pick the Karrimat and the 3/4-length Thermarest. Â BTW my short Thermarest is 5 years old and got two punctures in it last summer. I took it to Cascade Designs and they fixed it for free. I'm going to be using the short Ridgerest on most summer trips but it isn't as warm as the Thermarest. Quote
Kevin_Ristau Posted January 1, 2003 Posted January 1, 2003 I use a cascade designs Z-rest. Very light and compact. Surprisingly comfortable. Quote
Alpine_Tom Posted January 2, 2003 Author Posted January 2, 2003 My son is now five (as of today!) and is about 3'6" so he's not that big. Yet. I guess the question is, why would I choose a Z-rest, or other closed-cell pad over a self-inflating Thermarast, besides a slight weight (and cost) savings? I guess there is the issue of puncture protection; on a multi-day backcountry trip, that could cast a pall over the whole trip. I don't know how likely that is to happen, tho. And the free repair thing is part of what sold me in the first place. Quote
allison Posted January 2, 2003 Posted January 2, 2003 Foam pads are bulky, and depending on design, they can wear out a lot quicker. They are cheaper. Â Inflatable pads are always more comfortable, except when they are flat, and then they are not comfortable at all. They are easily field-repairable, but you're either going to do field repair in the middle of the night when you discover the leak, or spend one night on a flat pad. Major drag, especially while on snow. Â Having said this, I own a variety of both kinds of pads, and currently use a cut down Ridge Rest with a 3/4 light T-Rest inflatable for most circumstances where I have to carry the stuff. Quote
Highlander Posted January 2, 2003 Posted January 2, 2003 The good thing about foam pads is that they are idiot proof. Quote
mwills Posted January 2, 2003 Posted January 2, 2003 dr doom and his clan use the fancy yellow pads . i believe they are the ones from MEC (evazote). Quote
fleblebleb Posted January 2, 2003 Posted January 2, 2003 I think it took me a couple of trips to realize that my thermarest had a puncture. I would inflate it and go to sleep and be kind of cold but try not to mind to bad, then I'd be in such a hurry in the morning that I didn't notice it was flat by then. There were two punctures but they were so small that it took quite awhile for the air to leak out. Quote
David_Parker Posted January 2, 2003 Posted January 2, 2003 For the most part, kids are made of rubber and don't need much padding. Warmth is more of the issue. A cut down ridge rest would be fine as would the ultra light 3/4 thermarest. Obviously length for a five year old is not an issue. Quote
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