Foam Sleeping Pads buying guide

When it comes to having a good bed outdoors, you have to opt for foam sleeping pads. They provide an excellent seeping place and deliver fantastic insulation and cushioning.

However, selecting any one model without prior research is not a good idea. You have to consider the size and weight of your body. Other than this, you have to look into the R-Value, type, adaptability, and other additional properties.

These aspects are essential as they are the deciding factors for you to have a good sleep at night in the outdoors. So, you need proper information on these aspects.

Looking here and there at different resources will waste your time, and you will get confused quickly. To resolve this issue, we have prepared a buying guide that contains all the necessary details regarding the product.

All you need is to analyze your requirements with the pointers and pin down the best model. With this guide, you can carry out your selection process with ease as you will get all the information organized in a structured way. So, without any further delay, let us start with a quick introduction and then move further into this extensive guide.

What are Foam sleeping pads? Why should you opt for them?

Travelling requires tons of preparation! From mosquito repellent to phone charger, everything seems necessary! Campaigning and trekking can prove even worse! Among rough sticks, stones, and bare, dry grounds, your lovely trip memories can be hampered by backaches and stiff waists.

Foam sleeping pads for outdoors is likewise a fundamental thing that can take hours if you sit down to choose one!

Though the primary function of foam sleeping pads centers on resting, the mats can have a few other unique capacities too, when you're out in nature. They can be utilized whenever you have to sit on the ground.

For instance, if you have to cook something, to try not to come into contact with soil that may be cold and wet, or can be valuable on the off chance that you have to change shoes and don't have any desire to put your drained, sweat-soaked feet on the ground. The way that the mats can be folded into various shapes, likewise adds to their flexibility.

Things to deem about while selecting appropriate Foam sleeping pads

Shapes and Sizing

Foam Sleep pads arrive in an assortment of sizes to oblige various necessities. They're estimated in inches or centimeters, so it's challenging to figure out what size pad you need, dependent on your body physique. You must pick a dozing place that is a couple of inches longer than your height so that your feet won't hang off at the end.

Notwithstanding length, the width and shape of your foam sleeping pad are critical to consider. Most measured resting pads are 20 inches, which serves the commonly estimated camper well regarding solace, weight, and packability.

If you feel like you need more space to move around evening time, a more extensive huge size foam sleeping pads, adding 5 inches to the width, making them 25 inches wide or rectangular shape - might be a definitive decision. Some of the standard shapes are as follows-

1. Mummy shaped

Mummy shape pads are just shaped like the coffins of Egyptian mummies! Unlike rectangular pads, they provide enough shape toward the feet to provide more space for easily fitting in our legs and torso. They are best for weight-cognizant explorers.

2. Short length

They are best for youngsters who want to spare some of their weight and need more space for utilizing other stuff beneath their torso. Regularly they range between 120–150 centimeters long.

3. Extra-length

A healthy alternative for long heightened sleepers who don't need their feet hanging outside the pad and touching the solid ground. Commonly they are of 190+cm size.

4. Extra-wide

Ideal for individuals and naughty kids who thrash for somewhat more space. Ordinarily 60+cm wide.

5. 2-man

Light and more compact than a couple of pads stacked together with no openings in the middle! Apt for couples.

6. Women's explicit

They are slightly longer and have more protection in the center, where ladies feel the chilly most.

Comfort

Comfort is the main element of a foam sleeping pad and the one that will most impact your evenings in a tent. Fortunately, foam sleeping pads offer great help when put on a rough landscape. However, there are as yet a couple of alternatives to consider before making up your choice. First of all, look at the thickness of the foam layer you will lie on and consider that your weight will additionally pack it, acquiring you closer contact with the harsh surface beneath. In such a manner, self-swelling pads dominate due to their capacity to give a thicker boundary than different models. Then again, if your principal concern is warmth, you should pick a closed-cell foam sleeping pad since heat catching is their best quality.

Dense and Waterproof

Closed-cell foam sleeping pad arrives in a different scope of densities. On the other hand, outdoor camping pads are also framed as lightweight for traveling, campaigns, and exploring. The thickness can be expanded for colder temperatures to build-up its protecting properties. It effectively makes a sturdy, agreeable, protective, and soft layer between body and ground.

Because of the differentiated cell structure, polyethylene froth does not permit water to move into the foam. Every cell is encased, implying that it doesn't act like a wipe and does not retain any water. This is exceptionally gainful for wet conditions and tents inclined to get moisture upon their surfaces.

R-Value

One component of foam sleeping pads that is barely noticeable is protection against winds. The air in an inflatable pad or the thick foam in a close cell dozing pad warms up your body with heat and protects you from the virus ground.

Some additionally include a warmth intelligent material in their development, which coordinates body heat back toward you instead of moving it to the ground. This property of foam sleeping pads is referred to as R-value. It indicates how well a foam sleeping pad opposes the progression of cold.

The insulation scale incorporates these measurements on a scale from 0 to 6. The higher the number, the better it'll be at keeping you warm. Though there are pads available even with R-values around 10, however, those are generally excess. Search for an R-estimation of around one if you typically camp in hotter months and around 4 for colder temperatures.

R-value also depends upon the material being utilized to increase insulation. Here two options are available to us-

1. Metal material

These profoundly intelligent aluminized covers reflect heat radiation effectively.

2. Synthetic Fibre insulation

This choice consists of a soft layer engineered for fiber protection that traps your body heat and obstructs you and cold weather. Even though it is somewhat bulkier and heavier when gotten together, it's a financially savvy and productive approach to keep you hotter.

Sleeping Pad Length

At the very least, your shoulders and hips must fit the sleeping pad. Customary (commonly 72 inches in length) and long (ordinarily 78-inch) pads will protect your legs and feet—a significant relief on burning summers and winter trips.

A short or 3/4-length pad (typically 47 or 48 inches) gauges less and packs more modestly. You can put your garments or your pack under your legs and feet for some protection!

Sleeping Pad Width

Practically every sleeping foam pad offers a standard width of 20 inches. In case you have a big body, you may need a width of 25 or 30. Frequently the "long" adaptation of sleeping foam pads defaults to being more extensive too. However, in certain styles, you can get a wide one that is still of "ordinary" length to perfectly fit in within your tents!

Adaptability

Close cell froth is effectively managed and cut with blades. This could be particularly valuable on the chance that you need a particular shape to be formed and molded for narrow spaces, for example, mummy hiking beds and 1-man hiking tents.

It additionally implies additional weight can be disposed of. Closed foam sleeping pads cell froth can likewise be utilized for any problem with soles if an issue with climbing boots emerges. They are thus flexible, delicate, and impervious to the dampness of antibacterial properties.

However, you must keep in mind one thing, you could have the hottest resting pad by referring to R-value, yet at the same time be cold around evening time. This is because, on the grounds, you'll need both your hiking bag and your dozing pad to be well adjusted. So, it is necessary to have good tuning with your sleep system for a better comfort experience.

Season

The best foam sleeping pads are useful for all seasons, so you won't need to stress purchasing various ones relying upon the season you intend to take them off. However, to be worry-free of weather change, search for a pad with a waterproof layer around it.

The remaining things require nothing. Just take care of this in case you're inclining towards a hotter climate camping bed, pick a pad with a lower R-esteem. For a colder climate hiking bed, pick a pad with a higher R-esteem.

Durability

Enormous pads can set aside a long effort to explode in case you're simply utilizing your breath. Even though it's strange, dampness from your ground beneath can mold shape or ice develop inside your pads.

Also, while going for climbing, foam sleeping pads will be with you throughout the harsh landscape and into the forested areas, so you should be certain they will look in one piece toward the day's end if you need to have something to lay on at the end of the day.

The pads that are made by a straight layer of foam with no defensive covering are the most powerless since they can undoubtedly catch and tear on branches while you're climbing. Search for foam sleeping pads that are made of froth encased in outer polyester to minimize the chance of any wear and tear.

Pad Inflation and Surface

Sleeping foam pads have both an expanding and deflating valve, circulating wind current in and out. There are two types of foam sleeping pads. They are known as a self-inflating and closed cell. Self-inflating pads are a mix of open-cell foam insulation and air.

Letting the valves open up allows the foam to expand, and air comes in. They offer higher insulation. Closed-cell pads are made of dense foam filled with tiny closed air cells. Thus, they do not provide much inflation since they are tightly packed. Some new foam sleeping pads have bigger openings that ensure rapid swelling with fewer' breaths.'

The pads with isolated expanding covering can give you true serenity; on one side, that layer falls flat, the other side consists of padding.

In case you're a fretful sleeper, lookup for a pad with the proper surface that has a good finishing. This helps shield you and your camping bed from sliding off during the night.

Other Sleeping Pad considerations

1. Pad sleeves

Some hiking beds have a coordinated sleeve to hold a pad. This shields you and your hiking bed from sliding off in the night. Check the sleeve width before you purchase.

2. Hand siphons

If you don't care for fatigue breath following a monotonous day of climbing, search for sleeping foam pads with a coordinated hand siphon or buy a pack style hand siphon that moves up little and weighs a few ounces (sold independently).

3. Patch kits

These are a smart choice for hiking. See if they accompany the pad or are sold independently. Make sure to see how to fix a cut before you venture out from home, if by chance that you need to fix one.

Affordability

Pick up a mattress that lasts long and do not prick a hole in your pocket. Though good quality mattresses are a bit expensive, considering their properties and material, they are worthwhile. Branding matters too in deciding the price while purchasing.

FAQs

1. How is the closed-cell variant better than an open-cell foam sleeping pad?

In the closed cell variant, the foam of the sleeping pad is made of closed cells. The closed cells make the foamless flexible and stiffer than those made using the open cells. The significant feature of the closed-cell foam sleeping pads is that it is more insulating and warm. The amount of insulation offered by the closed cells cannot be matched by that provided by the open cells.

Though the closed cells foam is a bit uncomfortable because of its sturdiness, its insulating properties make it better than the open cells foam sleeping pad. The higher the insulating property is, the more body heat is trapped inside, and hence you stay warm even on freezing winter nights.

2. Why should I use a foam pad over a regular sleeping pad?

When you lie down on a regular foam, you will find it uncomfortable to sleep because the pad doesn't adjust its shape according to your body shape. It is a significant drawback of a regular sleeping pad.

On the other hand, a foam sleeping pad adapts itself to your body shape and keeps you comfortable throughout your sleeping duration. Also, a foam sleeping pad's insulation property is more than a regular sleeping pad. Hence, you should prefer a foam pad over a regular sleeping pad to have a peaceful and sound sleep.

3. Which type of foam should I opt for?

The sleeping pads that you have at your home may be made of latex, gel, or polyurethane. These materials may not be very comfortable because they don't provide you the required bounce. The stiffness restricts your body movement, and you cannot sleep well.

Memory foam is the best type of foam you should opt for if you want a good sleep. It is soft, flexible, and adapts quickly to your body shape. The comfort that you get is incredible, and you won't feel like leaving the bed.

4. Do I have to buy different foam sleeping pads for different seasons?

No! You don't have to buy a new foam sleeping pad every time you enter a new season. These sleeping pads can be used year-round and negate the need to buy a specific sleeping pad for a specific month. They are also incredibly comfortable, so whether it is summer, winter, or monsoon, you will always have a good sleeping area to reduce fatigue.

5. What should I use to prevent my foam sleeping pad from slipping?

Often, the sleeping pad slips on the floor of the tent, due to which you may find it very difficult to sleep. To prevent the sleeping pad from slipping, you can stick a Velcro strap. The Velcro strap, when stitched to your sleeping pad such that it stays between the tent's floor and your sleeping pad, prevents it from slipping and so you can have a peaceful night without any trouble.

6. How does the R-value affect my foam sleeping pad?

The higher the R-value of your sleeping bag, the more insulating it will be. Generally, the R-value ranges from 2 to 5 or may sometimes even go higher. If your sleeping pad's R-value is two or less than 2, then it won't provide you the appropriate amount of insulation.

Whereas, an R-value of 5 or more is excellent because you will be sleeping under the sky, and your body heat is the only source of warmth that you can avail in the wild. Hence, opt for a higher R-value of your foam sleeping pad.

7. Can I put my sleeping pad inside my sleeping bag?

The ideal way of using a sleeping pad is to put it underneath your sleeping bag and sleep. But many times, some campers put it inside their sleeping bags to get more comfort and keep it protected from the rugged surface. You can also put it inside your sleeping bag, but before that, you must ensure that your sleeping bag has adequate room to accommodate you and the sleeping pad inside it.

8. Can ever my foam sleeping pad overheat?

Yes, your foam sleeping pad might sometimes overheat due to the ambient temperatures. If you are placing it on hot ground, mostly in the summer season, your sleeping pad will likely absorb the ground temperature. This absorption will eventually raise the sleeping pad's temperature, which will then get transferred to your body.

9. What if I use my yoga mat instead of a foam sleeping pad?

You will make a blunder here because a yoga mat shouldn't be used as a sleeping pad. A yoga mat is thinner than a foam sleeping pad, making you uncomfortable while you are sleeping. Also, being thinner, they don't provide the same amount of insulation as a sleeping pad. Hence, never use a yoga mat in place of a foam sleeping pad.

10. Do I need to have a foam sleeping pad while outdoors?

It is a personal choice because you already have a sleeping bag to sleep in. A foam sleeping bed offers you appropriate cushioning and provides you comfort. It restricts your body from coming in contact with the rough ground. Using a foam sleeping pad, you can have a comfortable sleeping session and get the desired warmth and insulation.

Summing Up

Foam sleeping pads provide a simple and effective solution to keep yourself warm outdoors at night. Moreover, the right model will provide adequate cushioning and support to your body.

You can re-energize by resting anytime you want without any unnecessary hassle.

The main concern is to pick the right one. We have prepared this guide to aid your selection process. You will get all the information about the product in this guide with the prominent questions and queries.

Skim through it and clear your doubts regarding any aspect of the product. Select an elite pad and have safe outdoor adventures.