Sleeping Pad Comfort: Self-Inflating

Yes, sleeping pads = comfort!

I don't know why, but as a child I could sleep on nearly anything and never notice. Life outdoors meant clean fresh air and comforting adventure.

In those days we simply purchased an air mattress for a buck and blew and blew until we were light-headedly dizzy, giggling like crazy! Then we would hand our mattresses over to an adult to finish the job. I don't know how our parents, aunts or uncles managed to blow up all those air mattresses without passing out!

Staying Warm--

After leaving home, I began my own backpacking adventures with friends and eventually my husband. Somehow we managed to hike and camp nearly every weekend. I discovered that air mattresses can be rather cold in the mountains. The trapped air would cool down, just like an unheated water bed, so I would end up shivering when temperatures dropped.

Then I discovered Therm-A-Rests. What a relief! Not only do these mattresses self-inflate, but they are foam insulated and light-weight. Life became so much better. I became the Princess and the Pea, and self-inflating mattresses became my Knight in Shining Armor.

Since those early days, other companies have entered the market with their own marvelous improvements. Companies began to offer various lengths, so tall men like my husband could fit better, lenthwise. The nylon shell on these air mattresses can be quite slippery, so companies like Chinook, who came up with the Guiderest Lite, added a non-slip surface.

One air valve can take some inflation and deflation time. To speed this part of the process up, Eureka developed the RapidAir Air Rest Pad with double valves, one on each corner of one end of the pad.

Price

A major drawback is price, compared to an beach or pool air mattress. They range from $35-$150. The upside is they last for many years. My current, heavily used pad may be over 25 years old. I always carry a patch kit (they mend easily), though I have never had to use it for a puncture. I did have to reseal a small spot on the edge seam one time. I paid $35 way back when and would likely have gone through 100's of regular air mattresses by now, definitely with less comfort and more slipping off in the middle of the night.

There are now luxury models available with 2-inch thick padding and a little more weight. As you age, this will be an investment you will never regret!

Care for the long-term

• Storing it open with the valve open will help reduce fiber breakdown and keep it dry.
• In cold weather, avoid blowing it up to speed up inflation. The moisture in your breath will crystalize inside your mattress and cool you off.
• Always carry a patch kit. If you do get a rip, clean the surface with stove gas, cut the patch about 1/3 larger than the rip and attach.
• Duct tape, especially Gorilla Duct Tape, will provide a temporary patch. Be sure to change it out with a proper patch after removal and cleaning the surface when you get home.