View Full Version : inflatable rafts as sleeping pad?
I was checking out some pictures here on WB and i came across what looked like an inflatable raft being used as a sleeping pad. you know, the cheap ones you buy at walmart? i thought it was ingenious....cheap, lightweight (i'm sure), and packs down to NOTHING.
has anyone else ever heard of this/done this and what do you think?
this is what i do. it is awesome as far as being light and super cheap. just a pain to blow up every evening at camp. IMO they do a good job at keeping you off the ground and also are comfortable.
Yes. Many moons ago. They get leaks in the boondocks, and pollute the air. (When you burn them.)
Alligator
12-06-2008, 13:50
Some of the Big Agnes pads look like rafts.
Plodderman
12-06-2008, 14:01
Thought about it but I try to stay way form things that require extra work, like blowing up and getting the air out of them. They can be hard to stay centered on while sleeping.
dude I used a blow up raft one time and it was a pain and not to mention that it was so cold.. I did use it the next morning to blow dry my hair. I had the coolest looking hairdo out on the trail.
I think I would sooner use a sleeping pad as a raft. That has been done.
When I kayak I bring 4 blue foam pads, as they double as floatation bags.
I still have plenty of room for stuff, and I sleep very comfy. :)
daddytwosticks
12-06-2008, 14:46
When I was a kid, we used these when we "slept out" along with a K-mart poly filled slumber bag...great memories. If you go with this, you'll have no worries if you set up your tent in a depression and it fills with water.:)
_terrapin_
12-06-2008, 15:31
Such inflatables don't insulate as well as foam-filled pads. In order to insulate well, the air has to be kept motionless. The air inside an inflatable (w/o filler) is free to circulate, which means it's less effective as an insulator.
HikerRanky
12-06-2008, 15:41
Such inflatables don't insulate as well as foam-filled pads. In order to insulate well, the air has to be kept motionless. The air inside an inflatable (w/o filler) is free to circulate, which means it's less effective as an insulator.
I agree with this.... The Big Agnes Air Core pad does nothing to add insulation to you.... That is why BA makes an Insulated Air Core pad...
Here in White House TN right now, it's 38 degrees according to my thermometer.... The tires on my truck are VERY cold to the touch.... However, I have slept in running shorts and a T-Shirt in my HH with the SuperShelter system, had my Big Agnes IAC mattress inside the hammock with me, and used a Crystal 35 bag as a top quilt in 28 degree weather, and stayed nice and toasty....
Randy
It's been done for years. Just be prepared to sleep on the hard ground when the el cheapo lets go. You probably should bring a hip length section of 3/8" blue foam just in case. Also keeps you warm when you put it on top of the el cheapo. The Big Agnes is what I use when not hammocking or sleeping on snow. If it's below 40 or so, I use the blue foam on top. If it's warmer, I use it underneath as puncture protection.
jeremiah j
12-06-2008, 23:56
tried it in college,thru them in the fire after 1 night of blowing up
haha...i actually already use a thermarest....i just saw the photo and found it interesting and was wondering what everyone thought about it.
I'm too spoiled though!!! i'll stick to my sleeping pad!
hikergirl1120
12-08-2008, 10:13
I have never had a good evperience with cheap blow up mats. ALWAYS end up on the ground and cold. Maybe it's just bad luck but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone.....