Foam pad just dont work anymore.

[jcramin]

OK I cant do it anymore. I have not slept on the ground in MANY years well I have started backpacking again with my son. Our first trip I had a cheap blue foam pad. It may be me, BUT I think my pad is broken because I just cant sleep on those anymore.

I am looking for an decent, inexpensive, lite, air mattress for backpacking.

Any recommendations ?

Thanks,
J

[snowhoe]

Big aggness, or themorest.

[take-a-knee]

A short thermarest on top of your present pad, or, if you really want to be comfortable, a hammock.

[JAK]

lol
Yeah, sometimes mine does that, and they're supposed to be indestructable eh.

I might go the hammock route one of these days. Maybe this summer.
Until then I'm sticking with the blue foam pad. It's a love hate thing.

[Deadeye]

I use a Big Agnes insulated air core pad (shortie), and a hammock. I also carry a 6-section long z-rest (half a full-length pad) for mid-day breaks and other lounging. If I'm sleeping on the ground, the big agnes goes on top of the z-rest to increase the longevity of the air mattress.

I used to sleep just fine on a short foam pad, but as the years go on, I need more padding. The air mattress works just fine, but the hammock is solid gold.

[Snowleopard]

The Thermarest neoair is great but very pricey.
Try to decide if you can get by with a short pad and you'll save some weight and some money.

[skinewmexico]

POE Ether Thermo 6 works great, and costs about a third of the neoair. I had the exact same problem you had when I started backpacking again with my son. Saw a POE Max Thermo on Backpacker's Gear of the Year in 2004, bought it, and never looked back. I've never had a leak either; and 9 big breaths to fill it. Although some would have you believe that the entire concept of an insulated air mattress began with the Neo.

[jrnj5k]

EMS makes a good insulated aircore pad thats pretty affordable.

http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_d...34374302901338

[bigcranky]

It's not the pad - it's you. I'm the same way, I cannot sleep on a closed cell foam pad any more. Too old I guess.

I got a Thermarest Prolite 4 as soon as they came out, and it's seen a lot of trail time in the last five years. These have been discontinued in favor of the Prolite Plus pad, so the older Prolite 4 is discounted in stores. It's still a great pad.

My hiking partner *loves* his new Big Agnes insulated Air Core pad.

[fiddlehead]

I think you are going about this the wrong way.
Looking for a more comfortable mattress is not the answer IMO.

Try sleeping on the bare floor at home for a few weeks before your trip.
the blue pad will then feel like the luxury item you are looking for.

I notice my wife is fine sleeping on our bare tile floor without anything underneath her.
I think to myself that that is uncomfortable. Perhaps it was for a day or two.
Now, it's fine. I still need a pillow or something to prop up my head a little bit.

YOu can carry 2 pads, and spend time blowing them up and carrying a pillow too.
But, in the end, when you are asleep...................... you are asleep.

[Summit]

OK . . . abandon the bed at home with your wife for a few weeks or get a Big Agnes mattress? My choice, the BA! They come in several 'flavors.' Heavier = more expensive = warmer insulation. Take your pick - they're all comfortable.

[Lemni Skate]

I must confess to taking Benadryl sometimes before I get on the ol' sleeping pad. It keeps me from having sniffles the next day and I could sleep like a rock on railroad ties.

[cowboy nichols]

Lets be honest its an age thing. I used to sleep on the ground with a quilt. a few years ago I gave up the blue pad and opt for a 3/4 therarest , I sleep great on it.

[Feral Bill]

Last summer I used a blue pad for the first time in years. (part of a retro gear weekend) Never again! A light 3/4 Thermarest is the minimum for me now.

[Toolshed]

tylenol or IB prior to bed you'll sleep better. Thermarest definitely. Max out with your blue pad and a thermarest. i have 50 year old bones and I don't care about extra weight (when not hammocking) and will carry both for more comfort. You might as well enjoy the trip!!!

[Egads]

You'll sleep better with air underneath you; either in a hammock or on an air mattress.

[neo]

OK I cant do it anymore. I have not slept on the ground in MANY years well I have started backpacking again with my son. Our first trip I had a cheap blue foam pad. It may be me, BUT I think my pad is broken because I just cant sleep on those anymore.

I am looking for an decent, inexpensive, lite, air mattress for backpacking.

Any recommendations ?

Thanks,
J

thats why i converted to hammock campingneo

http://www.hammockforums.net/

[Tinker]

I slept on a Big Agnes air core mummy at Trail Days. It's almost as comfortable as a hammock.

[Wise Old Owl]

http://gearjunkie.com/the-gear-junki...-a-rest-neoair

[Gaiter]

blue foam sucks, if you are going to do foam at least get a therma-rest z-lite or ridgerest (and you don't have to worry about it deflating)..... but if you have the money go for a air mattress....