Is a sleeping pad really necessary for summer camping?

[PR Man]

"Back in the day" - we never used sleeping pads, just groundcloth. Granted, I was much younger then - but I wonder whether or not the weight of a sleeping pad is really worth it in the summer?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Franco]

well, back in the day...my sleeping bag was made out of camel hair so I had some padding under me..
If you can get away without one great, I can't...
Franco

[RodentWhisperer]

I say, from experience, that your location makes the difference. I've hiked portions of the North Country Trail through Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and have slept on forest floors so covered with soft leaf litter/peat moss that I didn't need a pad. But that was only one trek-- every other time I head out, I take my pad.

A lot of it would also have to do with your sleeping position. I can see forgoing your pad if you're a back sleeper or a stomach sleeper, but never if you sleep on your side.

[Rain Man]

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

At your age (I'm a little older) ... absolutely!

RainMan

.

[Red Hat]

three threads to say the very same thing: necessary, maybe not but probably desireable at a certain age.....

PS, if you posted a fourth thread in Hammocks, they would tell you no

[PR Man]

Sorry for the 3 posts ! My bad !

[hikerboy57]

Sorry for the 3 posts ! My bad !

Youll still get 50 different answers
itsWB.

[Mags]

A pad is more for than just comfort. A pad helps insulate you from the cold-robbing ground.

Camp in the southern Appalachians during summer and scoop up some duff? You are probably just fine. Make a bivy on some rock ledges above tree-line in Colorado without a pad? Would make for a cold evening. (It is where I camped last night. ....)

[DaFireMedic]

It doesn't matter how warm it is, I take a pad. Even if I get any sleep at all, my joints hurt in the morning without one. Others may be able to do without one, but I can't.

[SCRUB HIKER]

It doesn't matter how warm it is, I take a pad. Even if I get any sleep at all, my joints hurt in the morning without one. Others may be able to do without one, but I can't.

+1 to this. I've tried it on very soft, pinestraw/duff covered ground before and it didn't work out. Cold wasn't an issue, but I felt like crap in the morning. And I was 20 at the time. I'll leave it to others.

[Spirit Walker]

If you are sleeping in shelters, having a pad to soften the hard surface will help you sleep. In cold weather, a pad insulates from the cold ground. If it has been raining, a pad can help keep your sleeping bag dry.

OTOH, in summer, if I'm sleeping on soft sand or duff, a pad may not be necessary.

[jesse]

[is} the weight of a sleeping pad is really worth it in the summer?

Is for me.

[rocketsocks]

Same,Gotta have that cushion for the back,other wise,nope don't need one,there are other ways to gain insolation,but do remember to LNT if that means anything to you if not,then I'm not gonna tell how I'd do it.And I'll Leaf it AT thatch!

[hikerboy57]

also gives you something to sit/lay on while you're resting, snacking, nose picking,farting, whittling chopsticks and so forth.

[lemon b]

That went from No to Yes at about age 30. Which in retrospect is a contradiction since back in the day I could haul awhole lot more weight a whole lot more miles.

[hikerboy57]

That went from No to Yes at about age 30. Which in retrospect is a contradiction since back in the day I could haul awhole lot more weight a whole lot more miles.

back in the day we were a whole lot younger!
i sometimes wonder at how i survived my youth.and now im a grandpa. wow. life is good.

[vamelungeon]

The earth has gotten harder since I was a kid. Can't figure out what causes it though.

[brotheral]

The weight of the sleeping pad is worth it any time of year !!

[freckles]

Oh, I definitely think sleeping pads are worth the weight. I'll be sore all the next day without one. A good night's sleep is worth two pounds for me.

[Bucho]

Oh, I definitely think sleeping pads are worth the weight. I'll be sore all the next day without one. A good night's sleep is worth two pounds for me.

You can have a very comfy pad (2.5 inches thick) for a little less than half that weight. https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/De...learviewAirPad