Anything underneath a Inflatable Sleeping Pad?

[Chain Saw]

Wife and I are hangers and just switched to a tent in prep for our thru hike. Bought a Big Agnes inflatable pad. Do you peeps use anything underneath it in shelters or tents to either protect it or help with insulation?


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[Tipi Walter]

It won't be inflatable long if you don't use a ground cloth under the thing. I prefer a cut to size 10mil tarp---to block sharp stones and thorns etc.

[kestral]

In shelters I use a piece of tyvek cut a bit larger than my inflatable under the pad to protect from floor, splinters, mouse poop. This tyvek is folded for a sit pad while I’m hiking so it’s kinda dual purpose. I’m sure a crafty person could create a rain kilt from the tyvek also. While tenting I put the pad directly on tent floor. Happy hiking!

[Chain Saw]

In shelters I use a piece of tyvek cut a bit larger than my inflatable under the pad to protect from floor, splinters, mouse poop. This tyvek is folded for a sit pad while I’m hiking so it’s kinda dual purpose. I’m sure a crafty person could create a rain kilt from the tyvek also. While tenting I put the pad directly on tent floor. Happy hiking!

Thanks I will look that up. Is it something you buy at a Lowe’s or HD or a camping material?


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[lonehiker]

I used to use the cheap K-mart blue foam pads cut to the shape of my Thermorest 3/4 pad. But in more recent years have gone to Gossamer gear 1/8" pad. I put it down first then run my hands over it feeling for anything sticking up. Might be luck but have never had a leak. As an aside I do not use a ground cloth for my tent.

[SkeeterPee]

I used to use the cheap K-mart blue foam pads cut to the shape of my Thermorest 3/4 pad. But in more recent years have gone to Gossamer gear 1/8" pad. I put it down first then run my hands over it feeling for anything sticking up. Might be luck but have never had a leak. As an aside I do not use a ground cloth for my tent.

I also use the Gossamer gear 1/8" pad. It also is a nice sit pad.

[Slo-go'en]

In the early spring and late fall when temps get near freezing, a piece of CCF pad under your hips can help a lot. I always deflate my pad a little so my hips sink in a bit and that creates a cold spot. It doesn't have to be big, a 1/4 pad is sufficient.

I use a Tyvek sheet under my tent, mostly to keep the tent floor from getting all muddy. If I sleep in a shelter, I may or may not put down the Tyvek depending on the looks of the floor and how lazy I am.

The only time I got a leak in a inflatable was back in the days when the bunks in the GSMNP Huts were 12 layers of beat up chicken wire. You had to spend some time making sure all the sharp pointy ends were turned down. I missed one.

[colorado_rob]

I used to use nothing, other than the tent floor, and somehow never got any leaks in my inflatables, very lucky I suppose? This is over many decades of backpacking, though before about 10 years ago, those inflatables were much tougher, and much heavier, those "old" thermariest self-inflating jobs.

These days, most of the time, I carry a 6-foot long 1/4" CCF pad, 4.5 ounces, it's really nice to lay out and take mid-day naps on, plus I use it at night under my inflatable, slightly more R value and yeah, it would help if I missed clearing out any sharpies before pitching my tent.

The very rare times I sleep in a shelter, I just lay my tent body out for protection against shelter platform sharpies, splinters, whatever.

[Deadeye]

I always use CCF under my inflatable (the one time I didn't was the last time!). Any foam will do, including the CCF mentioned by others already. I use a 6-8 section piece of z-rest, it's handy to toss on the ground at lunch, and comfortable enough if the inflatable springs a leak. Reflectix also works, but it's squeaky.

[HooKooDooKu]

I always use a ground sheet under by tent (if for no other reason that to help keep the bottom of my tent clean). So when I stay in shelters, I'll use the tent ground sheet under my inflatable.
If I'm on a trip where I only plan to be in shelters, I'll take along a tarp as an emergency shelter and use it under the inflatable.

[OwenM]

Not in a "tent"(tarp with inner, groundsheet or bivy), but in a shelter, the bivy or groundsheet would get the nod.
Unless it's pouring rain, I'm pretty selective about where I set up, and clear away any little branches, rocks, pine cones or whatever that are noticeable, and typically get in and run my hand over the floor to make sure nothing's sticking up before inflating my pad. I have no idea how they got there, but the only "puncture wounds" I've experienced over the past 9+ years of using inflatables have been a pair of tiny pinholes on *top* of one of my Expeds' outer baffles.

[Crossbar]

Definitely get one of the inflation bags if you don't already have one.

[Chain Saw]

Definitely get one of the inflation bags if you don't already have one.

I don’t and I will. Take 27 breaths now. Thanks


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[Chain Saw]

Definitely get one of the inflation bags if you don't already have one.

Don’t now but will do. Take 27 breaths currently.


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[HooKooDooKu]

Definitely get one of the inflation bags if you don't already have one.

For Therm-a-rest owners, I hate that they got rid of the Neo-Air AirTap (lets you turn any bag into an inflation bag) and your only option seems to be the battery powered inflators or the heavier pump sacks.
Some show how to use a pack liner to inflate, but I could never get the huge opening of a large bag around the tiny valve tightly.
What I used (until I got the AirTap) was a thin trash bag with a tiny hole in one corner. Place the value in the hole and use a rubberband or two to hold it on tightly.

[lonehiker]

For Therm-a-rest owners, I hate that they got rid of the Neo-Air AirTap (lets you turn any bag into an inflation bag) and your only option seems to be the battery powered inflators or the heavier pump sacks.
Some show how to use a pack liner to inflate, but I could never get the huge opening of a large bag around the tiny valve tightly.
What I used (until I got the AirTap) was a thin trash bag with a tiny hole in one corner. Place the value in the hole and use a rubberband or two to hold it on tightly.

18 Strong breaths inflates my 3/4 length thermorest (22 if I'm lazy). There is no need for an inflation bag. Just one more thing to mess with.

[HooKooDooKu]

18 Strong breaths inflates my 3/4 length thermorest (22 if I'm lazy). There is no need for an inflation bag. Just one more thing to mess with.

One of the main reasons I started using an inflation bag is because my very first Neo-Air had issues with the reflective layer, and moisture seemed to make it more of an issue.
So I've been using an inflation bag to minimize the amount of moisture in the pad as well as not having to blow 20 STRONG puffs. (It usually only takes me about 5 squeezes of a bag full of air, the bag being a light trashcan liner (draw strings cut out) with the AirTap to hold the bag on the pad while squeezing the air in). Then like Tipi, a few breaths to top it off.

BTW: Amazon has about 10 of the Therm-a-rest Air Taps in stock. They are in the expensive side ($19 compared to only $12-15 being the original full retail price). https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NBF9Z8

[Deadeye]

Definitely get one of the inflation bags if you don't already have one.

If you're able to get a pad with the old-style thermarest valve, you can make your own inflator (check it out on youtube). Much tougher to do with the flat valves. I'd like to see the manufacturers come up with a universal valve so we could get one inflator to work with all the pads.

[LoneStranger]

I use a hammock, but carry a neoair for sleeping in shelters on trips where that makes sense. Rolled up in with the neoair I have a cut to size sheet of polycro that keeps the air mattress clean and safe from splinters. Super light, but does what is needed in a shelter.

[gbolt]

I use a hammock, but carry a neoair for sleeping in shelters on trips where that makes sense. Rolled up in with the neoair I have a cut to size sheet of polycro that keeps the air mattress clean and safe from splinters. Super light, but does what is needed in a shelter.

Same thing here except that I didn’t start my thru hike with a NeoAir. I used a Barco Lounger (You Tube it), which basically is a 1/8 inch Gossamer Pad sew in Tyvik. It was great as padding in a ULA Ohm pack, but just not thick enough for a good nights sleep. After, I purchased the Neo Air at the Gatlinburg NOC, I used the Barco Lounger under the Neo Air the rest of the thru hike. Now they come as a set for most trips.