Choosing any gear comes down to a balance between the ideal choice and what you can spend. I have spent a number of decades collecting gear, so I am now in a place where most of my gear is able to be the ideal choices, but that wasn't always the case. Even if you can't afford it, however, it helps to figure out the ideal choice because that will allow you to be clear on what you are looking for in your secondary-but-much-more-affordable options. (See the bottom of this page for ideas on getting reduced price gear.)

backpacking gear - sleeping pad

​I quickly learned that sleeping pads are not optional gear. I have to get a good night's rest if I am going to be able to function the next day and sleeping on hard ground does not allow that.
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MY CRITERIA:
  1. Temperature Rating: I don't pay much attention to this, but some pads insulate you from the cold ground and some don't. If this is something you feel you need (maybe you camp in winter and need all the help you can get) then you may pay more attention to it than I do.
  2. Weight and Size: As usual, these two issues are key in choosing a sleeping pad. I want it to weight as little as possible and be as easy as possible to pack up as small as possible.
  3. Ease: How easy is it to get it packed up?
  4. Comfort: The comfort of the pad is probably the biggest issue here. I need a very comfortable night's sleep. I have found a number of pads which turn out almost as comfortable a night's sleep as a regular mattress. 
  5. Toughness: The lightest weight, most comfortable options are usually the most likely to get punctured and I have not had good luck with fixing punctures. On short trips this may not be a big deal, but when you need your pad to last a long time it is an issue. 
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  • Temperature Rating: As I said, I don't pay much attention to this. I prefer to go with minimal weight and choose a sleeping spot where the ground helps with insulation and keeps me from needing protection from the cold directly under my body.
  • Weight and Size: I have found that the best weight and size trade-off with comfort comes from the blow-up pads. I own a number of these and this is what I use when camping.
  • Ease: I wish the blow-up pads were easier to get blown up, but have decided that ease of use is not as important as weight and comfort in this regard. I did switch from using a Thermarest pad which turned into a chair because I wanted it to be easier to use both - not have to constantly switch them back and forth.
  • Comfort: I like the blowup pads in this regard. Especially the ones with lots of squares.
  • Toughness: This has been my biggest problem with blow-up pads. Mostly because my dogs inevitably step on them with sharp nails at some point. I am hoping to get a cover for my sleeping pad soon because I have gone through quite a number of them.

RESULT:
I have tried many sleeping pads and found some that work very well and some that do not. I like the blowup ones for their lightness and compactness and the amount of support they provide. However, they tend to be more likely to get holes, so I keep an extra one in my trailer in case I loose one on a trip. I am told that you can sometimes buy cases which protect the blow-up ones. I ought to look into that. One more down side to them is the time and energy to blow them up each night. This usually ends up not being a huge deal, as they fill quicker then you think they will, but it can still be difficult when I am exhausted. Even so, I have found these to provide much better comfort than the autofill Thermarests I use to use and think they are worth the tradeoffs. 

How other chairs i've used Stack Up
Tips on Purchasing Gear:
Gear doesn't have to be purchased new. There are lots of ways to reduce the cost of your gear and still get something close to the ideal. 
  1. ​Look on Craig's List for specific brands and models. Keep looking, as these things vary greatly over time. Look in other cities, especially cities known for their outdoor enthusiasts. Visiting Denver for Thanksgiving? Check there. Have a friend who lives in Portland? Check there and see if they would do the purchase for you.
  2. Look at REI's used gear page or their outlets. 
  3. Look at Cabella's Bargin Cave. 
  4. Look for older models of the gear you want. They may not have the traits you are after, but they might be close enough!

Got any other recommendations for people on where to find deals on gear? Tell us and we will add them to this page!
Click here to see my YouTube page of videos on how this trip is going every step of the way, including my preparations at home and my days on the trail.
Want to know more about who is on this trip? Me, my dog, my horses and any friends who happen to join me along the way...
Click here to see my YouTube page of videos on how this trip is going every step of the way, including my preparations at home and my days on the trail.