Sleeping pads for a pack in hunt

[N2mywake]

I saw a similar thread in another forum, what sleeping pad would you guys recommend for a Horse pack in hunt? I need a new one and in the past I've only had a closed cell foam pad. What gives the best mix of comfort/warmth.

[saddlesore]

When I was doing it, I never found a pad thick enough to suit me. Foam always absorbed body moisture and the longer I slept on it the colder it got. I ended up using air beds.Always put something under it to avoid punctures. Then between your bag and the bed ,add a heavy blanket to absorb body moisture.Every morning turn back your bag to let that blanket dry out.

I usually bought a new one every year. I watched for sales and found them for $15-$20. You can get a battery operated pump for less than $25. When new, they don't take up much more room than a bigger pad and the pump will fit in most anywhere. They don't weigh much and can be put in the top pack on a horse or mule

I felt like I was sleeping on my good home bed at night.

After I quit packing in,I bought a collapsible bed frame from Goodwill for $30, cut some oak slats, a piece of OBS and made areal bed in camp. Really, really comfy and warm. I can make do without a lot of frills in elk camp, but I have to have good bed.

[husky390]

I use a Big Agnes Qcore for my backpack hunts. I cannot recommend Exped.


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[T.B.]

I use an exped down infused pad. It was expensive but it has lasted at least 7 years. On the plus it's very comfortable and stays inflated. Minuses. It does take a bit of effort to inflate and deflate. If you are staying at the same camp for more than a couple of nights I would highly recommend it

[N2mywake]

I will be in the same camp for 10 nights. Weight is a consideration but not as much as a backpack hunt.

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[jmez]

Big Agnes Q core

[Lefty]

I dont horse pack in. Dont buy low quality on a pad.This last year I slept over 80 nights on the ground. Im a bigger guy, older, a bit worn in places, And I need to keep my over 60 wife happy in camp.
We put 3/8" closed cell foam down then a self inflating pad.
I bought a 36x 78x 3" Pad from Cabelas in 04 Maybe 600 nights between myself and my kids outside and another 150 in the house. great value.

I was just on Cabelas site,.. They use to have a big selection of self inflating pads. No more.
Im a scoutmaster and I really push scouts to not use open cell pads, even with covers.
My one daughter tried to use a back packing Kelty 2 "x 21" pad during the hunt this year,. To light, thin, cold.
I use to use a therma rest, a bit heavy for a man and not really thick enough/comfortable.

I would go with a thick ( 2.5") self inflating pad with closed cell below Buy a pad you can use at home for kids or guests
http://www.cabelas.com/product/ALASKAN- ... 6CQ_st%3Db

If you plan to camp as a couple consider 3, 25" pads Velcro'ed together
http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS- ... D734095080

If your hunting late rifle season consider thicker closed cell pads duck-taped together.

This past summer on a July canoe trip to Shoshone lake in Yellowstone we took three Cabelas self inflatable and the 3/8 closed cell, Every night we had frost. We stayed warm and comfy
Many self inflating insulated pads , the insulation doesnt add comfort, Internal foam adds weight and comfort

I own a nice Klymit air, I will only use that on backpacking summer nights or ATving afternoon naps

Early season the cheap outdoor carpet doubled makes a decent underpad,.. .35 Cents per square foot. doesnt weigh much takes some of the lumps and rocks out of the ground and protects your pad
Top pad is slightly over 1 inch closed cell foam , true R-10 Value
Black roll is a Cabelas 25" pad,
Kelty 2x21 Maybe ok for a kid
3/8 closed cell foam, true R-3 value
And the 12 year old Cabelas 36" wide ,.. the Alaskan should be better.

[VT Sasquatch]

I had a Cabelas pad that I liked but then the seams failed. I wouldn't but a Cabelas pad since you can get other brands for the same money. I have a couple Thermarest self-inflating pads that I like. I also have a couple Rothco military self-inflating pads that you can't beat for $40. None of my pads are very thick though since they are usually strapped to a pack. If I was packing in on horseback I'd be looking at the Thermarest Mondoking.

Lefty: I like your pile of gear. My basement is similar. I should take some pictures of the crap I have piled down there.

[N2mywake]

[quote="VT Sasquatch"] If I was packing in on horseback I'd be looking at the Thermarest Mondoking.

quote]

Looks great but then I saw the weight not sure I can give up 6lbs for this.

[Indian Summer]

When you say horse pack in does that mean outfitted or in a well equipped camp? Will you be sleeping n the ground or on a cot? Woodstove or no heat?

Foam pads don't cut it for me. The foam becomes compressed where you lay. Plus they are bulky. The best all around pad I have found is my Exped Downmat 9. It takes a bit to inflate it but is that well worth great performance? Highest R value of ANY pad on the market. Mine is 5 years old and good as new.

[N2mywake]

When you say horse pack in does that mean outfitted or in a well equipped camp? Will you be sleeping n the ground or on a cot? Woodstove or no heat?

This will be a drop camp, it will have a cot. There will be a woodstove but we try not to use it unless we get wet and need to dry out gear. past drop camps have had a cot and a closed cell foam pad, this one just has a cot. we are limited on weight so we try to keep it within reason (or we have to pick and choose which backup gear can make the cut).

[Indian Summer]

So you're concern isn't any rocks or roots etc. On a cot the main purpose other than added comfort is insulation. Airflow underneath a cot can make for a chilly sleep.

I also have a Cabela's Alaskan Guide model self inflating pad. It has foam but also inflates. it would serve your purpose very well. I like it a lot.

[N2mywake]

So you're concern isn't any rocks or roots etc. On a cot the main purpose other than added comfort is insulation. Airflow underneath a cot can make for a chilly sleep.

I also have a Cabela's Alaskan Guide model self inflating pad. It has foam but also inflates. it would serve your purpose very well. I like it a lot.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes comfort and insulation are my primary concerns, weight being a 3rd. I'll check out the cabelas pad, also looking at the neo.

[Lefty]

The colored foams I like to have are thin, 3/8'
The closed cell for sleeping in very hard cold ground and on snow
http://www.usafoam.com/closedcellfoam/c ... -foam.html


I plan to make a pad for my pickup cut into 5" strips then glued together with carpet simulator to these roll out mats

http://www.houzz.com/photos/57648922/Fl ... floor-tile


cots and hammocks dont have the support I need.