While the phrase “sleeping under the stars” has a romantic appeal, it fails to mention the hard ground that lies under those stars. It can be difficult to sleep on a surface that is much less smooth and soft than a conventional mattress. That is why many campers travel with a sleeping mat. It is one of the most important pieces of outdoor sleeping gear.
By placing a pad under a sleeping bag, a camper can slow the transfer of heat. That allows the person who sleeps on or close to the ground to reduce the effects of the cold air coming from the earth. While a reduction of this effect can be achieved with a simple homemade pad, various companies offer adaptations on the original sleeping mats. With the abundance of cheap tents available today, a serious camper should really consider investing in a high quality sleeping mat.
If you are torn between getting an inflatable sleeping mat and a foam sleeping mat, you might want to look at Cabela’s self inflating pad with foam. This product saves its owner from the task of pumping or blowing air into an inflatable device. By simply opening a valve on this self inflating unit, one can enjoy a soft sleeping surface.
If you are planning to go camping during the winter months, or if you will be mountain climbing and spending the night at a high altitude, then you ought to check out the Thermarest Ridgecrest. It is designed to keep the body warm, while the surrounding air and ground are quite cold. Its ridged design insures comfort, as well as warmth.
Every camping adventure brings new challenges, so it is impossible to select the best sleeping mat for all situations. A backpacker needs a lightweight and easy to carry pad, while someone who sets up a tent on soggy ground could use a water resistant product. In the latter case, a wise camper tries hard to avoid the unwanted and unexpected, such as the possibility that he or she could somehow end up with a water soaked sleeping bag. Packing into camp with pack animals allows even more options for good insulation while sleeping.
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[...] from damp earth seeping into your body could ruin an otherwise perfect vacation. Earth pads, or a foam sleeping mat, are a common solution for this. Consisting of rubber or hard rubberized foam, they do an adequate [...]