RFI: sleeping pads for camping

[JHC]

Most of my experience is backpacking. If you are looking for a comfortable foam sleeping pad, you’re not going to find much and they’ll get big for even car camping. I think we as gun owners are supposed to hate REI but they usually have most of their pads set up ready to be sampled. You folks can educate if Cabelas or Bass Pro is the same.

There are great larger pads by thermarest and others made for car camping 3+ inches thick and 30 inches wide.

For my rolls on wildland fire, I think more and more about a cot than the ground but that is more due to my lack of mobility in my hips and back where ground to standing is harder and harder.

I love REI. They have Camelbacks back in the lineup for some years now btw. Pulling them was a dumb own goal. Reversed.

[vcdgrips]

If comfort is driving the train, based on camping for 7 years near monthly with a bunch of dads who wew exclusively car campers at best- cots were a way, particularly ones that stayed low to the ground

https://www.amazon.com/Therm-Rest-Ul...st_sto_dp&th=1

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/asce...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.missionmountain.us/produ...SABEgKAz_D_BwE

[dtw]

Big Agnes from REI, comfortable and warm.

They'll let you inflate and try in the store.

[Alembic]

"Paco Pad". Made by Jack's Plastics are the originals, NRS copied them.
Last a lifetime. Not cheap, very comfortable.
Ask any whitewater rafter.

[KneeShot]

Tempurpedic roll on a sturdy cot is an amazing combination. Cots are amazing for motorized assisted camping. So are tents you can stand fully (or almost) erect in.
Low to the ground tents and sleeping on the ground is for backpackers, mountaineers and non mechanized hunting.

[Paul Blackburn]

What about a compact pad for the backpacker?

[Stone]

What you want is an extra thick yoga mat.
https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Durab...92759256&psc=1

[ST911]

The thermarest and sea to summit sleep pads are great, select by features and price point.

I think my ultralight cot is a thermarest. UL cots are a compromise overall, but they keep you off the ground.

For a car or fixed camp (it's ~20#), this regular cot is comfortable (with pad) and durable: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08YDH9WCG?th=1.