Sleeping Pads
Description
I go over different types of Sleeping Pads & what works best for me on different types of trails.
Music By: Thunder/Dreamer
facebook.com/thunderdreamerband
Tags: Appalachian Trail,AT,Thru Hike,Backpacking,Sleeping Pads,Hiking,ThermaRest,Pacific Crest Trail,PCT,Backpacking Gear
Video Transcription
hey guys it's Darwin here today to do another video talking about different types of sleeping pads on the different types of trails and what's worked best for me
[Music]
alright guys so there's a lot of different types of sleeping pads out there I just kind of wanted to make a video today talking about the different types on different types of trails and what I've used throughout my hiking career and what I'm currently using so in 2015 when snuggles and I set out to do the 80 for the first time the pad that I started with was a big agnes q core SL it was a great pad it was about three and a half inches thick it was a fully inflatable pad which means that you have to blow it up at the end of the day but I got great sleep on it the problem that I had with it is it had a super leaky valve so I would pump it up whenever I got to camp and throughout the night while I was sleeping it would slowly lose air and I'd wake up on the ground after switching that pad out a couple times in getting replacements for it finally I decided to ditch it and go with the pad that I'm currently using and what I used in 2016 on the Appalachian Trail and that is the therm-a-rest NeoAir x-lite super popular pad you'll see these a lot on the trail this pad weighs in at 16 ounces for a large and is a three-inch thick pad I really really love this thing it packs down really tiny and it's super comfortable throughout the night especially if you're a side sleeper so I am a side sleeper and like I said it gives you about three inches thick of pad as you can see it packs down pretty small gets pretty slender the reason some people don't want to go with the pad like this is at the end of a long day of hiking they don't want to have to sit there and blow it up I never really had that big of a problem sometimes it was kind of a pain but most of the time I was willing to do it to get that extra comfort at night the other thing that people don't really like about this pad and what you should keep in mind if you do decide to go with a pad like this is it's very loud especially when it's fully blown up it kind of sounds crinkly and crunchy so if you're sleeping in a shelter at night and you're on a wood floor and you toss and turn a lot it's going to make a lot of noise some people get kind of annoyed with that so definitely keep that in mind now another type of pad that you can go with is something like a closed cell foam pad this is the pad that snuggles used for her 2015
in 2016 9 this is the therm-a-rest Z light Sol pad this guy weighs in it 15 ounces is about an inch thick and is super easy to roll out when you get to camp so the good thing about a pad like this you can just kind of throw it out some of the downfalls of a pad like this are number one you can see it's kind of big and it doesn't break down any smaller than that snuggles actually had to kind of fold hers out like this and then strap it to the back of her pack some people carry it on the bottom of their pack some people carry it on the top of their pack but it doesn't get down and pack down as small as something like a thermo rest so definitely keep that in mind the other thing is if you are a side sleeper like I am it's only about an inch thick so it's definitely a pad that's better for people that lay on their side the other good thing about a pad like this and it's actually well I'll be using it for about 700 miles on my PCT through hike is whenever you're hiking in the desert there's a lot of thorns from cactuses there's also something called a goat head if you don't know what a goat head is definitely look that up they are the devil especially when it comes to riding a bike or camping in the backcountry in the desert so inflatable pads like my thermo rest definitely get popped easy because of thorns and stuff so using something like a closed cell foam pad is definitely a better option so in 2018 when I hike the PCT I'll be using one of these for the first seven hundred miles and then when I get to Kennedy Meadows I'll be switching over to my fully inflatable pad to get better sleep throughout the rest of the trail now the third type of pad that you can use and what I started using when I first started backpacking is what's called a self inflating pad it's very similar to a fully inflatable pad however inside of it it actually has foam so the whole idea is whenever you open the valve to it it sucks air in and lets that foam blow it up now this is a nemo or a 25 liter ultralight
it comes in at thirty three point four ounces and again is a self inflating now usually any time I've ever had one of these even if you let it sit for a couple hours and suck all the air in you still need to blow in the valve a little bit to get it a little bit thicker this guy is only one and a half inch thick so not much thicker than the closed cell foam pad and definitely not as thick as the fully inflatable pad and as you can see it is a little bit bigger a little bit bulkier which is kind of why I switched off of these they are great because if you're hiking in the desert you don't have to worry about something puncturing it and it deflating it's also not loud and crunchy like the therm-a-rest NeoAir but again it is bigger it's bulkier it's heavier and one thing that I did see people using one of these on a trail like the Appalachian Trail is if they had it on the outside of the pack and it rained that foam actually collects water and it becomes much heavier and it's super hard to dry out so something to think about if you're hiking on the East Coast or something a pad like this that if it does get wet it will absorb a lot of water it will take a lot of dry out so definitely keep that in mind alright guys so hopefully this video helps you kind of see the different types of pads for the different types of trails and what you can use what are you currently using leave me a comment in the comment box below and tell me where you're currently rocking on the trail maybe there's something out there that I don't know about yet that I should definitely check out if you haven't got to change it go over and check me out on Instagram I post a lot of new photos throughout the week of some of the things that snuggles and I have going on and previews of videos that I'll be releasing every Thursday go ahead and light or dislike this video subscribe to my channel if you haven't already and as always guys thanks for watching [Music]
you
[Music]
About the Author
Darwin Onthetrail
At the end of 2014 my wife Snuggles & I decided to quit our jobs, sell 95% of the things we own, & leave our home town for good in search of adventure, culture, & the true meaning of happiness. We bought a van, traveled all over the country & hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2189.2 miles). We are still seeking adventure in new places, meeting new people, trying new food & drink, & discovering all that we can.
This Channel has developed into a main hub for aspiring hikers & current hikers to gain info on a wide variety of Trail Topics. With a series of Trip Videos, Q&A, Tip Videos, & Gear Reviews, I aim to get you out on the trail and hiking more!
Hike On,
Darwin
More articles from this author
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 2) NC/TN
- Zpacks Arc Blast Review
- 2016 AZT Thru-Ride - Part 2 (Rim to Rim to Flagstaff)
- Riding the "Cobble" of Southern Indiana
- Wind in the Canyon
- Virginia's Three Ridges
- BRS UltraLight Stove Review
- 2016 AT Thru Hike Gear List
- Stick Pic Full Review
- Rocky Mountain Morning...
- Kurgo Max Dog Pack Full Review
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 1)
- Power on the Trail / Giveaway!
- Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike (in 1 day)
- Cold Weather Gear on the Appalachian Trail
- Ask Darwin Q&A #17 + Announcement!
- A Stroll through Gand Teton....
- Ask Darwin Q&A #24 (Answers)
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Massachusetts)
- AZT: What Happened & What's next?
- Santa Fe Rail Trail
- 2016 AZT Bikepacking Gear List
- Aug 2015 National Parks Tour
- Hoka Challenger ATR Review
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 5) Pennsylvania
- Ask Darwin Q&A #8 (Answers!)
- Osprey Mutant 28 Full Reveiw
- 2016 AZT Thru-Ride - Part 1 (Utah Border to Grand Canyon)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #14 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #11 (Answers!)
- 2015 in Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #19 (Answers)
- Sleep Systems on The Appalachian Trail
- CNOC Vertex Carbon Cork Trekking Pole Review
- DIY Pot Cozy & Cook Pouch for the Trail
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (New Hampshire)
- Gear I'm Done With!.... For Now
- HydroBlu Versa Flow Review
- Gear to Leave at Home during a Thru-Hike
- Exploring The Sandia Mountains of New Mexico
- AT Thru Hike Budget
- Cheap BackCountry Meals
- Ask Darwin Q&A #12 (Answers!)
- Staying Healthy on the Trail
- Cuben Fiber Gear, Is It Worth It?
- My Three Favorite Pieces of Backpacking Gear
- Ask Darwin Q&A #6 (Answers!)
- Six Moon Designs SkyScape-Trekker Full Review
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Katahdin)
- Cave Exploring in Missouri
- Thru-Hiking Solo vs with a Group
- 5 Things the Appalachian Trail Taught Me
- Ask Darwin Q&A #7 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #20 (Answers)
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 3) Virginia
- Snow Peak 700 & Litemax Cook System
- Gear for the PCT: My Big 3
- Best Footwear for the Trail?
- Gear I Won't Hike Without
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Maine Part 1)
- Gear I wish I'd had during my Thru-Hike
- Outdoorsman Lab UL Sleeping Pad Review
- Wheeler Peak Winter Attempt
- AT Thru Hiker Slang
- Ask Darwin Q&A #16 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #3 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #15 / Giveaway Winner Announced!
- Headlamps VS Flashlights
- Ask a Hiker #2 (Post AT) Questions Answered!
- Going Stoveless! Pros & Cons
- Bugs On the Trail & How to Deal with Them
- Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork Trekking Pole Review
- Snowshoeing in Cumbres Pass Colorado
- Ask Darwin Q&A #29 (Answers)
- Ask a Hiker #1 (Questions Answered!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #23 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #27 (Answers)
- Training for a Long Distance Trail
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 4) WV/MD
- Appalachian Trail Etiquette (Top 5)
- Altra Lone Peak 3.0 Review
- Reasons You Might Quit Your Thru-Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #21 (Answers)
- Post Thru Hike - Sea to Summit Aeros UL Pillow
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! (Part 2)
- GooseFeet Gear Down Sock Reveiw
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget!
- Pearl Izumi X Alp Launch II Full Review
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 1 - Goodbye New Mexico)
- Base Weight & Why It's So Important!
- Sleeping Bags VS Quilts
- How the Appalachian Trail Ruined my Life / Post Trail Depression
- We're Restoring a Vintage Camper?
- Tips for Hiking in the Desert
- Scariest Backpacking Trip Story
- How to Save Money during a Thru-Hike
- Surly ECR (Bikepacking Bike) Full Review
- Should I Document My Thru-Hike?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #25 (Answers)
- CDT Section Hike - Part 2 (Silver City, NM to Doc Campbell's)
- Thru-Hiking Tricks of the Trade
- Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Full Review
- Coffee on the Trail
- BikePacking the Caja Del Rio
- Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #13 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #22 (Answers)
- AZT Bikepacking Food Resupply
- First Aid & Toiletries on an AT Thru Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #26 (Special Edition!)
- Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Review
- CDT Section Hike Gear List
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 2)
- CNOC Vecto Water Container Review
- AegisMax UL Sleeping Bag Review
- How I Pack My Gear
- Gear for the PCT: Clothes Set-Up
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 0 - Test Footage)
- Over 42,000 Sub GIVEAWAY!!!
- Bikes & Brews in Southern Indiana w/ Mike Boren
- AT Thru Hike Food Resupply
- Ask Darwin Q&A #4 (Answers!)
- BikePacking: Clipless vs Platform?
- Sawyer Squeeze Gravity System
- Ask Darwin Q&A #30 (Answers)
- BlitzWolf 9000 Review
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 0.5 - PCT Days)
- Exploring Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks
- Ask Darwin Q&A #18 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #31 (Answers)
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Vermont)
- 2016 AT Thru Hike Gear List (Snuggles Edition)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #28 (Answers)
- Dirty Girl Gaiters Full Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #9 (Answers!)
- Osprey Escapist 18 Full Review
- How to Prevent Blisters & Foot Injuries on the Trail
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 1) Georgia
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 6) NJ/NY/CT
- CDT Section Hike - Part 1 (Lordsburg, NM to Silver City)
- 2015 AT Thru Hike Post Gear Set-up
- Ask Darwin Q&A #10 (Answers!)
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 3)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #5 (Answers!)
- Sandia Mountain Snow Storm
- Typical Pennsylvania on The Appalachian Trail
- Salomon X Ultra Hiking Shoe Full Review
- Top 5 Favorite Places on the Appalachian Trail
- New Gear for the AT & PCT Thru Hike
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Maine Part 2)
- Zpacks Nero Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #34 (Answers)
- Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex Jacket Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #35 (Answers)
- Gear I Carry on a Day Hike
- Arizona Trail 2017 - Part 1
- AZT Post Hike Gear Set-Up (7lbs 11oz)
- How I Afford My Lifestyle
- Ask Darwin Q&A #32 + GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #33 (Answers)
- Ultralight Vs Traditional Packs - What's the Best for you?
- Tent Vs Bivy - What's the Best Shelter for You?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #36 (Answers)
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! - Part 3
- Ask Darwin Q&A #39 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #38 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #41 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #40 (Answers)
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 2 - Canyons, Trees, & Trails)
- The Trowel - Necessary or Nonsense?
- Arizona Trail 2017 - Part 2
- Ask Darwin Q&A #37 (Answers)
- My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2017 (Top 10)
- Cold Soaking/Stoveless Backpacking - Is It Right For You?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #43 (Answers)
- Back Again - A Rim2Rim2Rim Hike w/Neemor
- Ask Darwin Q&A #44 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #42 w/ Neemor
- Ask Darwin Q&A #45 (Answers)
- A Thru-Hike Before A Thru-Hike?
- Gear for the PCT 2018 - Electronics & Ditty Bag
- The Perfect UL Headlamp? - UCO Air 150 Review + MOD!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #46 (Answers)
- Hike Your Own Hike - An Ode to the Hiking Community
- Ask Darwin Q&A #47 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #50 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #48 (From the AT!)
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike Gear List (11lb 5oz)
- Gear I Would NEVER BRING on a Long Hike!
- How to Plan Your 1st Thru-Hike
- Where Our Gear Is Born... Ep.1 - Zpacks
- Ask Darwin Q&A #49 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #51 (Answers)
- UGQ Bandit Quilt Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #52 (Answers)
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 3
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 2
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 1
- Ask Darwin Q&A #53 (Answers)
- Gear for the PCT 2018 - Desert Protection
- Ask Darwin Q&A #56 - The End?
- Vargo BOT Review - IS IT WORTH IT?
- Ask Darwin FINAL Q&A - #57
- Ask Darwin Q&A #54 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #55 (Answers)
- Post Pinhoti Trail Gear Thoughts & Failures
- VAN TOUR, GIVEAWAY, & THANK-YOU'S!
- PCT Thru-Hike Gear List (FINAL)
- Gear for the PCT - Cook System & Water Storage
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 6 - Water and Windmills
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 17 - Good Days and Bad Days
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 12- Passes and Postholing
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 16 - Hiking On
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 10 - Mt. Whitney and Beyond
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 9 - Into The Sierra and Back To The Stove
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 4 - Back on Trail
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 13- A Few Rough Days
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 20 - Hello Washington!
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 3 - Trail Injuries
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 7 - Still In The Desert
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 2 - Every Available Mile
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 8 - Gateway To The Sierra
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 1
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 19 - Death By Mosquito
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 11- Blizzards, Bailouts, and Beaches
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 14- End Of The Sierra...Sorta
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 5 - Famous Places
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 18 - Crossing Into Oregon
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 15 - Refuel: Food, Beer, and Rest
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Extras & Outtakes
- Post PCT Q&A
- ZPacks Duplex 3,000+ Mile Review
- AT or PCT - Which Trail is Better?
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 21 - Another Beginning’s END
- Gear I Would CHANGE on the PCT
- So, What's Next? The CDT?
- Post PCT Thru-Hike Gear List
- Food on the PCT
- A Quick Message... AT & PCT 50th Anniversary!
- PCT Video Editing Q&A
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour: Part 1
- EE Torrid APEX Jacket 3,000+ Mile Review
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour: Part 2
- My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2018 (Top 10)
- Advice for Future PCT Hikers
- Something A Little Different + GIVEAWAY!
- Total Cost for the PCT, Mental Game, & My “OTHER” Trail Name... Q&A
- Katadyn BeFree 500 Mile Review
- Best Cameras For The Trail?