Three New Sleep Pads for Your Camping Zzzz's

If you are backpacking or doing ultralight camping of any kind, you want to maximize your sleeping comfort while minimizing weight and bulk in your pack.  I was never a big fan of the self inflating flat pads, they just don't get cushy enough for me.  I want it all--comfort and light weight packability and I also want the pad to do most of the inflation work.  Well here it is, in the Exped Synmat 7 Air Pad with Pump. 

The pad is light weight (though Exped has an even lighter one without the pump) at 31 ounces and has a good R value of 4.9, so it's warm.  The sides are slightly raised, helping to keep you on the mat and more comfortable. There is a smaller and larger size, so if you're not a tall person, you can shave off some extra weight.

It packs down close to the size of a Nalgene bottle and is simple to inflate and deflate and get back into its stuff sack.  I think the packing down is as important as set up, even more important for me because that's the part I don't like.  Set up is fun, tearing down, not so much, so I want it to go smoothly.  The quality is excellent, there's no annoying crinkling sound that you can find in light weight pads, and it just feels substantial. 

I fell in love with Exped's Mega Mat last year and swear it is the most comfortable camping pad on earth.  It's ridiculously off the charts comfortable and if you are car camping, I'd go for that one over all others.  Having said that, the Synmat 7 would still work great for car camping if, say, you were limited on space.  But for backpacking, it's the best of both worlds.

If you don't care about the integrated pump, Big Agnes has a new mat out that packs down smaller than the size of a Nalgene bottle.  The Q-Core, is a light insulated pad weighing in at just 25 ounces for a petite.

This pad features an antimicrobial insulation called X-Static which helps to mitigate odors and beef up the comfort level and warmth. It's got an R-Value of 5 to keep you warm on cold nights and raised outer air pockets which cradle your body and keep you comfortable and cozy.  A generous 3.5 inch thickness is quite comfy and it feels sturdy to me. 

The Q-Core comes in four different sizes, so you can get the right fit. It packs up and right back down easily and I was surprised what came out of its small stuff sack.  You get a lot of bang for your buck here. 

Inflation is not a big deal, the valve has a plastic coated mouthpiece and it doesn't take too long to inflate.  I do prefer self inflation, but it's a trade off.  This mat is pretty great regardless.  I love that you can lay on your side very comfortably and it's quiet and stable. 

Kelty's new Recluse series offer integrated pumps, just like the Exped mat.  They have mummy shaped pads to conform to the shape of your sleeping bag, and they have a rectangular model, the Recluse 3.0.

This one is a full size pad and it works great.  It's a fairly warm pad, with an R-Value of 2.9 (fine for summer), and it's super comfortable.  Weighing in at 2lbs 12oz, it's a little heavier for backpacking and might work best for car campers.

I love the bright orange and the cool little hand graphics at the pump.  The sides, like the other two, are raised and help cradle your body for added comfort. It's easy to deflate and roll back up and fit into its bag with no hassle.

All three pads are PVC free and come in a stuff sack and include a repair kit. 

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GEAR UP FOR SUMMER CAMPING PART 1

If you don't have any camping gear, it may seem like a big expense to get all the different things you'll want.  But if you compare it to other types of travel, the cost of hotels and restaurant food, you'll quickly find that it's a much more economical way to have family adventures.  And once you have your gear, you're good to go as often as you like. Here are some affordable quality basics for Summer car camping--stay tuned for more of my Summer Camping Series. 

EUREKA SUNRISE TENT:
My son loves this tent because it's blue, I love it because it's easy to use.  It is a very good looking tent.  Set up is simple and takes me about 10-15 minutes.  The construction is good with a "bathtub" bottom which keeps rain out.  There are extra storage options included with the tent like a hanging gear loft, storage unit, and bottle holders.

I love the sky light opening at the top (without the fly) and the windows on all sides.  This makes for great ventilation and views.  The dome is good for wind and rain.  The Sunrise 8 is a luxury tent for two, though it will accommodate four people. The tent also comes in two other sizes.

Taking the tent down and getting it back in its bag is easy and it's just a great all around economical tent for family car camping.

 Exped Mega Mat:  If you're going to splurge, I think a quality sleeping mat is a worthy luxury.  Tired and cranky do not make for a good outing.  This mat is ridiculously comfortable and two mats easily attach together if you need a double mat.  Read my in-depth review Here. 

KELTY ECLIPSE 30 DOUBLE SLEEPING BAG:  This is a great value for families.  It's a double sleeping bag that separates into two individual sleeping bags, you're basically getting a two for one deal here.

This is perfect for couples or for co-sleeping with kids.  When the child develops more autonomy and wants their own bag, voila, there it is.  The other side is a plain dark orange, which casts a nice glow in the tent. It has a pillow pocket, anti-snag zippers, a stash pocket, and I love that it has its own integrated stuff sack/carry bag--brilliant design.   It's a very comfortable sleeping bag and it doesn't get easier than this.

THERMAREST PILLOW:  Thermarest pillows are by products of their sleeping pads.  They utilize scraps to make their compressible pillows great for camping or travel.  My son especially liked the medium blue pillow--it fits his six year old frame and the colors are fun. 

Opening Image Credit: Kelty

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Exped Mega Mat: Luxury Meets Bad Ass

Over the years I've used a lot of different sleeping pads for camping, I've also slept right on the ground with nothing but a sleeping bag.  As a mom, sleep has become top priority.  I never get as much as I need, but things can quickly unravel if I'm dragging too far behind.  This is one of those things that makes family camping intimidating for me.  The thought of not getting any sleep all night and having to deal with all that extra responsibility like keeping my kid safe and the sheer work load of it all--this can be a deal breaker and it's something that's made me put off camping for years. 

I've finally found something that has taken this apprehension away--Exped's new sleep pad, The Mega Mat.    This is a game changer for me and takes the sleep pad to a new level.  Though it is very light weight, it's rather large and is not meant for backpacking, Exped has that covered with appropriate back country sleep pads.  But it is The Ultimate sleeping pad for car camping--it's extra long, extra wide, and unbelievably comfortable. 

I hesitate to use the word "luxury" with Exped because they are sort of a hard core company that provides minimalist gear for expeditions and whatnot.  However, I'm telling you, short of bringing your mattress from home, it's not going to get more comfortable than this.  It's probably a whole lot better than some mattresses.  At the same time, if you have a way to transport it (llamas?) you could use this for sleeping in more extreme conditions.  Exped founder  Andy Brun mentions sleeping on ice in his demo video while he shows you how simple it is to use. 

It comes in a roomy stuff sack with an innovative cloth air pump.  The mat self inflates to a point and you can use the pump to adjust the mat to your comfort level.  It's very straightforward and couldn't be easier to manage.

The appearance is good looking with certified eco friendly non toxic red and gray fabric with a nice honeycomb pattern.  This mat meets Oekotek standards and there is absolutely no chemical smell.  I like that there is a valve for inflating and a separate valve for deflation.  The Mats have toggles so they can connect to each other easily forming a double mat.  I love this attention to detail, and that everything simply works, there's no frustration factor here.

This could easily be used for house guests.  Last year during the holidays, I purchased one of those self inflating air beds for company I was having (I don't remember the brand).  Nice idea, but as soon as I opened the box and started to take it out, the smell almost knocked me over.  It was offgassing  so much that I put it back into the box and returned it.  The Mega Mat, while not raised off the ground like a bed thus posing possible difficulty for older folks, is just as comfy as air mattresses I've tried but has no odor.  It's also easier and faster to set up, take down, and store.

REI is about to have one of their 20% off coupons and I'm going to go and get another Mega Mat with my coupon.  They are a little spendy, I realize that, but this is quality.  You buy it once and you're done.   Click HERE to find the Mega Mat at REI or HERE to find it on Exped's site.

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