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Sleeping Pads: waffle, egg-crate, or self-inflating
(click to view a larger image)
Sleeping outdoors is one of the greater joys of camping. However, if you want to get a good night's sleep, you'll need some sort of sleeping pad to protect you from the cold, hard ground. There are many varieties available and the choice boils down to your personal preferences and how much you want to spend. You can see the two that I use in the photos above.
The first pads (on the left) are commonly referred to as waffle foam or egg-crate foam sleeping pads. These pads are made out of closed-cell foam, meaning you can't squeeze all the air out of them, and they will be somewhat bulky when rolled up. Because of their bulkiness, these pads aren't quite suitable for backpacking, but are more than adequate otherwise. You can find these in most sporting goods stores, Army Navy outlets, and online camping gear retailers for about $20-$25. They are usually 20-27 inches wide and 72 inches long, and weight about 3-5 pounds.
My wife and I have two of these pads and use them when tent camping or when camping in the back of our truck. One side has a moisture-proof coating and is the side that we place on the bottom, with the "waffles" pointing up. After rolling them out next to each other, we lay an opened rectangular sleeping bag on top, and then we cover this with a flannel sheet. On top of this is a top sheet, a comforter, and a few pillows. We're talking cozy here!
The other pad (on the right) is a Therm-a-Rest that I bought back in '78. These are self-inflating open-cell pads, meaning you can compress the air out of them, which makes them ideal for backpacking. Another plus is that one side is covered with a texturized fabric to keep your sleeping bag from sliding off. The one I have is a full-length model at 20 inches wide and 72 inches long, and weighs about 3 pounds. It cost as much now as I paid for it back then, about $60. These are great insulators and ideal for camping in cold climates. I would suggest getting a full-length model rather than a 3/4 length, so that you can insulate your entire body.
These aren't the only choices. There are many brands and manufacturers of each of these type sleeping pads, but don't rule out air mattresses, cots, or even a futon, if you have the means to get it to the campground. Choose what's appropriate for your camping style, and you'll surely sleep cozy and comfortable at the campground. Sweet dreams!
Sleeping Pads:
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(Photo copyright 2001 David J. Sweet, licensed to About, Inc.)
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