Sick of popping sleeping pads!

Over the past 1.5 years, I’ve now somehow destroyed 2 inflatable sleeping pads. One was an Xtherm and the other was an Uberlite. I’m relatively careful with them, but obviously not careful enough. What robust options are you folks using? Do you prefer closed cell? 

I've settled on a full length CCF + torso length Prolite for climbing. Not as light but burly. I can't sleep on CCF alone on a hard surface personally, but at least I won't freeze if the Prolite gives up. Prolites are tougher than NeoAirs IMO, and easier to repair in the field (flat surface). Heavier and less packable though, no free lunch. 

NeoAirs are awesome for comfort/weight until they don't work. Still use them backpacking. 

(You may have known this already, but I just want to point out that you can patch holes/tears in inflatable sleeping pads pretty easily)

I own a bunch of different style pads, including a Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest SOLight (closed cell).  Here's why you should buy one of these puppies:

-Dirt cheap
-Effective at insulating you from the cold ground
-Essentially indestructible: throw it on sharp stuff, walk all over it, the worst that's gonna happen is the silvery stuff starts to flake off a little
-fairly light, especially if you get a short model that only covers head-to-thigh and find some other way to pad your legs

The downsides:
-bulky: you are pretty much forced to strap this to the outside of your pack if backpacking
-not plush: try these out at your local REI, they are not super comfy. If you want comfort you should add something else under it like your rope/pack/second thin pad/etc

An added bonus if you're road-tripping or car camping: cover your cooler with it during the drive; it reflects the sun off and creates more insulation to keep your ice from melting so fast in a hot car.

I have a bunch of different ones. I have two Big Agnes ones that I have used extensively, a QCore and a QCore SLX, both pack small, are insulated, and have been used in 4 season conditions. I usually pair them with a ZLite because having a closed cell to sit on in the winter is crucial and it serves as a backup in case the air mattresses do pop. I also have an Exped Downmat which is finicky to inflate and heavier and smaller than the Big Agnes' I have. It's got a much tougher fabric and down insulation, but I'd still never go anywhere without my ZLite.

For 70 grams, this little pad will add a lot of durability to whatever lightweight pad you choose:
https://www.gossamergear.com/products/thinlight-foam-pad
Also, Thermarest has a great warranty. If the issues were user error, they will still do a professional repair for a small fee, which I think is very reasonable.

I have used an insulated Klymit pad for years, and it hasn't let me down. After 3 years or so it got a very slow leak (still mostly inflated in the morning), and Klymit replaced it with a brand new one for free. Can't recommend enough.

Chris, out of curiosity where are you getting holes in your pads?  I don't use those particular pads but am definitely concerned about my inflatable leaking on an alpine route.  I have used a Zlite for alpine climbing in the past, but have had several really cold nights sleeping on snow so I am planning on pairing it with an air pad (S2S) for upcoming routes.

I'd be kinda scared to use the Uberlite, it has ridiculously thin fabrics in the name of saving weight (it's 15D top and bottom, Xtherm is 30D/70D, S2S is 30D/40D).  I love light stuff but I think there's a limit...

I like my Zlite paired with a Neoair All Season for most objectives, good balance or weight, versatility, comfort and durability.

That said, in winter I skip the Zlite for an old school 3/8 Closed cell foam pad. The smooth surface doesn’t hold snow in all divots like a Zlite does. And any snow brushes off much easier. If you are inside a tent with a floor it’s less of an issue, but I find no downside to the Evazote type pad. Bonus, I got my favorite one at a New Zealand thrift shop for $5nz.

Paco pad

http://www.jpwinc.com/pages/photo-pacopads.html

CO_Michael wrote: Paco pad

http://www.jpwinc.com/pages/photo-pacopads.html

Those pads weigh from 6 to 14 lbs. Holy heaviness!

I have a thermarest prolite that I've had for years, I had 2 rei branded equivalents before but they eventually became not air tight but had no holes (dunked in a tub to check)  I think the laminate wore out so I switched to the name brand.  My thermarest was great until my girlfriend borrowed it and put her ice axe through it or something.  I sewed the hole closed and blobbed rubber cement on it and then glued 2 layers of patches over that, 1 patch bigger than the other (I think I used tenacious tape).  That was 2 years ago and its still going strong, patch still holding

obviously the foam pads are more durable.  Personally I avoid the popular super thick new style balloon pads as they take forever to inflate and if they do pop give you nothing, at least the old style thermarest has a little foam inside.  It seems that most people disagree with me here though.

Z Winters wrote: For 70 grams, this little pad will add a lot of durability to whatever lightweight pad you choose:
https://www.gossamergear.com/products/thinlight-foam-pad
Also, Thermarest has a great warranty. If the issues were user error, they will still do a professional repair for a small fee, which I think is very reasonable.

I see some more info on very thin pads here

https://sectionhiker.com/gossamer-gear-thinlight-foam-pad-review-one-eighth-inch/

FrankPS wrote:

Those pads weigh from 6 to 14 lbs. Holy heaviness!

Well, yes.

I have had my first one for 30 years.  Done everything on the website with it.  My new one is the thick version.  So nice.

Did I take mine to 17k on Denali....no.

You could try some foam sheets. Plenty of grades to choose and can get it made to the size you want.

Klymit, I don't know how they hit specs so similar to thermarest and end up SOOOOO much more durable but they did. Also at a much better price.

Chris C. wrote: Over the past 1.5 years, I’ve now somehow destroyed 2 inflatable sleeping pads. One was an Xtherm and the other was an Uberlite. I’m relatively careful with them, but obviously not careful enough. What robust options are you folks using? Do you prefer closed cell? 

Used to have the same issue until I cut an old closed cell foam pad (ridge rest), about a 3-4 ft piece, that covers my hips to shoulders. I’ll then lay my inflatable pad on top of it. Roll them up together. A few extra once’s but a very comfy sleep w/ zero worries.  

The cut closed cell foam piece works well for a light one night bivy option too. 

of note - any pad in which you use your breath to inflate, will eventually get a leak. I spoke with a designer at Cascade about this and there is a mold that eventually grows and eats away at the glue...

bearded sam wrote: of note - any pad in which you use your breath to inflate, will eventually get a leak. I spoke with a designer at Cascade about this and there is a mold that eventually grows and eats away at the glue...

The mold thrives on moisture so yes, inflating by mouth will eventually result in a leaky pad. The better sleeping pads have an anti-microbial treatment inside which reduces the chance of this happening. Storing the pad unrolled with the valve open, in a dry environment also helps, if this is an option. There are a couple of storage sacks on the market that turn into inflators, which reduces or eliminates the moisture getting into the pad. 

bearded sam wrote: of note - any pad in which you use your breath to inflate, will eventually get a leak. I spoke with a designer at Cascade about this and there is a mold that eventually grows and eats away at the glue...

The Xtherm for the most part is welded together, I would imagine. Maybe the inner baffles will get damaged after prolonged use, but the outer casing welded. You can actually fix side leaks, or cut down the pad itself by rewelding the two sides together with a hot iron - just iron it back together. 

I've had my Xtherme for one, at least four years. Tons of abuse, literal cuts, leaks, etc. Been able to always fix it. Seam seal is your friend. Even in weird crevacess, just keep applying small layers of it until cured, and repeat.

I wonder if this is more of a problem in more humid places.

Regardless, a lot of pads now come with (or you can buy separately) a inflator bag. Useful little bit of kit.

Foam pad + Inflatable pad is the path.  When I climbed Liberty Ridge, I had to sleep on the rope because my fucking inflatable pad popped.  I didn't sleep at all that night...