If you are looking for a comfortable way to sleep outdoors, you should consider investing in a self inflating sleeping pad. These pads are designed to be lightweight and easy to transport, making them perfect for camping trips or backpacking trips. But how do they work? In this article, we will take a closer look at how does a self inflating sleeping pad work and show you how to get the most out of your investment!
What is a Self Inflating Sleeping Pad?
If you’re into backpacking, you have definitely heard of a standard foam cell or inflatable sleeping pads. But, what exactly is a self inflating sleeping pad? A self inflating sleeping pad is a combination of the 2 traditional pads. It is made up of a foam cell pad with an air valve. The valve is what allows you to inflate the sleeping pad by unscrewing the valve and letting the foam core suck in air or compressing the pad with the valve open to deflate the pad. No more blowing up your inflatable pad or storing a huge foam pad. A self inflating sleeping pad truly does combine the best of both worlds.
Some people might be wondering if a self inflating sleeping pad is worth the investment. After all, they are not as cheap as your traditional foam cell pads and they tend to be heavier than air pads. But, there are many reasons why you should consider buying one. For starters, they offer great comfort and insulation from the ground. They are also very easy to set up and transport- perfect for camping trips!
How Does a Self Inflating Sleeping Pad Work?
Now that we know a little more about self inflating sleeping pads, let’s take a closer look at how they work. As we mentioned before, these pads are made up of a foam cell pad inside of the pad and an air valve. The air valve is what allows you to inflate the sleeping pad by unscrewing it and letting the foam core suck in air or compressing it with the valve open to deflate. How does this happen? Well, there are two types of valves used in these pads: one way flow valves and non-return valves.
A one way flow valve allows air to move freely into the pad, but not out. A non-return valve is the type of valve found on traditional inflatable pads. This valve allows air to escape from the pad when you open it, which is why you have to blow them up each time you use them.
Why You Would Want a Self Inflating Pad
As we said above, there are many reasons you might consider a self inflating pad over the traditional foam cell or inflatable pads.
- Comfort: A self inflating sleeping pad is much more comfortable than a traditional inflatable pad. The air valve allows you to adjust the firmness of the pad, so you can find the perfect level of comfort for you. The foam core provides an even cushion of support without the displacement of air affecting how you sleep.
- Insulation: These pads are designed to provide insulation from the ground, which is important if you are sleeping outside in cold weather conditions. The foam core of the pad helps keep you warm while also providing comfort and support for your body when laying down on it.
- Set up: A self inflating sleeping pad is very easy to set up, which is perfect for those who are not familiar with camping or backpacking, or those who don’t want to take the time to manually blow up a pad. Simply remove it from its packaging, open the valve and let it inflate on its own. No need to spend time blowing it up like you would an inflatable pad!
- Packability: A self inflating sleeping pad is much easier to transport than a traditional foam cell pad. It folds up small, making it perfect for bringing with you on camping trips or backpacking adventures.
When it comes to comfort, insulation, ease of setup, and packability, a self inflating sleeping pad is the perfect compromise between air pads and foam cell. You have the easy setup of a foam pad with the packability of an air pad, and the top notch insulation properties of a foam core with the adjustability of an air pad. If you are looking for the best of both worlds in a sleeping pad, then a self inflating sleeping pad is the way to go.
What to Look for in a Self Inflating Sleeping Pad
Now that you know all about self inflating sleeping pads, what should you look for when purchasing one? Here are some things to consider:
- Size: How big do you want your pad to be? The size of the pad will determine how much room it takes up in your tent as well as how comfortable it is for sleeping on.
- Weight: How much weight are you willing to carry with you when backpacking or camping? A heavier self inflating sleeping mat might not sound like fun, but it will provide more insulation from the cold ground and will normally be more comfortable than a lighter one.
- Budget: Self inflating sleeping pads are not cheap! They can range anywhere between $30-$200 depending on brand name and size/weight of pad desired. You get what you pay for when it comes to these pads, so be sure to do your research and find the one that is perfect for you.
Conclusion
So there you have it! Everything you need to know about self inflating sleeping pads and how they work. Now that you are an expert, it’s time to go out and buy one for yourself! Be sure to consider all of the factors mentioned in this article when making your purchase so that you can find the perfect pad for your needs. Happy camping!
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My goal with my writing and Know Nothing Nomads as a whole is to share my passions of hiking, camping, and a love of the outdoors with our readers. Making the difficult and uncertain feel more approachable to people that might not know enough to feel comfortable taking their first steps into the wilderness is a driving factor for me. When I’m not writing you can find me on a trail, in a forest, or next to a river with hiking shoes on my feet and a fly rod somewhere close by.
Ashley is an adventurous soul who loves all things nature, especially warm sunshine, wildflowers, scenic snacking, and mushrooms. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast who has spent years enjoying time outside doing things like hiking, camping, and rock climbing.
Her goal with Know Nothing Nomads is to make these hobbies easily accessible through knowledgeable content and how-to’s based on all the stuff she’s learned on her journey. If she isn’t writing an article, she’s probably in a forest looking at big mountain views and tiny pieces of moss on the side of the trail.