Necessity of a Sleeping Pad?

[Johnny]

Do you use a sleeping pad? I know that sleeping without it is definitely not the same as sleeping with it. Has anyone of you ever got used to sleeping without it?

[ejj]

Planning to do car camping. I just bought 2 Easy-Fold cots and 2 Teton universal camp pads. The set up and trying it out seems comfortable. I shared a air mattress with my son last camp out and was not fun. I hope this is a better night sleep more restful and less pains in the back. - I will see and let you know.

[Lamebeaver]

I have slept without a sleeping pad, but I'm not sure if "slept" would accurately describe that night (I didn't get much_).

[oldsarge]

Originally Posted by Lamebeaver

I have slept without a sleeping pad, but I'm not sure if "slept" would accurately describe that night (I didn't get much_).

That's for sure, but then there were times I was so tired and worn out that I was out cold no matter where I was at. I guess it all depends on how tired you are.

[Geezer]

The older I get the more necessary a sleeping pad gets. I actually have a sleeping pad built into my sleeping bag and I still need another one under me. The should rename the story "The Geezer and the Pea"

[Grandpa]

As kids, we did not have have pads but ground cloths that we would fold to give protection from the cold ground. We used to dig hip and shoulder holes in the ground so our bodies could lay straight. We would try to find the softest ground available. In the forests, next to a rotting log would be a lot of "sawdust residue" from the termite actions that was nice and soft.
Air mattresses then were rubberized cloth and weighed a bunch, two much for backpacking, even if we had them. My grandkids today just carry one of those cheap blue pads from wal-mart for insulation rather than comfort. When they get big enough to carry the extra weight, they add a bigger pad.

[charley]

I think age may have even more to do with it than how tired I am. When I was in my teens I spent many nights along the creek in the woods. None of us had a sleeping bag. We built a fire and lay on the ground around it and slept. Later in life I had a blow up air matress that was very comfortable. It was about 3" thick. I have even taken it backpacking. I had a number of years away from backpacking and when I made my first attempt at starting again I took a blue ccf pad. Wow, talk about miserable. I slept little that night. I then went to a thermorest 1.5" thick and when cold a ccf pad under it. I now sleep in a hammock surrounded in down and nylon, very comfy. I have no desire to try sleeping without a pad or two. As I got older I needed more comfort.

[firedancer]

I never used a sleeping pad until I was about 30 - not only are they good for old bones and muscles, most will add warmth on cold nights.

[briansnat]

For the first few years I camped it was without a sleeping pad. I thought a pad was an unnecessary luxury. I spent many a cold, uncomfortable night in my tent, but figured that's camping.

After buying a Ridge Rest, then later a Thermarest I learned that a sleeping pad is darn near essential for the warmth alone, but it also is far more comfortable than the hard ground.

[ppine]

I like Grandpa's post. We used to look for soft spots like deep pine needles. When it was considered ethical we cut conifer boughs for a nice soft mattress, but only do that now in emergencies. A Sunday newspaper makes for nice insulation from the cold ground. My favorite is a bale of straw spread out on the ground about 12 inches deep.

If its really cold, build a long fire a few hours before bed. Let it die down and cover with about 2 1/2 inches of soil and sleep on that.

Now on solo day hikes I sometimes just lie down and take a nap out in the woods somewhere. It is a very primitive experience to just lie down and dream in the middle of no where.