Originally Posted by
PedalingWalrus
I don't know if I follow all the reasons here but are you saying you camp without a sleeping pad? How many nights have you done?
FWIW (google it) I slept without a pad and without a tent until I wa 21, done probably 200 nights outdoors during that era from 5th grade to adulthood. It's not something you see nowadays as there are sensible alternatives. Back then I had a cotton insulation filled sleeping bag on top of waxed cotton camo tarp military groundsheet with a second groundsheet (same military surplus camo) over the sleeping bag like a second blanket.
Today I would probably stack two fleece blankets if I couldn't use down bags or common synthetic bags. They sell them with zippers like sleeping bag liners.
Too many to count! I've done 3 tours (30-60 days/each), backpacked parts of the CDT in Colorado, the PCT in Washington and Oregon (10-14 days/each trip) and have been camping at least one or two weekends a month every month of the year for the past 8 years or so. Among other numerous short tours and backpacking trips.
I sleep better on hard surfaces as does my other half. Even our mattress at home is one of the firmer memory foam ones.
That and we don't have much room for any additional gear. We travel pretty light!
Originally Posted by
jefnvk
I've done it plenty. I like hard surfaces, Even when I don't, I only use those blue foam pads.
I'm forced to buy a "proper" pad for my next trip, as I don't have the space in luggage for the blue rolls and I can't guarantee clean grassy spots to camp. I guess I'll see what I've been missing out on.
Yes! Read my comments to pedalingwalrus!
Which pad are you looking at? We've looked at this one
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad | Backcountry.com