Fast help-sleeping pad foam alternatives to commercially available

[IdahoDoug]

We're heading out on a camping trip this weekend and got some new sleeping bags, but flipped out on the $50-190 price for the foam sleeping pads. Not only are these prices highway robbery for a slab of foam, but they're also really skimpy sizes for the car camping phase of my life I'm in with a family of 4. My car camping sleeping bag is 40" wide and zips to my wife's but the "SUPER XL" pads are only 30". I have a couple ultralight packpacker pads from our kidless days, and understand their value but that's not what I'm looking for now.

So, looking for what you guys have come up with for alternatives. I'm going to fabric stores tomorrow to look if they sell foam rubber by the yard, but in case not I thought I'd ask what solutions might be available on short notice. No time to order stuff with Friday departure.


Thanks!!

DougM

 

[bigndn]

I use this on my cot, Doug, and highly recommend it. I think they even have one that's 48" wide.

Cabela's Deluxe Cot Pads

Obviously BlackSheep and/or Sportsmans would have something similar.

 

[bigndn]

Here's another thought..........a couple of queen size airbeds. I use a twin on fire assignments and it's heaven.

IIRC they're about $20 each at SatanMart.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Nice pads, but again with the $90 each X4 for what amounts to a foam slab. It'll be $400 by the time I got them with tax, etc. Nutty, considering they're going under $40 car camping bags....

Checked around for online foam rubber sheets and it seems like if I'd had time I could have ordered ahead for around $25 each sheet. That seems more reasonable for in-tent padding (never exposed to water or dirt like a packpacker model will be). I'll be snooping around town today to see if I can find anything locally by Friday.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Velour top air mattresses from Wal-Mart, replace them every couple of years. Don't forget to bu the Coleman inflator/deflator.
Very important to get the velour top kind, the others are clammy and noisy.

 

[IdahoDoug]

That's a good suggestion, though I've heard the air mattress can create a box of cold air to sleep in.

Fruitless search for slabs O' foam in my area. Widest I could find was 24" and it was $6.50/foot so each one would cost around $45. Not a really massive savings yet. Perhaps industrial supply houses in Spokane.

DougM

 

[bigndn]

Velour top air mattresses from Wal-Mart, replace them every couple of years. Don't forget to bu the Coleman inflator/deflator.
Very important to get the velour top kind, the others are clammy and noisy.

That's a good suggestion, though I've heard the air mattress can create a box of cold air to sleep in.

DougM

It's not as bad as you might think. If you're snuggling the wifey in a double bag, who cares?

OTOH, if you'd like to try mine out, your welcome to them. I have the cot pad I mentioned above and a self inflating pad. You can borrow them anytime.

 

[davegonz]

I gave up on foam sleeping pads/thermarests, etc. We now camp with air mattresses and love it. They are a bit more bulkier, but getting a good night's sleep is invaluable.

 

[rusty_tlc]

That's a good suggestion, though I've heard the air mattress can create a box of cold air to sleep in.

Fruitless search for slabs O' foam in my area. Widest I could find was 24" and it was $6.50/foot so each one would cost around $45. Not a really massive savings yet. Perhaps industrial supply houses in Spokane.

DougM

We add a space blanket underneth, it's amazing how well that works. The velour tops seem to sleep warmer too.

My wife was down at the Mill Ends store yesterday pricing out foam to replace some cushions. They have all sizes. Pricing is $1.80 a board foot. (1 BF = 12"X12"X1", I had to look it up.) It gets pricey fast.

I gave up on foam sleeping pads/thermarests, etc. We now camp with air mattresses and love it. They are a bit more bulkier, but getting a good night's sleep is invaluable.

My biggest beef with foam is how bulky it is, even for car camping. That is if you get a piece thick enough to be comfortable.

 

[ducktapeguy]

Sam's club has a really good inflatable air mattress, best one I've ever used. It's two twins that zip together to form a king size, each side has a built in rechargeable air pump. I don't remember the brand name, but it's $55 for the set, a bit less if you're a member. So for a family of 4 you'd only be out $100. So far all the people that have slept on mine have liked it so much they have gone out and bought one.

Or you can do what my friend did last time we went camping, haul a twin size sealy posturpedic in the back of his pickup.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Tapeguy: Thanks - got two of these on hold for pickup tomorrow. Great call and exactly what I needed - zips together for the combined sleeping bags, or separately and the dimensions match the oversized sleeping bags exactly. Atop that, we already have a powerful battery powered inflator and all 4 will cost a mere $70 to sleep on air.

Chad, I think my problems are solved.....

DougM

 

[ducktapeguy]

Just in case anyone else is wondering, I found the box at home. The brand is Sofina, it's the same as this one

Amazon.com: Sofina Air Beds - Home & Garden: Home & Garden

I've kept them inflated for months with no leakage, which is a problem I found with most other mattresses.

 

[sseaman]

i used a eggshell type mattress topper, not to pricey or bulky

 

[IdahoDoug]

Tape,

Wow - I'm ruined for tent camping now as I used air mattresses from Coleman. You're right, I can sleep on my side even! Amazing. We just got back and hour ago and the attached air mattresses basically make a king bed so tons of room and nobody has to sleep on the wet spot.

Doug

 

[ducktapeguy]

nobody has to sleep on the wet spot.

Doug

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