Sleeping Pad Protection

[AZGUY]

So backpacking in AZ isn't like most Northern states where if you clear the area really well you should be able to just put a polycro sheet down or not use one at all. The places I go have big thorns, small thorns, hair like thorns, etc and it seeme like the more you stir up the ground the more they rear their ugly heads. I've gone through multiple patch jobs on my latest pad and am a little fed up. I've been using some plastic painters drop cloths up to this point and need something more durable. I'm thinking going as far as just cutting a blue tarp to size and using that or trying to find a heavy duty 1p tent footprint to use. Anything suggestions on some puncture resistant materials?

 

[tommymo]

Tyvek for a ground sheet

 

[gumbl3]

buy some Kevlar by the yard and glue it to your pad?

I have no experience with it, so not sure how stiff it would be but some of it shows 2.2 oz yd.. not too bad

 

[AZGUY]

I've used Tyvek and still had punctures.

 

[Hungarydog]

How about a z lite

 

[JP100]

Just use a normal foam pad. Them your blow up mattress on top. Bit of extra bulk but looks like you have no other option. They are cheap as chips and last for ages.

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[FreeRange]

I'd think a DIY reflectix pad would be a good compliment to an inflatable pad. A Z lite would be a bit heavier and bulkier but would work as a standalone puncture-proof pad. When I'm desert camping it's not (usually) so cold that I need two pads.

I believe you could make the reflectix accordian up with a few strategically placed score marks in the material. Some velcro to mate the reflectix pad to the inflatable pad would make sure you don't slide off and puncture your air pad.

 

[AK Troutbum]

How about a z lite

That's what I was going to suggest, or a UL cot.

 

[oenanthe]

Just use a normal foam pad. Them your blow up mattress on top. Bit of extra bulk but looks like you have no other option. They are cheap as chips and last for ages.

+1 And if you're concerned about weight and bulk, there are 1/8" foam pads available ( I think Gossamer Gear has them).

 

[mfllood3800]

Ditch the pad and just get a cot and be done with it. No need for Tyvek, sleeping pad, tarp or anything.

 

[TJ]

+1 And if you're concerned about weight and bulk, there are 1/8" foam pads available ( I think Gossamer Gear has them).

This is exactly what I was thinking. Their pads are fairly lite.

Sleeping Pads for Backpacking

 

[Hunter6]

Could always use that as a reason to get a lightweight cot.


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[TheCougar]

I'm in Az, and unless you are on 2-3 inches of foam, a cactus spike will go all the way though. I have an inflatable pad, and I use a tarp and my tent floor for protection. If I'm really concerned about it, I will put clothes from my pack under my mattress pad. That being said, nothing is a substitute for proper site preparation and really sanitizing the area under the tent.

 

[AZGUY]

Thank so for the feedback guys it's much appreciated. I agree with TheCougar and dontuse the foam mats because they always seem to store needles in them. It seems like no matter how good of a job you do clearing the site needles will still be present and I'm talking about being on hands and knees brushing your hand over the dirt, it's nasty. The cots seem like a good option but for the weight and price I'm not ready to go that far yet. I'm thinking a cheap blue tarp cut to the size of my pad or a heavy duty 1p sink nylon tent footprint may work.

 

[ben h]

Another fan of the Z-lite here. I use a ground sheet too, put the z-lite on that and BA-air pad on top of that. Up north we don't have things anywhere near as prickly as the desert, but on more than 1 occasion I've had my air pad punctured by pine needles. The z-lite also makes for a good glassing pad, or just for use around camp. One thing I like to do on my pads is run a few beads of sil net silicone down the ribs and it really helps prevent your pad/bag from moving if you're not on completely level ground (which I never seem to be on).