Sleeping Pad for Colder Climates

     I am a novice at the very least when it comes to camping. Camping gear, quality camping gear comes at a cost some of it to high, so when I can I create what I can. Since my journey has begun it has lead me to the point of trying to find an affordable sleeping arrangement  for camping and it has been a daunting task. I am not as young and springy as I once was and the idea of sleeping on the hard and cold ground is as far as it gets from comfort for me.

     Hammocks in general are great but only in areas with close sitting trees, so my search continued. Next came cots, while supplying a definite comfort level I was searching for, it however was severely lacking int the mobility department. Finally I came upon an affordable and fairly convient way to attain a sleeping area, the sleeping mat. From this point I became inundated with information, closed cell, open cell, self-inflating and every combination of them. I came to the conclusion that to get the comfort level I wanted I would have to pay so I decided I had to create my own plus it would also be a lot more fun.

Step 1: Supplies

Supplies

- 6'x8' Rug & Carpet Pad
     - Home Depot, Store SKU # 294560, $24.95
     - I wanted something nicer but all the local stores only sold it by the roll.
     - Not exactly 6'x8'
- 3M 24 oz. Hi-Strength 90 Spray Adhesive
     - Home Depot,  Store SKU # 453501, $12.99
     - This stuff is AWESOME!
- Sleeping Bag (Rectangular)
     - Got mine used from Good Will, $5.00
- Reflective Emergency Survival foil Blanket
     - Had an extra one lying around but they usually go for just a couple of dollars.

Tools

- Hobby knife / seam ripper (Take apart sleeping bag)
- Sewing Machine or if you have a lot of patience then needle and thread.
- Someone who knows how to use sewing machine, Sister-in-law.
- Utility Knife
- Straight Edge of some sort, 6.5 foot 2"x4"
- Tape Measure

Comments

[blodefood]

Re other comments: If it is too heavy for backpack/bike camping, it would still be quite useable for trailer or tent camping. You could also use it as a guest bed in a basement as it looks like it would be warm.

[kinggargantuan]

As other people already noted, 9lbs is really WAY too heavy. You could shed a lot of that weight by not using any glue at all. Since you're already sewing, find a way to sew the linings together.

[funtickets]

9 lbs. is way too heavy for a sleeping pad.

[IX Smith XI]

One thing you could try to get the weight down without killing its warmth is to find a thinner rug mat and when you are attaching the space blanket, sew in thin but wide semi-filled air bubbles into the mat. You could experiment the spacing of the air bubbles and even the mat itself to have one of those accordion style sleeping pads.

[DamianKillcannon]

This is a very cool idea and it sounds like it works great for you. however 9lbs is a little much for my liking unless I was dragging a sled instead of carrying a backpack. I like to use of the space blanket.

[RedneckEngineer]

I like this, very well thought out. In the intrest of backpackers how much does this thing weigh when your finished?

[mscharf]

I do not have a scale I will have to get back to you on that one.

[mscharf]

9 lbs.

[RedneckEngineer]

WOW that was much more than I would have guessed it would have been!

[mscharf]

lt is a little heavy but I think its worth it for a two or even a five day outing.

[susanrm]

It looks warm, but how much does it weigh? Weight is so critical if you are backpacking. I have a Thermarest I got from Campmor for $20. In the winter, I just add an extra layer (emergency blanket works well) for insulation.

[mscharf]

I do not have a scale I will have to get back to you on that one.

[mscharf]

9 lbs.

[Grissini]

mmmm shiny!