Therm-a-rest Trail Scout - Gear Review
When I get interested in something, I research everything I can about it but when I read that I needed a sleeping pad, I was a little apprehensive. I have been camping before with my family a bunch of times and we always just set up a tent, threw a sleeping bag in there, and went to bed. Then I remembered that we usually camped on grass or level dirt campgrounds, in the summer. So I read a little more and realized that not only was the pad for comfort, it was to insulate your body off of the cold ground. I needed a sleeping pad.I searched through all of the major brands and tried some out in my local REI on the floor. I compared the size, weight, insulation ratings, and price. I read that winter sleeping pads should have around a four R value. R values are usually used in the construction and building industry to measure insulation or thermal resistance value. I looked at self inflating mats and ones you had to blow up yourself. Not only did self inflating mats seem to have better insulation ratings, they also seemed to be easier to set up in the woods.
I ended up getting a small, Therm-a-rest Trail Scout which is a three-quarter pad. This sleeping pad has an R value of 3.4, weighed in at 14 ounces, and became nice and small when deflated. The really nice thing about it was the price. It came in at forty dollars at REI and I picked it up that day. You cannot find another mat with the ability to fit inside your pack so small, this light, with enough insulation to keep you warm. Believe me, I looked.
I tried the sleeping pad out on my first early winter hike. I hiked with a forty degree summer bag and, without this pad, I would've been so much colder through the night. It set up very quickly while my buddy was still blowing up his inflatable mattress. Having a three-quarter pad ended up working out well as I was able to have a spot to put my backpack at night, out of the elements, under my feet. At one inch thick, the mat was very comfortable when sleeping on your back and kept me warm throughout the night.
I never thought I would gain this much warmth (or not lose so much heat) by just insulating under my body. It has now become an integral part of my sleep system and is so easy to set up. When inflating the pad, you only have to add a small amount of air. In the winter, this is really important not to add moisture that would freeze in the cold and stay in the pad. I have used this as my only pad for over a year now and I am very happy. The small complaint I have is when I sleep on my side with this pad, it is not immediately uncomfortable but I do find myself having to rotate to the other side at some point in the night to maintain my comfort. While I am rotating, the mat is nice and quiet and does not seem to wake or bother anyone else hiking with me and is wide enough so you don't come off of the pad while moving.
I would never go backpacking without this pad again. It has proved to fit nicely in my pack, work well with my sleep system, and very durable. I cannot believe that this is not the best selling starter sleeping pad for all. The insulation rating at this price point is incredible and the comfort holds up. For forty dollars, I challenge you to find a better sleeping pad that keeps you warm.
Pros:
Size deflated
Thickness
Weight
Durability
Price
Warmth
Quiet material
Width
Cons:
Side Sleeping
0 comments: