Do you really need a sleeping pad?

[IsNotAHome]

Do you want your body tempurature to be the same as the ground you are on? If you don't then some form of insulation is required between you and the ground.

[Safety Pins]

I've devised a fairly comfortable, very inexpensive and extremely lightweight sleeping pad. I bought two 17 x 17 x 1" foam pads enclosed in plastic wrap from my local Joann's Fabrics. Leaving on the wrap, I put the two pads in a pillowcase and close it with -- of course! -- safety pins. Could also be sewn. Maybe for taller people (I'm 5'3"), three pads would work, maybe in a king-size pillowcase. This has worked very well for me, especially the light-weight part, and I'll use it again this year.

[Spokes]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Lot of good ideas here, I'm defiantly going to try sleeping without a pad these next couple of nights to see. I always thought the pad was a comfort thing, I had no idea it helps keep you warm. Thank you.

Good. Report back here with your conclusions. I'm sure whatever you decide will keep this thread alive for a couple more days.

[SomeCallMeTim]

Just finished a section hike using a vinyl air mattress for swimming pools - found that if you fill it 3/4 full you will not only be warm, but you'll be comfortable...

by the way...the way I found out that it needed to be 3/4 full? I filled it full of air the first night and awoke with my hip being numb and my back being cold!

Spend the money on the sleeping pad - it's worth it!

[Anumber1]

i never used one for like 5 years, except in winter, but now I dont go anywhere without it