R-value: What it is and why it matters The bare earth sucks warmth from us. A sleeping pad protects us from that. R-value is the rating of a sleeping pad’s ability to keep you warm. Pads generally fall between ratings of 1 to 7. A lower R-value means that a pad provides less insulation against the cold, while a higher rating provides more. In summer in Washington, you can often get away with an R-value of 3 or lower, but if the nights are going to be colder, a value of 5 or higher will keep you warmer.
Inflation methods Lungs: Most pads these days come with a multivalve that has an “in” option and an “out” option. This makes blowing up the pad using your breath much easier, because you don’t have to worry about the air escaping when you take a breath. How many breaths it takes to fully inflate a pad depends on several factors: the individual pad design, how tired you are at the end of the day and the elevation where you are. If blowing up a pad using your breath sounds unpleasant, you may want to find a pad with another option. Inflation sack: Available with some pads. This option allows you to wave a bag around, gathering air and then directing that air into your pad. One bonus of this method is that the sack can double as a pillow with a few clothing items stuffed inside. Integrated pump: Some pads come with a hand pump built in. This adds weight, so you’ll need to decide if it’s worth it. 38 Washington Trails / Summer 2022 / wta.org
Self-inflation: This feature allows you to open the valve when you get to camp and let the pad suck in the air it needs. Along with ease of inflation, these pads offer the comfort of open-cell foam plus good insulation but they tend to be heavier and less compact than a basic inflatable pad.
Noise While foam pads are generally very quiet, the lightest inflatable pads can be noisy, due to the layer of Mylar-like heat-reflecting insulation inside. If you do a lot of rolling over during the night, that sound may annoy your backpacking buddies. Some midweight pads are actually very quiet and if you share a tent or tend to sleep very close to other tents, it may be worth checking out the options in person before making an investment.
Slip-sliding away Many popular inflatable pads are made of material that doesn’t provide a lot of friction. They can slide around a tent floor, which may mean you spend the night chasing your pad around or sliding right off it. One trick to encourage your pad to stay put is to put several diagonal rows of seam seal on both the bottom of the pad and the tent floor. When the seam seal stripes touch each other, they help stop the slide.
Storage When you’re back from the trail, your sleeping pad deserves a bit of love. A gentle wipe with water and a soft cloth will
