null
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Post by null on Mar 28, 2016 3:35:24 GMT -8
Can anyone recommend an inflatable pad that's appropriate for the desert? By this I mean that it would resist puncture by cactus. I typically use a closed-cell Thermarest roll, but they're not all that comfortable.
I took an inflatable Thermarest to the desert last fall and punctured it so that it went flat (2nd one I did this to).
Thanks,
Steve
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Post by Lonewolf on Mar 28, 2016 3:46:05 GMT -8
Hate to say it but you'll probably have to double up. CCF on bottom, inflatable on top. Or just carry a patch kit.
I used a Thermarest in the Grand Canyon and other "cactusy" places through the west and haven't ever gotten a puncture so maybe a better ground cover under your tent and/or sleeping pad.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Mar 28, 2016 7:11:29 GMT -8
I've used a NeoAir XLite for a couple years in the desert with no problems. I'm reasonably careful with site selection and clearing sticks and rocks, but not obsessively so. Sooner or later it will fail, I'm sure. I've gone through a couple of the classic Thermarests and a Big Agnes IAC. I can't seem to get more than 4-5 years out of a pad.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Mar 28, 2016 7:28:53 GMT -8
I've had pretty good luck in desert conditions after a few early failures. One thing that I've changed is to always carry a groundsheet and cut it with a good buffer all around; for a 20" wide pad, my groundsheet is 35-40" wide.
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Post by dirthurts on Mar 28, 2016 7:47:23 GMT -8
If you're trying to protect a sleeping pad from punctures, aside from very careful site selection and vigilance, you're going to need something that'a actually designed to protect from punctures. Ground sheets and such will help with abrasion, but for an actual puncture you may consider a kevlar sheet (they get as light as under 3 ounces and 35 bucks on ebay) or perhaps a Thermarest Zpad to go underneath as mentioned above.
No pad is designed to avoid a puncture, that's your job.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Mar 28, 2016 8:07:28 GMT -8
NeoAir XLite for a couple years in the desert with no problems Our choice for everywhere. Just spent a week under the rim, two (2) NeoAir XLite, no punctures. Factors: - Used ground cloth
- Tent had floor
- Checked and cleared pitch area for sharp rocks, vegetation
- Meticulously removed accumulated sand, stones, vegetation from tent floor daily
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Mar 28, 2016 8:11:14 GMT -8
Should have clarified. I don't really ever use an enclosed tent in the desert, so punctures aren't coming through the floor. I'm usually cowboy camping with my pad only. In the old Thermarest foam inflatable days, I used to just put the pad directly on the ground. Now with these UL inflatables, I use a groundsheet. What I've noticed is that I find loose cacti spines on the ground, along with loose pebbles, rocks, etc. and they work their way between the groundsheet and my pad around the edges; hence the oversized groundsheet. I also like the bright white Tyvek for spotting bits and pieces that I've kicked on or blown near the pad.
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Post by ashepabst on Mar 28, 2016 10:01:57 GMT -8
may be stating the obvious here, but are you carrying your pad on the outside? before I upgraded my old school thermorest, the pad was always strapped to the outside. I never had any issues but once could imagine this to be a pad puncture waiting to happen in such a situations.
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Post by Lonewolf on Mar 28, 2016 10:17:30 GMT -8
Even with a ground cover, you're asking for holes when bivying out. One reason is even a slight breeze will blow spiky things onto the top.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Mar 28, 2016 10:25:22 GMT -8
I cowboy camp once in a while with my XLite, maybe four nights a year. I use a ground cover if I have one along, but I usually don't. More often I'm in the tent, because rain comes out of nowhere when I sleep out.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Mar 28, 2016 10:42:29 GMT -8
I would get a thin foam pad and use it under your primary pad. I don't think there is a better answer.
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mk
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Post by mk on Mar 29, 2016 7:08:38 GMT -8
this to be a pad puncture waiting to happen in such a situations. Happened to a guy in our group in the Grand Canyon - Boucher Trail. The first day. So he spent 4 nights with no pad. The patch fix didn't take, despite many attempts. My husband now carries his Thermarest inside his pack ... |
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