Irrespective of whether I’m carrying an inflatable or closed cell foam model, the one constant in my choice of sleeping pads over the years, has been that I always use mats that are no more than 3/4 length.
Mike “The Gambler” Towne – Fellow 3/4 mat user and trekking partner on the Hayduke section of the Southwestern Horseshoe (photo taken in a cave just north of Youngs Canyon, UT).
There are three reasons behind this decision:
1. Weight saving.
2. It uses up less space in my pack.
3. On-trail health.
The first two points are self explanatory. In regards to the third, the details go something like this………
I sleep with my feet on top of my backpack, which is filled with food bags and/or gear not being employed at night. Such a system aids in reducing swelling in the lower extremities after a long day on the trail, as my pack is usually slightly higher than my sleeping mat.
“Isn’t that uncomfortable?”
Personally speaking, no, though I recognise it’s a system that doesn’t work for everyone.
In my own case, I’ve always enjoyed sleeping with my feet slightly elevated. Before drifting off to the land of Nod, I try to make sure that the items inside the pack are evenly distributed, with nothing hard edged or pointy (e.g. food hydrating container or stove) directly against where I’m resting my feet/lower legs.
“Does it really make that much of a difference?”
Weight-wise, I guess we’re talking a saving of three to six ounces. In regards to on-trail health, I suspect that the discrepancy is not significant, however, it’s often small things combined with other elements in your backcountry routine (e.g. in this case daily stretching, eating well, pacing oneself, etc) that end up collectively making a big difference.
Bonus Benefits
In my experience, 3/4 length mats are better for going down waterfalls, as there is less material to snag and/or flop around:
Yours truly on a Thermarest Ridgerest | Taracuera Canyon, Copper Canyon Region, Mexico, 1999.
And also superior to their full-length cousins for paddling across frigid channels, as they are significantly easier to maneuver.
Thermarest Neoair & HMG 2400 Southwest pack; post-Davey River crossing | Southwest Tasmania Traverse, 2016.
Note: Just to be clear, in regards to the bonus benefits, The Hiking Life team strongly advise against using an inflatable mat to go down waterfalls and a closed cell model to cross large watercourses. Horses for courses, people, horses for courses. 😉
Hi Cam – you recently gave me some great advice about using a sleep pad as a frame for my MLD Prophet. This article is a helpful and timely follow-up,thanks for posting! Do you find 3/4 pads warm enough in colder conditions?
Hi Peter,
I still use a 3/4 length inflatable pad when temps are well below freezing, though I usually combine it with a longer closed cell foam model for extra insulation.
Cheers,
Cam
Hey Denny,
The thickness will depend on how cold it is. If it’s well below freezing I’ll double up my NeoAir with a Ridgerest (full length or maybe cut down just a little). This ups the overall R-Value to about 6, and together they weigh around 17 oz.
If the temps aren’t that cold, I’ll go with a thinner model (e.g. Gossamer Gear Thinlight 1/8 or equivalent) that generally weigh around 2.5 to 3.5 oz.
Cheers,
Cam
Hey Cam,
When you throw your pack under your legs, do you have the hip-belt-side of the pack closer to your sleeping pad or to your feet? And do you buckle the hip-belt so the hip-belt straps stay together? Or let them splay outward?
Also – what exactly do you put in your pack other than your food, first aid kit, repair kit, etc? Do you throw your shoes and water bottles in their as well? I’m just curious because when you only bring a minimum amount of gear it seems like there just isn’t much left over to shove in the pack at night ?
I am deciding between the short and long pad and am trying to decide if the short is going to work for me or not.
I recall you mentioning in a previous post you are a back-sleeper. Are you a pretty stationary sleeper overall? I.e. you don’t toss and turn much?
For someone who tosses and turns a lot in their sleep, do you think the 3/4 is still a feasible option?
As always, thanks for the great info!
Cheers,
Kevin
Hey Kevin,
I’m currently on holiday so i’ll have to keep it brief:
1. I have the hip belt side facing up usually.
2. Only put shoes in pack if they are wet and its going to be below freezing. I leave the water bottles out as well.
3. I’m a side sleeper. I wouldn’t recommend a short model for back or front sleepers that like to stretch out.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Cam
I think it would be good if you add “I’m a side sleeper. I wouldn’t recommend a short model for back or front sleepers that like to stretch out.” to the article itself.