Mountain Project Logo

Sleeping on a Crash Pad

Original Post
jhn payne · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 46

Being a somewhat older climber I find that I don't sleep as well as I used to, need that home mattress for a good night. So I've been noticing that several climbers sleep on their pad, so do you, and what brand sleeps the best. I've used Thermarest for years, but the narrowness has me rolling off them.

PiotrB · · Valencia, Spain · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 40

When You will be checking out PADs keep in mind that sometimes one side is more soft then the other! ;)

Erboutitman · · farmingdale ny · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 5

buy a mad rock tri fold... its kinda shit in the scheme of pads but for sleeping you cant beat it. 6 feet long 4 feet wide

J. Broussard · · CordryCorner · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 50
Erboutitman wrote:buy a mad rock tri fold... its kinda shit in the scheme of pads but for sleeping you cant beat it. 6 feet long 4 feet wide
+1
I have a Metolius that's the same size and the wife & I sleep like babies on that thing.
Keny Glasscock · · Salt Lake City · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 95

I've slept in worst places, for sure.

FreeRangeHuman · · safari van · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 0

Crashpads are extremely hard. (Even on the soft side) you should definitely try before you buy. I've got an older metolious triple that is pretty nice. But a friend tried the mad rock for sleeping and hated it. Also remember that the only way to get girls in your van is memory foam!

Darren S · · Minneapolis, MN · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 3,388
cabelas pad or
exped mat

I would recommend a dedicated sleeping pad like either of these. I use the cabela's, it is warm (unlike most air mattresses) and comfortable. I have a friend that uses the exped and he likes it. Crash pads should be stiff for landing from up high. I have an older crash pad that is soft as a mattress now, and it hurts to land on. So buy a crash pad for bouldering, and a sleeping pad for sleeping.
Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945

I've got two older misty mountains that the foam has gotten soft on. We flip them soft side up and sleep on them everywhere we car camp. Super comfy.

jhn payne · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 46
FreeRangeHuman wrote:Crashpads are extremely hard. (Even on the soft side) you should definitely try before you buy. I've got an older metolious triple that is pretty nice. But a friend tried the mad rock for sleeping and hated it. Also remember that the only way to get girls in your van is memory foam!
Well at this stage I'm more concerned with a good nights sleep than impressing women, but a friend just gave me a piece of memory foam which I admit would no doubt give a good sleep but its heavy and too bulky for serious road tripping unless one had a topper which I do not. Good suggestions keep them coming.
A.Javi.Gecko · · San Diego, CA · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 55

I WISH I could remember the brand but I once saw a folding crash that could be unzipped and then rezipped together with both halves facing longways so that it would actually make a full-length bed. Idunno about that pad's foam quality but if you're looking for a simple pad/bed it could be worth more research.

A.Javi.Gecko · · San Diego, CA · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 55

I WISH I could remember the brand but I once saw a folding crash that could be unzipped and then rezipped together with both halves facing longways so that it would actually make a full-length bed. Idunno about that pad's foam quality but if you're looking for a simple pad/bed it could be worth more research.

camhead · · Vandalia, Appalachia · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 1,240

As an approaching-middle-age climber with back and sleep issues, my standard setup is boulder pads with a thermarest on top of them. Two standard Misty 3x4 foot pads fit like a glove into my truck's platform bed.

Will S · · Joshua Tree · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 1,061

Crash pads (any of them worth actually falling onto) are too stiff for sleeping, and I say that as someone who prefers very firm mattresses.

I'd say look at the "basecamp" or whatever it's called thermarest and its direct competitors. Basically a wider, much thicker version of a regular thermarest. However, I've found once you get to the actual airmattress style things like a Coleman or something, they suck because you can't get them firm enough (even viagra don't help) and they're cold.

Personally, I run 8" of memory foam in the back of a station wagon.

Tristan Burnham · · La Crescenta, CA · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 2,176

I just saw this in a mag.
asanaclimbing.com/proSpotte…

It looks so legit as an extra pad and for sleeping on.

generationfourth · · Irvine, CA · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 10

Why not buy a better sleeping pad? as in one made for sleeping on...

A bouldering pad that would be good for bouldering would be too stiff to sleep on. One that is soft enough to sleep on wouldn't be good for bouldering. Not to mention the cost.

Try this at REI... 2.5 camp bed Anyone I know that's tried mine went out and bought one for car camping. It doesn't feel like air... more like gel.

Matt N · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 415

Alps Comfort Series XL size pad - best sleep I get when camping. Snagged one at 70% off last year. Might find them $60-70 on sale currently. Also gets used by house guests.

Specs:

Comfort Series Air Pad X-Long, Moss

When you’re away from home and want some added comfort to your cot or sleeping bag, try an ALPS self inflating air pad. With the comfort series, the pad will inflate and deflate quickly with the jet stream wave foam and roll up compactly to fit into the stuff sack. The top is a comfortable, brushed Suede-like fabric with Anti-Slip Dots on the bottom to keep you from sliding around. The Comfort Series also features brass non-corrosive valves for maximum durability...2 valves on this size for faster inflating! Another benefit of adding an air pad is that it will help keep you warmer…essential to a well rested night. The XL size is perfect for luxury camping and when space and weight aren’t as crucial…even works great when you have guests over and don’t have a spare bed!

A FREE stuff sack, compression straps, and repair kit are included with every pad ... something many other companies make you pay extra for.

Features:

- Extra Thick 3” Foam
- Thicker Pillow Section for Extra Comfort
- 2 Valves … Faster Inflating
- Jet Stream Wave Foam
- Faster Inflating and Deflating
- Extra Comfort and Less Sliding
- PVC Dots Slide Less on Tent Floor
- Long-term Durability
- Stuff Sack and Repair Kit Included!

Specifications:

- Size: 30” x 77” x 3”
- Weight: 7 lb. 3 oz.
- Stuff Sack Size: 8” x 31”
- Top Fabric: Brushed Suede-like
- Top Fabric Color: Moss Green
- Bottom Fabric: Anti-Slip “PVC” Dots
- Bottom Fabric Color: Black
- Valves: Non-corrosive Brass
- General Use: Luxury Camping

amazon.com/ALPS-Mountaineer…

Gotta get the XL for the thick pillow section and 30" width.

robbo393 · · Flagtown, AZ · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 0

If you're at all looking into a new sleeping system... Big Agnes has an integrated sleeping pad sleeve in their bags which keep the bag and pad together as one unit. I used to roll off my pad all night and now I can do barrel rolls in my bag no problem. Definitely worth the money if you looking into more of a dedicated sleeping system. Also packs down to nothing for that road tripping.

bigagnes.com/

John D · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 10

I had a similar debate a while back, I decided to get the Thermarest Dreamtime XL it's pricey, but I sleep better on it than I do on my serta mattress. It's half of a queen bed, with a nice thick thermarest and some open cell foam on top. It's also easier to transport than a crash pad cause it rolls up much smaller than a crash pad does.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "Sleeping on a Crash Pad"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.