Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Classic, Regular

I got this for ground sleeping in mild to cool weather when not using a hammock. Be aware of your needs as much will depend on whether you may want something different. Pros: Light weight, puncture proof(won't deflate), ok R factor for mild weather (I add this under a light weight air pad for more R factor and can even wrap it with a survival type wrap to reflect heat as needed. But this is not really a cold weather mat so be aware), quick to deploy, good price. Cons: Bulky to cary on pack, not particularly comfortable on the hard ground, but then it's not designed to be a nice plush mattress. My goal was to get something that would not deflate and would offer best R rating for this kind of mat for use in an emergency. I believe it offers me, at least, the greatest ... MoreI got this for ground sleeping in mild to cool weather when not using a hammock. Be aware of your needs as much will depend on whether you may want something different. Pros: Light weight, puncture proof(won't deflate), ok R factor for mild weather (I add this under a light weight air pad for more R factor and can even wrap it with a survival type wrap to reflect heat as needed. But this is not really a cold weather mat so be aware), quick to deploy, good price. Cons: Bulky to cary on pack, not particularly comfortable on the hard ground, but then it's not designed to be a nice plush mattress. My goal was to get something that would not deflate and would offer best R rating for this kind of mat for use in an emergency. I believe it offers me, at least, the greatest flexibility for ground sleeping in mild conditions as well as options to modify it with additional items to icnrease versatility.

I love these old school RidgeRest Classic's. I keep them in my cars, and my shed, and around the house. Any time I have to get down on my knees or look under my car or exercise on the floor / ground. They do the trick.My only disappointment is that they were only offered in the largest size when I purchased recently. For my purposes, the old medium size was perfect. I plan to cut these down but I just haven't gotten around to it.

This is my FAVORITE camping pad for backpacking. I like how I can't pop it and how it isn't slippery and how it's warm and has enough padding for backpacking. I got mine over 20 years ago & used it literally every night for years. I've also used various self-inflating mattresses which don't last long and are very slippery. I like how you can toss this pad in a briar patch or a blueberry patch or any pokey thicket and have an instant comfy place to sit. Admittedly, mine's full of holes, but it's just as comfy. I also cut the ends off one desperate day on a long dirt road in the middle of a desert when the tire on my bike trailer was so thin that it offered zero protection to the tube within. I stuffed the worn out tire with the ends of the Thermarest— no easy task— ... MoreThis is my FAVORITE camping pad for backpacking. I like how I can't pop it and how it isn't slippery and how it's warm and has enough padding for backpacking. I got mine over 20 years ago & used it literally every night for years. I've also used various self-inflating mattresses which don't last long and are very slippery. I like how you can toss this pad in a briar patch or a blueberry patch or any pokey thicket and have an instant comfy place to sit. Admittedly, mine's full of holes, but it's just as comfy. I also cut the ends off one desperate day on a long dirt road in the middle of a desert when the tire on my bike trailer was so thin that it offered zero protection to the tube within. I stuffed the worn out tire with the ends of the Thermarest— no easy task— then taped them back on the pad with ductape when I got to a place where I could get a new tube & tire. Now that I'm an old lady & I'm just car camping, I use a three-inch foam pad, but that's just not feasible for backpacking.