Thrifty and this mattress may not seem like the same thing, but let me tell you that this mattress means I am functional after a night of camping with my scouts! So let' start with my story and review of this wonderful memory foam sleeping pad.IN THE BEGINNING
When I started camping with my son and his scout troop, I quickly discovered that I needed a good sleeping pad. Much to my mother's surprise, I actually requested a sleeping pad for my birthday. I was happy enough with my Thermarest, but quickly discovered a greater thickness would be better. I then upgraded to the REI Camp Bed 3.5 Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad. Alone that sleeping pad was good, but when I purchased the Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot to my camping gear, I slept like a queen. As any scouter will tell you, it's all about the gear. The other Assistant Scoutmasters may have been a bit jealous (or perhaps they were laughing at me behind my back) but the thing is, I was comfortable and started sleeping much better on camp outs with the air pad AND camp cot.
Sometimes I used my 3.5 inch air pad alone, and sometimes I would use it with my cot. It just depended on how I was feeling and where we were camping. As experienced scouters know though, air pads do not always offer the best insulation. Michigan winter camp outs meant my air pad was lacking a bit. If nothing else, my first true winter camp out once I reached Boy Scouts was in -25+ degree weather - Yes that IS a negative temperature and it was cold.
Certainly I could have purchased many different sleeping systems, my husband would have loved that too - Not! But I was determined to find yet another option that offered comfort and warmth.
On accident I came across this memory foam sleeping pad. At $159 it was more than I really wanted to spend. I didn't have much experience with memory foam, except for my crappy mattress and a foam topper my child had. I didn't even know another scouter who had used one. I knew though that memory foam offered exceptional warmth so I took the plunge.
The first camp out I used it on, I placed it on top of my cot. I have to say it was HEAVEN. I slept like I do at home. I had no painful pressure points and plenty of comfort and warmth. The next camp out was a fall camp out with a bit of cold, so I tried it on the ground. Again I was exceptionally comfortable. I'll admit though it was better ON the cot! I then took it on a winter camp out.
The winter camp outs did not offer exactly what I had hoped... To avoid the air beneath the mattress I placed the memory foam on top of several blankets it on the floor of my tent. I should have known I would have trouble when the first sign was that the mattress would not unroll. It was like it was frozen in place. Which it basically was. When I later crawled init was like laying on a brick too. It took some time, but eventually the foam heated up enough to leave a body impression. I will say too, that it offered exceptional warmth. It was simply not as comfortable as it was in warmer weather though.
CONTINUOUS USE
Fast forward to last summer. I was attending summer camp with the troop and we needed to use our own tents. Of course I used my cot and decided to take the memory foam sleeping pad. I was worried it may be a bit warmer than I would prefer, but in the end I slept delightfully well. I do think though, that in future summers, I would place a sheet over the mattress and use a light blanket instead of my summer sleeping bag. I was a bit too warm with the sleeping bag!
So was it worth the money? You bet. Hands down I would buy it again if needed. It has come in handy for overnight guests at home and I have even added it to the cardboard thin mattresses that are in some cabins. My son often tries to steal it from me too. I( consider it good for year-round camping use and comfort!
I know I could get something smaller but the thing is, we have room in the troop trailer so using and carrying it has never been an issue. I certainly could not use it when backpacking or lightweight camping, but for car camping or camping with the troop, it works great! Other Amazon users seem to agree too since the memory foam sleeping pad has an average 4.6 of 5 star rating.
PROS:
- Super comfortable and warm
- Easy to roll and store with integrated bedroll straps
- 3" memory foam to avoid uncomfortable pressure points
- Easy to carry handle
- Good for year-round camping use
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