I haven’t had the best of luck with my inflatable sleeping pads holding up very well. I have a Nemo Tensor insulated and an Exped UL7 synmat. I have had issues with both, my Exped has been fixed by Exped and currently waiting for my Nemo to get fixed. Is there anything anyone does to help protect their pads? I have a footprint for my tent and also haven’t really noticed any major leaks, but my suspicion is that the rough ground eventually take its toll on the pads.

Take a cot and you will avoid the ground contact problem you identified. If basecamping, the extra weight and volume to portage is worth it for me. I use bungy cords over the foot end of the sleeping pad and circle them around the cot to hold the cot in place. Try this at home to make sure the cords of the correct length while you can still get different lengths of cord if necessary.

My experience (Nemo, thermarest) is that the ultralight pads tend to get leaks despite taking care whereas the pads from the same makers that are a little heavier (and cheaper) don’t. Specifically, Thermarest NeoAir Xlite vs Trekker and Nemo Tensor vs Cosmo. I switched over to these beefier pads a few years ago and I find them to be way more durable; never had a leak or any other problems with them. A few extra ounces/half a pound isn’t an issue for me when it comes to making sure I get a good nights sleep. I’m a fan of UL gear and the associated weight savings...but not at the expense of a good night’s sleep.

I took a foam pad from Walmart, cut it to fit my torso and part of my thighs, then shoved it between the pack and the pack liner. It curls around the bottom a bit, but it helps my pack hold it's shape, and protects my Exped sleeping pad. As a bonus it is also a backup sleeping pad incase my Exped does fail.

The other thing I do to protect my pad is to never fill it up all the way. It is more comfortable and easier on the pad to not lie on a fully inflated pad. I also never sit on mine if I can help it.

I don't do anything extra to protect my pad.

boonie: "I don't do anything extra to protect my pad. "

I don't either, and I'm trying to figure out how the sleeping pads can get damaged inside the tent. Stepping on them? Even that would take repetitive actions for it to harm the pad.

I own two Exped UL7 pads and have never had an issue. Not sure what to tell you. Some people are just harder on gear or they're just unlucky.

I have a lot of nights (8 years old, maybe?) on my Neoair XTherm, zero issues.

Other than it being too warm in the high summer.

A problem with light inflatable pads is that they develop micro leaks, which are difficult to locate in the field. I had this issue with classic Thermarest light 20 years ago and had the same with newer Neoair Xtherm (I myself could be partially a culprit here, weighing north of 200 lbs). In my opinion these holes are result of abrasion on sand-size particles and what-not inside the tent, not the rough ground underneath. If you keep a waterproof plastic sheet inside the tent it's easy to dump it out before going to sleep. Also, making a basic rectangular case out of a bed sheet solves the problem.

Jackfish: "I don't either, and I'm trying to figure out how the sleeping pads can get damaged inside the tent. "

Obviously you don't travel with kids :)

EddyTurn: "

Jackfish: "I don't either, and I'm trying to figure out how the sleeping pads can get damaged inside the tent. "

Obviously you don't travel with kids :)"

+1

No wrestling matches inside the tent.

Another closed cell pad also user here. Just the thin old style you used to sleep on in your 20's :) Probably only about an 1/8" thick. Use them to give shape to one of my larger packs, and protect the contents and my back portaging, during the day. Adds very little weight. At night under the air pads. Adds extra R of insulation too. Keep an eye out and can still find them for cheap.

bwcadan: "Take a cot and you will avoid the ground contact problem you identified. If basecamping, the extra weight and volume to portage is worth it for me. I use bungy cords over the foot end of the sleeping pad and circle them around the cot to hold the cot in place. Try this at home to make sure the cords of the correct length while you can still get different lengths of cord if necessary."

+1 to this! Just getting a few inches up off the ground makes a world of difference saving wear and tear on your sleeping pad but most importantly your body! I've seen some scary prices for a good low cot but there are plenty of affordable choices out there. I found this cot at Home Depot (of all places!) and while it's not the fanciest, highest quality cot out there, it was sturdy enough and worked great for me. Weighs just five pounds and was less than eighty bucks.

Never use an inflatable pad for padding in a pack. Don't fold a pad in half before rolling, even if it came that way. That fold is often where leaks develop. Find a sac long enough to hold the unfolded pad. I save my old tent sacs and always have a longer sac on hand. My solution is to have a pretty large stuff sac for my sleeping bag. The deflated and rolled pad is put in the sac first and then pushed out against the sac with the sleeping bag stuffed in the middle. I usually have room for the clothes I sleep in and the book I read before sleep. When rolling the pad I make sure to brush off any debris as I roll. I've got an old thermarest ProLite that has lasted hundreds of nights without fail.

I totally agree about the fragility of ultralite pads, especially if you are a heavyweight person like me. For ultralite pads I think 200# is too heavy.

Knock on wood, we've never had leak issues w/ thermarest but do nothing to "protect" them other than having ground cover under tent

sedges: "Never use an inflatable pad for padding in a pack."

The pad I use and recommended for padding in a pack is a closed cell foam pad. The cheap and light ones from Walmart is what I use. Never an inflatable. The idea is to protect pad and maybe my hip too since I'm a side sleeper. I really think over inflating is a big factor, more than folding. Back sleepers should watch out for this and those who like firm mattresses.

Definitely try to keep dirt and debris to a minimum inside tent, and never lay on bare ground. I haven't had an air pad leak or fail in the last 30 years, knock on wood, and they have been lightweights for the last 20 or so. It is one of my biggest fears, it could really ruin a trip.

I have a large Klymit insulated Static V and I use a Quilt. I don't like to lay directly on the pad material. It can be uncomfortable and it absorbs sweat odors.

I place the pad in sleeping bag liner. I also use a tent footprint and I put plastic sheet inside the tent. Two is one and one is none.

Wharfrat

I use Exped pads and have had two of them fail (blown baffles, not leaks) and Exped replaced both quickly and without question. There are many more options for pads with high R-values than there use to be, buying a brand with excellent customer service is the way to go.

We bring an old bed sheet to lay down below the mats, only to stop the rubber squeaking sounds but I guess it does provide some abrasion protection. Always bring a couple of patches and some silicone to get you through any bad luck.

A cot on it's own is a good suggestion for warmer temps but if it's chilly/cold you'll still want a pad on top to insulate you.

I've used my old pro lite Thermarest for years with zero issues. However, I have full length, heavier Thermarest pads that have developed leaks from thorns while camping in our tipi at Texas black powder rendezvous. I might add, all I use for protection under the pad, in the north country, is thin plastic window film inside my ultralight tent.

Use your gear. Take care of your gear with reasonable effort, but use it. Be ready for field repairs... part of the outdoor experience.

Bring a patch kit.

plander: "My experience (Nemo, thermarest) is that the ultralight pads tend to get leaks despite taking care whereas the pads from the same makers that are a little heavier (and cheaper) don’t. Specifically, Thermarest NeoAir Xlite vs Trekker and Nemo Tensor vs Cosmo. I switched over to these beefier pads a few years ago and I find them to be way more durable; never had a leak or any other problems with them. A few extra ounces/half a pound isn’t an issue for me when it comes to making sure I get a good nights sleep. I’m a fan of UL gear and the associated weight savings...but not at the expense of a good night’s sleep. "

+1 - My experience also. I don't use the ultra lite pads and have never had any problems unlike some of my tripping partners.