How to pack sleeping pad? Packing for a backpacking trip can be quite a hassle. One of the most important things to consider is your sleeping pad, which you may or may not need depending on where you are going.
If you are camping in an area with lots of vegetation, chances are your sleeping bag will provide enough cushioning between yourself and the ground, but if it’s more desert-like terrain, then it might be worth packing a pad.
It doesn’t take up much room and is lightweight, so there isn’t any excuse not to bring one along!
How To Pack Sleeping Pad?
Packing a sleeping pad is not as hard as it may seem. They are usually light and flat, so they can be rolled up into a compact bundle that fits into the bottom of your pack easily.
There are some small tricks to making sure you get them packed right, so you don’t have to deal with them shifting around inside your pack on the trail, though! This blog post will show you how to do just that.
Here are the top 3 easy ideas on How to pack a sleeping pad:
1. The Standard Roll
The first method is the standard roll, starting at one side near the middle.
Step 1: Roll the pad up as tightly as you can.
Step 2: Take one side and fold it over half of the roll, then do the same with the other to create a rectangle shape.
Step 3: Fold this in half so now your quadruple-layered self-standing rectangle is double-layered and much smaller.
Step 4: Roll it up tightly, starting with one end.
Step 5: Wrap some sturdy cord or bungee it shut to make sure your sleeping bag stays inside!
2. The Sandwich Fold
The next method is more of a sandwich fold, starting at one corner near the middle.
Step 1: Take one corner and roll it towards the opposite side, which will create a cone shape.
Step 2: Fold this in half and roll it up as tightly as you can, with the open end on the inside of the roll. If you want extra protection for your sleeping bag or tent, fold some clothing around it and stuff it inside!
This is also a good method if you want to strap a sleeping pad to the outside of your pack.
3. The Accordion Fold
The final method is a little more advanced, but it’s easy to learn and makes for a very small package when you are rolling up.
This one starts at one corner near the middle again, only this time you will roll two opposite sides towards each other instead of just one.
Step 1: Folding the sleeping pad towards you, roll up the right side and then left until they meet in the middle.
Step 2: Fold this over on itself and repeat until all four sides are rolled and folded, and if needed, you can use clothes or gear to stuff inside of it like with the Sandwich Fold.
With just these three easy steps, you’ll be good to go when it comes time to pack your sleeping pad up.
Just choose which one is best for your situation, roll them up tightly, and throw them in the bottom of your bag; it’s that simple!
Also Read: How To Make A Sleeping Pad
How Do You Keep A Sleeping Pad Under A Sleeping Bag?
Keeping a sleeping pad under a sleeping bag can be difficult, especially if you are backpacking and the weather is unpredictable.
Our Ultralight Torsoless Sleeping Pad is perfect for this type of situation. It takes up very little room when deflated and weighs just over 1lb.
The Torsoless will not add any weight or bulk to your pack, and since there is no tubed construction, it packs down smaller.
It can be used as a sleeping pad for warmth under a sleeping bag and makes a great cushioning layer for protecting fragile items in the bottom of a backpack.
The Bottom Line
The right way to pack your sleeping pad is by first rolling it up tightly, then folding it in half lengthwise.
Place the folded end into one of the side openings of the stuff sack with the open end facing outwards and roll that opening down over the top of it so you can seal off both ends together.
Make sure there are no air bubbles inside before closing any zippers or clips on either side!
You’ve just finished your backpacking trip, and it’s time to pack up. The last item on the list is the sleeping pad that you took with you on your journey.
Here are some tips for packing a sleeping pad, so it doesn’t get damaged during transport home.
