Sleeping Pad

Make sure you have a sleeping pad. Philmont is located in the Rocky Mountains. There is a reason the Rocky Mountains are called that, it’s because they are rocky. A sleeping pad will not only cushion you from ground and rocks beneath you, it will also provide you with insulation from the cold ground beneath you. There are two types of sleeping pads, foam pads and inflatable sleeping pads.

Closed Cell

sleeping pads are tough, durable and will not break or pop. They are extremely affordable. Usually they are strapped onto the outside of a pack because they do not collapse. Don’t worry though, these foam pads are light weight so you won’t feel anything. Because closed cell pads are made of foam, you can cut your pad into whatever shape you desire and leave the excess at home.

Inflatable

sleeping pads are a little more expensive, but are well worth the price. They provide anywhere from 1 to 4 inches of air cushioning between you and the ground so that you won’t feel anything under you. Always protect your inflatable sleeping pad from sharp objects as even the smallest hole will stop it from working. If you do get a hole you can use a Field Repair Kit to fix the problem within a few hours. Inflatable sleeping pads will compress down to almost nothing. You need to pack yours on the inside of your pack so that it is protected from anything that may damage it.