The best camping equipment for a backpack hunt in the high country

Sleeping pads

When it comes to sleeping pads, many people think of those old rolled-up pieces of blue foam. Luckily, we’re no longer stuck with only using those relics. With two common styles now dominating the market, all you really have to select are the specific features you’d like.

Self-inflating pads are, without doubt, the most popular style, and Therm-a-Rest is the brand that consistently leads the industry. Given the range of options, I suggest using the Mattress Selection Guide found on Therm-a-Rest’s website to choose the correct weight range, warmth and comfort rating for your trip. Since you’ll be in the high country during the fall when the nights get cold, your best bet is a four-season sleeping pad.

Less common is the new generation of foam pads, which have some major advantages over those old blue roll-ups. For starters, pads such as the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite (pictured) fold up like an accordion, making them much more compact and easy to strap to a backpack. They also feature heat-capturing contours to help you stay warm. Best of all, the foam can’t be punctured. All too often, a sharp rock or stick will puncture a self-inflating sleeping pad, or a seam will develop a slow leak, leaving you sleeping on the hard, cold ground for the remainder of your trip.