For foam pad storage, avoid leaving heavy items on top of the pad. Also, if you store a foam pad rolled up, it may be difficult to get it to lay flat in the future, though the z-pad design prevents ...

Sleeping pads have come a long way since the ’70s, when the first self-inflating apparatus provided a more comfortable and lighter alternative to heavy foam mats. Just like tents, sleeping bags, ...

Wes Siler is your guide to leading a more exciting life in the great outdoors. As Outside’s outdoor lifestyle columnist, he writes about the intersections of science, news, politics, gear, vehicles ...

Sleeping outdoors does not need to be uncomfortable. With the right gear, and a considered approach, lying under the stars can be just as nice as staying home. And no piece of gear is more important ...

Most backpackers choose an inflatable sleeping pad as the base of their sleep system. It makes sense; they’re the most comfortable option. But don’t overlook the closed-cell foam pad so quickly. They ...