BACKPACKGEARTEST REPORT

Final Report for "Mt. Washington" sleeping pad

Cory Lampert

cory_crosscountry@yahoo.com <mailto:cory_crosscountry@yahoo.com>

 

Date: October 9, 2001

 

Final Report

 

 

Introduction

Over the past five months I have used the Mt. Washington sleeping pad for 19 nights in various circumstances and in a myriad of test conditions. I believe it is a solid product that will be very useful to a significant population of outdoor users.  I have detailed my personal experiences, with a focus on backpacking, in my previous reports.  At this time, I would like to offer an overview of the product with reference to the following criteria I believe all gear should be judged by (Numerical scale of 1-low and 10-high). 

 

Test Conditions

I have tested this pad in locations including, high altitude peaks in Colorado, extended backpacking trip in Montana on rocky terrain, various car-camping sites, in comfortable forested areas in CO and New Mexico.  The sites range from all rock and gravel to grassy and soft areas.  The temperatures range from 20 degrees to 80 degrees.  The weather conditions experienced were rain, snow, wind, heat, and thunderstorms.  Elevations were as low as 4000 feet and as high as 12,000 feet.  The shortest use was whiling cooking (20 minutes) and the longest was a 10-night vacation where I camped with it every night. I used it both with eggshell side up, and the reverse, deciding the former is more comfortable.  I decided securing it to the outer loops of my backpack was the best way to carry it.  I believe I would have been satisfied with the ¾ length size.

 

Safety-                                                                                    Rating               8

Are there any issues in using this product, which affect the safety of the user?

           

This product, in most circumstances, will not have an effect on the safety of the user. In mild to moderate extremes of temperature this product offers weather protection by offering insulation.  I do not think it suited to use, alone, in very extreme cold weather conditions, as it is thinner than most campers/backpackers would choose for winter camping.

 

Comfort-                                                                                 Rating               4

Is this product desirable to use in the conditions I most often encounter?

 

There is a mixed answer to this question, as I think this pad is lacking most severely in the comfort tests.  I do believe the pad is comfortable to lightweight backpackers and traditional backpackers with the luxury of careful campsite placement.  I do not think it suited to traditional backpackers who are not concerned with lightening their packs, or who will be hiking in rocky terrain.  It is not useful for car camping or camping when gear weight is irrelevant.  There is a cost in comfort for the notably light weight.

 

Quality and Durability                                                       Rating               7

Is this a well-made product that will stand the test of time and prove an economical purchase?

 

The quality of this product is good and has held up well to the many trials I have subjected it to.  The style and construction seem to be in all ways suitable.  I would highly recommend this product as a good buy for a lightweight sleeping pad, as the cost is extremely reasonable for a well-made product.  

 

Major Reasons to buy this item:

• It is very affordable and good quality
• It is extremely lightweight
• It offers very good insulation
• It is convenient to use on backpacking trips (no inflating)

 

Major Reasons to consider an alternative

• It is not a comfortable pad unless your campsite is soft
• The lightweight design may not offer enough padding to sleep well
• It is not as compact as other pads on the market

 

My Personal Overall Rating                                     Rating             6

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Cory Lampert (cory_crosscountry@yahoo.com)