Ozark Trail - Closed Cell Foam Blue Camp Sleeping Pad

For absolute cheapest it’s the Walmart brand Ozark Trail closed cell pad. It’s like $15. While it’s way better than sleeping on the ground it’s often way less comfortable than an inflatable. But I also have one that is over 20 years old. In a hammock it helps me lay flat and diagonal to have the large pad and I have an old Ray Jardine frameless bag it does a great job of adding structure to.

[Ozark Trail Closed Cell Foam Blue Camp Sleeping Pad](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Closed-Cell-Foam-Blue-Camp-Sleeping-Pad/634956813)

A closed-cell blue pad is like $10 and will be much nicer much better than nothing. Edit: I'm old and they cost $15 now: https://www.walmart.com/ip/634956813?sid=bdc246fc-9354-406e-9a9b-9b9709cd2711

I’ve slept without one a few times, you’ll survive. You would be much more comfortable if you had one, though. The padding is less of an issue than the insulation, the ground can rob you of a lot of body heat. I just looked, and you can get a basic Ozark Trail sleeping pad at Walmart for $15.

Or just buy that same cheap foam Walmart accordion style pad upon arrival and forgo the inflatable. It's not a bad pad. Many people recommend CCF pads over inflatables for a variety of reasons. The major difference between the cheap Walmart Ozark Trails pad and something like the Nemo or Thermarest versions is a couple ounces and about $30. When you're done with your trip, leave it in a "hiker box" or other location frequented by other hikers - someone will pick it up and be quite happy at their find.

The Ozark Trails pad is a study in cost/benefit analysis. The full size weighs 535 grams, and as you note, cost about $25. The Nemo Switchback full size weighs 411 grams and costs about $60. But here's your cost/benefit: For \~$30 you can cut weight by 115 grams, or 3.8 grams per dollar. Is that worth it? That's up to you. Note: shorter versions of each exist, weighing and costing less, but the relative cost/benefit is similar. FWIW, the Ozark Trails is on my "[best bang for the buck](https://lighterpack.com/r/ah3y5f)" list that I provide to beginners, cost-constrained, or value-oriented inquiries.

Foam camping pads, per dollar, have better R-values (insulation rating) against cold ground compared to inflatable mattresses, and they stack linearly, meaning you can take 2 pads with an R value of 2, and stack them on top of each other to reach a level of 4. For winter camping, you want an R value of 4 or higher. The Z Lite Sol has an R Value of 2.0 and Wal Mart sells one similar by Ozark Trail for around $35. I imagine the R value is similar. I would suggest buying two of those and stacking them on top of one another.

Ozark trail one is fine. A bit firmer from my understanding, but i like that You may be able to find a zlite or switchback for cheaper on marketplace or ebay tho

Thanks! I guess one can also get those 100g by cutting a bit of width from the ozark since its wider than the counterparts?

the Walmart one is fine unless you're trying to stay away from bright colored/reflective gear in which case the original(non SOL) Z-lite is your only real option