It’s hard to argue with this setup when taking a minimalist approach. Cost is $5 or so, or you can just steal the one outta your car since you won’t be using it there while on the trail anyway. The padding isn’t much to speak of, but the insulative value, lack of weight (uncut they’re about 5 oz) and packability are top notch. Perfect for multi-day races where minimal sleep is happening–you’re only stopped for a few hours to catch a few zzzz’s, then back on the bike and motoring along.

Inspired by MikeC, I’ve used one of these a fair bit. I’ve got a heavier one, but it’s still about 6oz… I agree with everything above. One of the great things is the durability. It’s easy to poke a hole in it, but just doesn’t matter. You don’t even need to patch it. In a worse case scenario, a new one can easily be found. Keep it simple.

Sometimes I use a sunshade, sometimes a ¾ inflatable pad. The sunshade seems to be as ‘warm’, at least during summer conditions, as the inflatable and on softer ground plenty comfortable. I just unfold it inside my bivy and supplement it with a section of foldable foam pad that I use under my shoulder for comfort, I am a side sleeper. Also I sometimes stuff the sunscreen around my 100oz bladder, the sunscreen’s insulation will keep ice in the bladder for several hours,3-6, even on a hot day. And as mentioned it’s a worry free pad, abuse it misuse it all ya want, it don’t care and is easily replaced

Picked one of these up in the “Free” bin at a garage sale the other day… Wish I could’ve found one in Lima, MT along the TD route this year. Instead I made a makeshift pad from an e-blanket and bubble wrap from the local USPS. No doubt inspired by my memory of MC’s gear. With one layer of bubble wrap, my homemade kit didn’t have nearly the r-value I’d wished for. So, I froze my ass off out on the basin and on Marshall Pass. In Platoro I acquired a blanket from the lodge that I folded up and put in my bag up on the Brazos Ridge, just behind my torso. The blanket worked perfectly and I got a good night’s rest. Ditched that at a gas station on the way to Grants, NM. It wasn’t needed out in the desert. The nights were warm enough and the sand was soft. I digress… So my question was, how does this compare now that there are so many affordable (10.00) closed cell foam pads available, like those from Gossamer Gear, etc…?