ALPS Mountaineering Comfort Series Air Pad

The ALPS Mountaineering Comfort Series Air Pad - Long 25" x 77" x 2" (4 lbs. 6 oz.) is awesome, a little bulky and heavy if you plan on using this for backpacking but perfect for general camping, my son and I used them camping with the scouts. We backpacked in to our site. All the other folks pulled out their air mattresses, batteries and inflators, sounded like a cleaning lady was going nuts with a vacuum ha ha it was too funny It comes in a real nice stuffsack with a repair kit and two elastic straps, it rolls up very easily and fits the stuff sack nicely. The pad has a nice non-slip bottom that grip well on tent floors, gym floors and wood bunks, the top has a nice brushed surface that is even comfortable without a sleeping bag. The valve is solid and it does inflate fast and is easy to use. On our first trip with the pads, Stephen and myself set up camp, laid out our pads, setup everything else and about 30 minutes later, blew a couple puffs of air into the pad and we were set, pretty much everyone that seen them want to get them as well. I highly recommend these pads for camping above 40°. Update 10/16/2013 Still going strong after 7 trips out, sleeping on this is very comfortable, I am 5'9, 210 lbs and toss and turn a bit, especially the first night, laying on your side with this is no problem, but you need to make sure you inflate it a good bit. A few weeks ago we camped at a Scout Reservation on wooden platforms and I had no problem laying on my side, they inflate fairly easy, but one suggestion is to setup your tent, open the valve, unravel and position the pad so the curl is down, come back to the pad later and inflate before going to bed. Cold Weather Camping, I used the ALPS with a roll of reflectix underneath during a backpack camping trip on the Pinchot Trail in March. The temp dropped into the mid teens and the wind was really kicking up, shaking the tent like crazy. Chill factor was around -5°F. This pad wasn't quite warm enough for the Pinchot Trip, but I managed. As I said before this is a bit bulky and at 4.6lbs a little bit on the heavy side for backpacking, For Backpacking I purchased a Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus the large is the same size (tapered bottom, rounded top) but a little thinner and a savings weight of, nearly 3.5 lbs. Comparing this to my Thermarest is not fair, each has its own strength and weaknesses, the Thermarest is more comfortable for cold weather camping but the ALPS is a bit better for warmer weather. If you plan on General camping and weight and size is not an issue, buy the ALPS Long... it can't be beat for the price, If you are into backpacking and looking for something comparable in comfort but with reduced bulk and weight (at a cost), look into the Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus Comfort - Perfect Weather - Warmer weather, above 40° Weight - General Camping, too heavy for Backpacking but Do-able Pack size - General Camping, too heavy for Backpacking but Do-able Price - Perfect Tip: inflate for storage and roll up a few days before your camping trip, this will help with deploying the bag when setting up at camp.

This product is exquisite. I had been using an old, generic "self-inflating" sleeping pad for many years. I suppose I had gotten used to its odd, triple section design despite the fact that each section differed in pressure every time. Regardless of the many stern talking to's and me gingerly supplying additional zephyrs into said sections, a mutual respect was never garnered. Both literally and figuratively, we two reluctant bedfellows went on as usual for many seasons. Every time after a camp when I would roll it up and relieve the pressure within it, I could swear there was sinister laughter escaping from its valves. No longer willing to be a glutton for punishment, I decided to make a change. Through extensive research and cross-examination (using an info-portal known as Gaggler, I believe), I came across the ALPS Mountaineering Comfort Se...it's written above so I shan't waste precious vowels and/or consonants. Anyway, I came across this Rectangle of Glory and was immediately intrigued by its pronounced stature. Hastily navigating through the banal minutia of sales pitches and specifications and looked for the cold, hard facts of whether this was a legitimate option or yet another gimmicky impostor. I'm here to say that the AMCSAP-L is the proverbial Bee's Knees. The top, suede-ish fabric is very soft and comfortable (notice the "Comfort" portion of the above designation; nailed it) and the underside material really does stay stationary under pressure. Speaking of pressure, I should touch on the weight threshold of this Polygon of Pleasure. I happen to be a male-gendered, human individual with dimensions of 6'1'' tall and 245 lbs in girth. Colloquially known as a "Rotund, Fatty Lard-Pudge" by those closest to me. This pad cushions my mass without a hint of strain. It truly self-inflates without needing assistance from your lungulars and its low profile, closed-cell foam innards insulate and reflect your body heat quite well. Any modest, organic or synthetic objects that might happen to rest underneath the placement of the pad can seldom be noticed. Objects such as a large rock or perhaps another person would, in fact, be noticeable so it does have its limits. The inflation and deflation periods are both quite prompt. If you expect instantaneous results you should wise up to science and then go away. The rolling and storage is also quite prompt and non-strenuous. The melody that escapes the air valve on this particular pad is something reminiscent of "I Got You, Babe" by Sonny and Cher. A very high quality item that will withstand many uses as long as the owner isn't an ignoramus and takes proper care of his/her possessions. Example: Do NOT attempt to re-create the daring, inflatable raft escape scene from "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" with this pad. It will not go well. All in all, If you value a solid, comfortable sleeping pad that will outdo even the most prestigious of Therm-A-Rest pads, this should make your short list. If you do not, I pity you and hope you enjoy your eventual Forrest Gump spine. I sincerely hope this review will aid in the decision process for many fellow Use Precious Vacation Days to Voluntarily Expose Yourself to the Elements for an Elongated Period of Time enthusiasts (UPVDVEYEEPT-ing to us pros). So, for now, I bid you adieu.

I purchased 2 XL pads and 1 regular pad for camping. The XL pads are 3" and nicely sized for a full size adult. I just got back from 2 days of camping where the temps were below 40 each night. The pads were comfy and kept us warm from the cold ground. I bought the regular pad for my 6 year old which at 2" inflated is ok for a child. The width on the regular pad is so small I can't imagine anyone but a child using this pad. Even an older child may find this pad too small. It does pack well and is 1/3 the size of the XL pad rolled up. A couple of points I'd like to make from reading other reviews of these. -The first inflation does take some time. Alps recommends allowing the pad to inflate on its own for 30-minutes the first time. Then blow air into it manually to fully inflate, close the valves and let it sit that way over night. Subsequent inflates/deflates should occur naturally on its own. -The instructions/ warranty info is in the inside pocket in the stuff sack with the repair kit. -The pads are meant to be stored fully inflated with the valves open, NOT rolled in the stuff sack. The instructions clearly point this out. If you store these pads rolled, the foam will compress and may not reach full thickness the next time it's unrolled/ inflated. I researched many options for camping bedding including air beds, open celled foam, closed cell foam. These pads seem the be the best of all worlds providing comfortable thickness, portability, and protection from temperature transfer from the ground.

This is a good nights sleep. If you are like me, than you have been annoyed more than once camping or sleeping on a blow up mattress that deflates and provides no support because it leaks after the 2nd or third use. I really wanted something that was built to last and provide a good nights sleep. i have spent well over a couple hundred bucks on all the blow up mattresses i have had over the past decade or so, why didn't i buy this sooner? Well if your like me you probably have a significant other, and you like them to be happy, so you wont get complaints while trying to enjoy a trip out doors. Well yes a blow up will have you up off the ground a little higher so if any bugs make their way in your tent, it will be harder to "reach" you... but your camping and you already were nice enough to bring a battery powered fan. Needless to say she was skeptical, that a self inflating mat could be more comfortable than a cloud of air blow up mattress. Needless to say we woke up the next morning, and i got this response from my significant other, "holy crap that was comfortable, I dont think i woke up at all last night." boom sold, now really have a "happy camper" and i can plan more trips to the great outdoors. tips for the XXL Pad: -Please note if you are not a decent size person you may have problems rolling up this pad. Just go to ALPS Mountaineering website and they will show you the best way to roll this pad up. To roll it up, open both valves at the feet portion of the pad, then with both hands rolling the center of the pad where the raised pillow portion is and get a decent first fold there in the middle and put a knee on that center of the pad. then just outside this center crease you can start rolling it tight with your hands. once you get that first layer of roll its much easier, but still keep your knee compressing the center section as you go. -you do not need extra blows to add to the inflation. Just open the values after you have placed your pad where you want it to roll out, get your other camping gear from the car and in four mins close the valves. It gets the perfect self inflating firmness. My opinion. -if you like a slightly plusher sleep, like my girlfriend, just keep one valve and leave it open as you sleep. -the pillow raised portion at the top does add 1/2-3/4 of an inch extra for head support, which is great if you don't want to bring a super large pillow. Likes: -seems like it is built very well -the suede top kept me from sweating while i slept, vs when i sleep directly on plastic blow ups -super comfortable -packs relatively small vs the size of mat it creates I really don't dislike anything so far, it doesn't leak after over a week of sleeping on it total, its feels like you get your moneys worth for the product (the carrying bag and repair kit are cool to have included), and it makes for a great nights sleep.

This product is better than I expected. I ordered the Long comfort series and it is as long as my queen size bed which is awesome. I am 5'8" and this pad is the perfect size, plenty room for me to move around in. I haven't took this out to camping yet but I've laid and messed around in it in my room and man is it comfy. I hate air beds because theres no stability and it feels like your being sucked in. But with this air pad it feels great. Awesome purchase no regrets yet. Lets see how it performs when I take it next week with me to camping. I'll probably update this review when I get back. Wish me luck. *Updating after Camping* I was out in the stanislaus national forest for 3 days and 2 night. My friend had a air bed which had a leak and couldn't be determined where it was coming from so he had it constantly pumped throughout the morning. My other friend who also had a air bed ran out of batteries for his little air blower and he had to do it physically. But me? I had my little secret inside my tent hehe which kept me comfortable after a long day of hiking. I must say this air bed is very durable. The material this thing is made out of will not disappoint you. The non-slip dots under the sleeping pad kept me from sliding while I slept on a slight slope (I put my sleeping bag on top of the air pad.) Overall this beats any air mattress but since this is my first sleeping pad I wouldn't know if it is better than any other pads out there. But if you want a quality sleeping pad that will keep you warm and comfortable throughout the entire night this one is for you. I recommend the long size because of the extra inches of width it gives you, you can roll around in it without your elbow touching the ground. Almost forgot, I am a side sleeper and I did not feel the ground at all while I was on it for those 2 nights. P.S. I am 5'8" weighing 150 pounds just incase you guys were wondering. Can't wait to use it again next year!

***Update 05/29/2013*** Used the pad for outdoor sleeping in NH about 3 weeks ago. Temp dropped down to low 30's overnight. The pad provided a soft platform that was a great cold barrier. Still love it. I will reiterate that the sueded top picks up debris like crazy, but it's not a major deal. ***Update 09/17/2012*** Just got back from a 3 day camping trip to Western MA and was very pleased with the performance. It was warm enough that I slept on the bare pad and used my sleeping bag as a blanket - the sueded top makes sleeping on the pad VERY comfortable - not sticky or slippery at all. Very pleased with the performance. I have a couple more trips in colder weather coming up and will update after those trips. I have several Alps Mountaineering pads that my family and I use for car camping. We used to use an air mattress, but the durability of the mattresses left a lot to be desired. These self inflating pads are great - they provide a nice amount of padding without taking up a lot of tent space. The important thing to remember with these pads is you have to blow into the valve to top off the air once it has unfolded. Because this is a particularly large pad, I found it took quite a bit of additional inflation to get it topped off, but once I did, it was incredibly comfortable. The manufacturer (as well as other reviewers) say it takes less topping off as time goes on. In retrospect, I would have purchased this in place of my air mattress, cot AND cot pad, saving myself a good $300.00. Here's the pro/con rundown: Pros: VERY comfortable once fully inflated. Sueded top and internal pillow is a nice touch - prevents slipping off. "dotted" underside minimizes sliding on tent floor. Excellent moisture and cold barrier. Takes up much less headroom in tent than full size air mattress Much easier to get in and out of tent than air mattress Rolls up reasonably compactly for car camping Cons: Too large and /or heavy for any kind of camping other than car camping The comfy sueded top is a magnet for all kinds of debris. Takes a pretty good lungful to get the mattress fully inflated (at least out of the box) It takes some muscle to roll the pad up when you're packing it up. You'll never get it back if you lend it to your neighbor/spouse/brother/sister/dad/mom/etc. Overall It's a great value for a comfy night's rest.

I cannot speak from previous experience, as I purchased these for my very first camping trip, but I knew going in that (i) I did not want a huge air bed in the tent and (ii) I did not want to have to re-inflate anything during the middle of the night. Therefore, after researching many other products, I decided on purchasing the "extra large" version of Alps Mountaineering Comfort Series Air Pad. Since my purchase we have gone camping five times for two to three days each trip and we've had a great night's rest each time. These pads are amazing! They're nice a wide and the 3" inch air/foam core is a nice recipe for a good night's sleep! The pros are many: very comfortable, they're wide, so you're whole body is on the pad and portions of you are not hanging over, perfect size for our 3-person tent, the self-inflation is fantastic, and did I mention how comfortable they are, easy storage, come with a stuff sack and a repair kit (that we haven't needed). The "cons" are few: after the pads self inflate, you may need to give it four or five puffs of air to get it nice and firm (but it doesn't lose any air!), rolling them up isn't hard, but it does take a couple minutes to get all the air out and the microfiber cover does tend to attract a little bit dirt or leaves that you treck in from the outside (but it cleans easily).

Bought this and one of the same size in 'lightweight' series. I'm used to foam padding which is much lighter but not as insulating. This air pad is not only overly comfortable but insulating because it's two inches thick when completely [self]-inflated. It inflates and deflates quickly. The suede like fabric on top is very soft but attracts dust/lint but not a deal breaker in any way as it can be easily cleaned. The best part is the rubberized 'pp dots' under the pad which stops the air pad from moving and paired with the suede top, it will make sure that your pad and your sleeping bag don't end up slipping a mile away where you slept. It does not make any noise when twisting and turning which was not the case with the 'lightweight' series that has ripstop fabric on top and similar fabric on the bottom causing it to slip and make that plastic noise. This air pad comes with a nice little repair kit, storage cover and an elastic band. As mentioned earlier, it is two inches thick which is ultra comfortable but I unscrewed the nozzle and let the air out while lying on it and was surprised that even with 210 pounds on it, it was still an inch thick and very comfortable to sleep on. It means that even if it gets damaged on a trip, it will still perform very well. The only negative feeling I had about this product (which does not even reflect in # of stars I gave) is that it is on the heavier side. I mean it would be awesome if it was the same weight as my foam pad but after trying this I'm willing to haul that 'extra' weight. My advice is to hold something that weighs the same as this pad (about 4 pounds) and get an idea before placing the order. And unless you are planning to pack really really light, there is NO other reason for you to not buy this. It is so good that I have decided to keep the second air pad which I accidentally ordered and was planning to return upon receipt. As for the 'lightweight' series airpad, it's going back to Amazon as well. Also make sure that you let if self inflate and keep it like that for some time then close the nozzle and walk or roll over it then open the nozzle again, this will sort of 'break in' the pad and help it properly self inflate the next time.

this product is too good. Im very satisfied with the material used. its big enough for one person,thickness is satisfieble. overall its the best.

I really like this sleep pad. The outer finish of the surface is nice it's like a soft brushed suede. I particularly wanted to try this one based upon the Alps Mountaineering name and due to the brass finishings. I chose the XL in order to have the 3 inches of thickness. Every aspect of setting up the pad was easy and pleasing. I slept very comfortably directly on the pad as that's how I wanted to test it. Getting up in the morning was easy, no aches or pains, just up and at it.... I'm not 20 something anymore lol, that's pretty distant in fact. I feel after seeing, handling and using this product that I can expect that it will have great durability and I can expect to enjoy it for years to come. I've spent extensive hours scrutinizing various sleep pads...this one is great provided that you aren't requiring something that can be compressed to the size of a loaf of bread and weighs in at under 2 lbs. It also comes with a nice carry bag that is easily slips into.

Excelente calidad y material, además de muy practico. Llego antes de los esperado

I bought the ALPS comfort series self-inflating air pad, long version after reading favourable reviews, and because it was substantially cheaper than the Thermarest equivalent. But I had the loan of a Thermarest Luxury MAP at the same time, so could compare the two, night and night about. I wasn't camping - instead, I was sleeping on a smooth wooden floor, inside. The ALPS and the Thermarest are both 25 inches wide. Being constrained by the sleeping bag I was using, this narrowness didn't seem to matter. The ALPS is only 2 inches thick when inflated, while the Thermarest is 3 inches thick. At first, I felt I'd bought too thin a pad in the ALPS. But in fact, I slept just as well on the thinner ALPS as on the Thermarest. The ALPS is slightly firmer in sleeping quality, but there's not so much of a difference as to make it inferior. Overall, I am fully satisfied with the ALPS Comfort Series Air Pad, Long.

Resistente y cómodo, ocupa algo de espacio pero en general es buen colchón