Camping is a popular recreational activity, not just in the US but across the globe, combining exercise, sightseeing and travel. It can be as involved or as simple as you want it to be, from backyard camping with the family on a warm summer evening to week-long excursions across rivers and mountains in freezing temperatures. But no matter the degree of difficulty you choose to take on, the one similarity across almost every type of camping is sleeping. Wherever you camp, you won’t be sleeping in your own bed that night, which can be an issue for many people. The ground is cold, hard and uneven, with a sleeping bag by itself rarely sufficient to keep someone comfortable enough to sleep through the night. Fortunately, for the 99 percent of people who don’t get their best night’s sleep atop sticks and stones, Foam Factory, Inc. has a range of camping foam and closed-cell pads able to be cut into mats for any kind of adventure.

Open-Cell Foam Camping Pad

Foam is a superb camping pad material for many reasons. The structure of closed-cell foam is resistant to water, with moisture unable to travel through the self-contained cells. Open-cell foam camping pads meanwhile, are cushioning and comfortable. The individual cells in the foam materials also provide insulating properties, not allowing the cold ground to pull heat away from the camper. Insulating foam camping pads are easily rolled and stored, compressible enough to fit in a pack or light enough to be strapped to the exterior. A camp pad is very lightweight, an important consideration for individuals who keep track of every ounce they pack. An outdoor foam pad is also much less expensive than inflatable or hybrid pads.

Foam Factory manufactures foam forms specifically for use as camping sleeping pads. Pads are cut to 1 inch thicknesses for a blend of support, insulation and comfort without being too bulky or heavy. These open-cell pads provide warm foam on the interior sleeping surface. Along with their space-saving standard size, 26 inches by 72 inches by 1 inch, traditional bed sizes of Twin, Full, Queen and King are also offered in 1 inch thicknesses for campers not quite as as concerned with space. These pads are also easily stacked on top of each other for extra thickness and insulation from the ground.

For people who take camping more seriously, closed-cell foams are often a smart choice and Foam Factory stocks many materials that can be custom-cut to any size that is desired. Using closed-cell foam, a camping mat will not absorb moisture, by virtue of every cell in their structure being closed off to one another. This makes closed-cell foam pads great not only for those camping in tents, but particularly for those who camp under the stars without shelter. Adding to their versatility, many closed-cell foam varieties can be cut more thinly than open-cell foam because of their more consistent structures. Polyethylene foam roll, neoprene and gym rubber are all able to be cut down to 1/8 of an inch thick. These materials can reduce the weight of your pack for long-term camping trips and can also function as a seating cushion or resting pad when you’re taking a break from hiking and exploring. These foams are easily rolled as well, making them easy to pack and bring along on your trip. Closed-cell foam’s moisture resistance means these pads will not encourage the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria and can be easily wiped down and cleaned after a trip concludes. Camping foam has even been used in emergencies to wrap perishable foods and preserve them longer.

Thin, Water Resistant Polyethylene Roll

Another style of camping growing in popularity is car camping. Different from camping with an RV, individuals fit the trunks and beds of SUVs and covered pickup trucks with custom storage platforms that double as bed frames. This means campers can drive to remote locations, hike and explore all day, then return to their vehicle for tent-free, supportive sleep. Some people have even utilized this strategy to make cross-country trips without ever booking a hotel. These sleeper platforms are often elevated about a foot or two to provide storage space for supplies. Some of the more detailed platforms include lids and drawers across the surface to optimize access to the compartments beneath. Because of this, a heavy and cumbersome traditional mattress makes it difficult to reach compartments, which can even become hazardous if an area needs to be accessed and the mattress cannot be removed. Foam sleeping pads are excellent for vehicle sleeping platforms because they are easily rolled and stored in a compartment when not being used, keeping the cargo area and underneath storage accessible. Or, because of their minimal weight and excellent flexibility, a camping roll can be left on the platform and just lifted or pushed aside as needed. Foam Factory can cut sleeping pads to any unique size that a platform may require, or, provide the sheet form for you to do-it-yourself at home. Best of all, without the concern of terrain or battling the elements, the decision on what kind of foam camping mat you want can be based completely on your comfort preferences.

No matter what type of camping you enjoy, be it a night in the yard with the family or weeks spent bushwhacking with the trees and leaves being your canopy bed, sleeping well is frequently most difficult part of the adventure. With Foam Factory’s camping cushions you can get the refreshing sleep you need, whether you have to get up to take the kids to soccer practice in the morning or you have to get up to keep your campfire lit.

Tags: Camping Foam, Closed-Cell Foam, Comfort, Custom Pads, Outdoor Foam

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