Autumn’s short days make way for the long nights of winter camping. As I approach my fifth decade, sleep, comfortable sleep, is increasingly important to me. Feeling warm and cozy at night is essential for my success in the hills and it all starts with a good foundation … a cushy, insulated sleeping pad.
I’m a diehard fan of closed cell foam pads, but decided to take up the challenge of testing High Peak’s Alpinismo Lite ‘n Fast Sleeping Pad.
Above treeline I unrolled the compact pad to let it self-inflate. In less than five minutes its pancake thinness perked up to a plump one-inch thickness. (And yes, I did measure it.) It proved comfortable and provided good insulation from the icy cold drifting upward from the ground.
This sleeping pad is two ounces lighter than my closed cell foam pad. Its compactness will definitely sway me to take it into the backcountry and along on hut trips. For the ultimate in luxury, I may combine both the Alpinismo Lite 'n Fast Sleeping Pad with my closed cell pad.
Perks of the Alpinismo Lite ‘n Fast Sleeping Pad
- Ships with stuff sack, very compact when rolled up.
- Light weight, just 1 lb. 5 oz.
- Ships with tiny repair kit, just in case your crampons poke a hole in the pad.
- At 72″ long x 20″ wide x 1″ thick, fits the medium-sized alpinist.
- Attractive green color.
- Costs about $50.00, click here for list of retailers or google it to see availability at online retailers.
- Gear geeks can checkout the product specs on the High Peak USA web site.
Have fun and be safe out there!
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