Tom from United States, MD Public Profile

If you have a compatible inflatable sleeping pad, this is a must-have piece of gear. You were already going to pack your bulky sleep system in something waterproof, so this doesn't add any net weight to your pack. It's actually probably lighter than whatever you're already using (it's lighter than any other option I've found with a similar volume). It's actually such a good dry bag for sleeping bags that I bought one for my daughter, even though she prefers a foam sleeping pad. And while you sleep, throw all of your dry hiking gear (puffy jacket, etc.) inside the bag so that if you get moisture inside your tent, at least that gear won't get wet.

This is the best way to inflate an inflatable sleeping pad, period. After having to deal with some of the other options, we only buy inflatable sleeping pads that are compatible with this pump bag (we've used compatible pads from REI, Sea to Summit, and Exped). We've dealt with too many other "pump bags" that are slow, heavy, and inefficient. This thing fills inflatable pads in 2-3 squeezes, and is easy to do even after a long day of hiking. It doesn't leave you light-headed, and it doesn't move moisture (from your breath) into the inside of your sleeping pad.

If you're looking at this wondering whether to get it: get it!

Most backpacking chairs are around 2 pounds, which is more weight than I want to carry on a lot of my trips. While this pad isn't as comfortable as those chairs, the comfort to weight ratio is insanely high. Putting this on a rock, log, or bench vastly improves the comfort (even more so if the object is wet or cold). I wouldn't bother setting up my collapsable backpacking chair for a 5 minute rest, but it's a no brainer to unfold this thing. As an extra bonus, you can use it to boost the insulation and padding of your sleeping pad if you have a particular pressure point (like your hips or knees). Or if your inflatable sleeping pad won't hold air, it can be part of an improvised solution.

Of course, it doesn't provide back support like a collapsable chair would, but if you're going to be hiking more than you're resting, it's a worthwhile trade off. When I backpack to a basecamp, I bring the collapsable chair; any other time, I bring this.

This sit pad isn't complicated or fancy, but it's perfect. It's so light that it's a no-brainer to bring along, even when you're trying to cut weight in your pack. If you backpack where there are generally rocks or logs to sit on, this turns any rock or log of the right size into a comfortable seat. As a bonus, it also makes a nice kneeling pad if you're tending a backpack stove on the ground or if you're building a campfire.

The worst thing that you can say about it is that it's kind of bulky in your pack (although it's still smaller than other backpacking seats that I've seen). But the foam folds nicely onto itself and has a little elastic cord to keep it folded, so it's hard to imagine it getting any smaller. Since it's just foam, you can put it on the outside of the pack without worrying about it getting damaged.

These stakes are great: light, strong, and hold well. There's enough bite to them that you can use them to help dig a cat hole if you need to. But they can get a little pricey if you're trying to replace the stakes on a tent.