ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Air Pad Seat - Special Buy

Comments about Alps Mountaineering Lightweight Air Pad Seat - Special Buy:

A few days a week, my husband and I hike to the top of a local mountain. When we reach the top, we typically sit on the ground and share snacks while watching the sunset. I had been eyeballing this sitting pad, but wasn't sure I wanted to spend the money or carry it around.

One day, while enjoying our view after our hike, I sat in something stinky and gross that came from an animal's digestive system. I hiked back to our car (about 2 miles) wishing I had purchased this pad.

The next morning, my wishes were answered as the pad was REI-Outlet's Deal of the Day! I promptly purchased 4 of them and am very pleased with their performance.

The pad is very lightweight, and rolled up in its carrying sack, it fits fine in the hydration packs we use for this hike. It is kept rolled up with two elastic bands. I don't like that the bands aren't attached to the pad because they could be lost, but we make it a habit to store them in the pad's sack.

The pad is as easy to use as any self-inflating pad. Just unroll it slightly then open the valve. In less than a minute, you have a perfectly fine sitting pad. I finish inflating it with a puff of air, then close the valve. It was just as easy to deflate it and return it to it's sack.

This pad is extremely comfortable, though I am comparing it to sitting on the ground. It makes our sunset snack-time so enjoyable, plus it protects us from whatever nasty stuff is on the ground. Because it is inflatable, the comfort level is adjustable, unlike foam pads. An added plus is that it comes with a repair kit that is small enough to keep in the carrying sack.

We are very pleased with how durable this pad is, as well. It is basically a miniature sleeping pad. The material is a thick vinyl that held up to some rocks. I don't recommend placing it on a bed of sharp needles or super sharp rocks since you'll likely feel them through the pad. But on relatively even surfaces, it held up very well.

Because it came in its own sack and given its size, this sitting pad was easy enough to carry inside our hydration packs, but we could easily lash them to our North Face Sport Hiker waist packs (it has compression straps that can hold the pad horizontally). If you carry a very small waist pack with no lashing capability, this won't fit. It's a long tube.

If you day hike and take any sort of breaks, there is no reason not to have this pad unless you like sitting on the ground. I like to sit, but I like to be clean, too.

Be the envy of your camp/hike buddies and buy this pad!!

Comments about Alps Mountaineering Lightweight Air Pad Seat - Special Buy:

I got 4 of these. 1 for my human bottom.. comfy!
But I really wanted 3 for my small dogs (3-7 lbs) these will be great for the dogs around the house, in a kennel, when we go to a grassless park, go camping or for a comfy dog resting spot if I stop at a sidewalk cafe or my favorite sushi restaurant with outdoor seating on a hard brick patio.
I will make simple little flannel or fleece covers for easy cleaning and so they don't make a scratchy noise.
Exactly what I was hoping for.

Comments about Alps Mountaineering Lightweight Air Pad Seat - Special Buy:

I followed all the pre-use directions and I am disappointed after my first use.
I like the size and how quickly it inflates all on it's own, but sitting on it for a little while there is no air left inside at all.
The only reason I'm giving it more than one star is that the foam inside is so dense that I'm still slightly off the ground when it's deflated, which by the way seems to only take about 30 minutes.

Comments about Alps Mountaineering Lightweight Air Pad Seat - Special Buy:

It has been great on summer outings! I have used them everywhere.