Paco Pads?????

[Adam Willard]

Are they really worth the money??? All I hear are good things but I haven't had the chance to try one. So what ya think, worth it or stay with the Thermarest???

[Owl]

There was a discussion on sleeping pads a couple of years ago. Link below.

http://forums.arkansascanoeclub.com/vie ... aco#p55890" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RomanLA]

Speaking of pads...I just picked up a 2/3 Length Pacific Outdoors Ether Elite 6...it's insulated, 2.5 inches thick, and only 10.75oz!
http://pacoutdoor.com/sleeping-pads/view/ether-elite-6

[A Savage spanke]

I don't have one yet, I'm getting one this summer though. Right now my brothers is at my house and I think its pretty awesome. They obviously are not for backpacking and never pretend to be so I don't think weight should be a factor. But if you are going to be camping out of your truck or a raft these things seem pretty sweet. The one at my house is the medium level which ever that is, and you can throw it out on pretty much anything without feeling the ground. Great for gravel/rock bars. They are also made out of raft material which I think is pretty cool considering how tough it makes them, and the fact that you can float them downstream (on purpose or just something to grab if you didn't cinch it down when your raft flips). Not light, not very compact-able, but they are tough and relatively comfortable. With as much money as they cost you should probably lay down on one before deciding. Mine will be in the mail in a few monthes

[okieboater]

If you are rafting or car camping and want the most comfortable sleep possible for the longest time any product out there offers - get a 4 inch Paco

Paco pads are heavy cause they are built out of long lasting american produced material and put together down in New Mexico by american boat men and women.

Save your money and get a 4 inch Paco

They do not wear out
The foam does not pack down

That is the bottom line

if you want to back pack, get a therma rest and deal with the rocks sticking into your back

If you want to sleep on a trip in a bed about as comfortable as your bed at home get a 4 inch paco.

The 3 inch is good, but the 4 inch is better. I have slept on the thinner pacos and they beat out any other similiar sized pad, but if you want comfort go for at least the 3 and the 4 is the bomb for comfort.

[Richard]

But to be really comfortable, the base layer needs to be a cot

[pnut]

what everyone else said if you are not backpacking the paco pad is hands down the most durable, comfortable option out there short of taking your bd with you

[Lazer]

Jacks Plastic Welding makes the Paco Pad series

Maravia makes the Silverback

Aire makes the Landing Pad


These are the bomb for non-backpacking camping, overnight river trips with raft or canoe support, etc. They are more bulky and heavier than sleeping pads made for backpacking, but are very durable and give added padding. They are all made of the the same material as the raft material the individual company uses. You can even ride them down the river if you dare.

I've got an original size paco pad that's over 10-yrs and still good. Also have a 3-yr old Silverback, it is awesome.

[A Savage spanke]

I havn't tried maravias, but I have slept on the aires. For as much as I love their boats, I hate their sleeping pads. I might as well have been sleeping on a rock slab, or at least trying to sleep on it

[panicman]

Paco pads rule. Paco grande hear. They are so well made I think they give you a 10 year warranty on them. the 4 inch paco would be nice but when you have to get one for the wife and kiddo it is quite pricey. Picked up a 3rd one awhile back from nrs FOR $50.00 OFF.

[robkanraft]

I know people who have the Cascade Silverback and like them. I have two bought several years ago which I believe the foam has broken down in and I really dislike them, but they work well enough I can’t justify starting over.

Cascade Silverback's best feature in my opinion is that they use the same inflation valve as both of my rafts. If I had to, I could cannibalize a pad to keep a raft going. That said, I if could do it over... I'd go with an original Jack's Paco Pad, one you’ve committed to spending that kind of money on a pad, you might as well suck it up and go all the way.

[Crane]

I had the same failure of foam problem in two Silverbacks... I would not buy one again from Maravia/Cascade ... period. I do have several Paco Pads that are bomb-proof and when my bride says I can't take her 4" Paco on a trip, I'll be investing in another!! Crane

[okieboater]

Add me to the group that had a Cascade Silverback pad's foam breakdown.

Took less than one year for it to go. Turn on my side and my hipbone would hit the ground.

This was some time ago and may have been fixed by now but I kinda doubt it.

I have not and will not take another chance on Cascade sleeping pads, way too much money to throw away in one year.

I just purchased a white JPW Paco "shorty" one inch pad to put on top of my cooler on the raft. Have used the thicker pacos for this but the one inch shorty just looks better. Will also give me some padding when just lounging around camp taking that afternoon nap.