Regarding the old ensolite closed cell foam sleeping pads, the kind that once predominated.
Anybody know where I can get one?
Anyboy know if they’re still made?
Anybody know why they basically disappeared from hiking and camping stores?
Thanks.
Conan
Conan
Try Campmor item #41312.It dosn’t say Ensolite but it sure look like it.Only $9.99 and only 8 oz.Give them a call at 1-800-Campmor.
Old&in the Way
The Army-Navy stores still sell the foam pads. The “generic blue ones” and the military issue ones (in a brownish color).
I’ve also seen them in XYZMart, too.
As for why they are so hard to get…they are light, inexpensive and hard to destroy. So of course retailers don’t want to sell them. 
In all seriousnes, most people like a thick Thermarest now-a-days…much less a thin foam pad. I use one myself…and people are a bit taken back when they see me whip out the Ensolite pad.
All about marketing…you NEED an expensive pad to be comfortable in the backcountry. But, that’s another thread…
Paul Mags
Many seem to be using ensolite in a generic sense. The actual Ensolite pads are light tan in color, kind of rubbery, more flexible and softer than the more common “blue” pads. Unfortunatly, they are also somewhat heavier, and" more expensive. My guess is that is why they are harder to find.
A true Ensolite pad is more comfortable than a “blue” pad.
Lyle
Lyle is correct in that the old ensolite pads were vanilla in color and had a rubbery feel to them. A full size pad was 20" wide x 72" long x 3/8 thick; weighed one pound on the nose; and they were extremely comfortable. They were rated for well-below-zero weather, and would keep you quite warm at 0*F for those concerned with R-ratings. I’ve used them on snow and been toasty.
Ensolite was developed by NASA to absorb pressure, which may explain why it is so comfortable even at only 3/4 of an inch thick.
Having seen “blue pads” I do not think they are made of ensolite.
Having seen Ridgerest and Z-Rest pads I do not think they are made of ensolite either; neither do I think they would be as comfortable in terms of cushioning. In short, the Ridgerest and Z-Rest pads are all thicker, being .5 or .625 or .75 inches thick, appear to me to be less comfortable than the old ensolite pads in terms of cushioning and warmth, and at 20" by 72" are heavier than the old ensolite pads.
This is why I’m wondering what happened to them–why did ensolite pads disappear? They strike me as a better product than the current closed cell foam sleeping pads.
Conan
Conan
Learn something new everyday.
Sounds like the old military surplus (which ARE light tan) may be realy McCoy. Alas, the military has switched to od green thermarests it seems.
Try this:
http://site.iwebcenters.com/afoammart_2/specialfx5.html
Though, based on google searches, many people (mistakenly, it seems) swap out foam and Ensolite as one and the same. Guess you’d have to call the above (and any source) directly to know for sure.
Paul Mags
Tina,
You are the bomb.
I thought I would never see another one and then “bang” you pointed one right out.
By the way, I’ve only seen them at 3/8 inch thick (my second reference above was in error). The 3/4 inch pad must be luxurious.
Thank you.
Conan
Conan
Dear Paul:
Thank you for your site as well. One would have to order a custom pad, at a fairly high price, as they use the product for something else, but they’ve got different thicknesses and it’s the real deal.
Thanks again.
Conan
Conan
Are these ensolite pads(or any non-inflatable pad) a better choice for long distance backpacking as far as reliability goes? I was somewhat concerned about the possibility of puncturing my thermorest on a long trip and being unable to quickly replace it.
Mad Max
I’d guess a 3/8" is half the weight of a 3/4".I’d look some more but I just got back from a ten mile hike on the lincoln ridge in the greens - first time out this season, so I’m kinda luxuriating in that hiker high.
Tina