So you’re ready to go camping? Congratulations! The decision to venture into the great outdoors for a night under the stars is just the first step towards thrilling adventures that you will remember for a lifetime. From here, the planning can begin. By carefully considering the gear and accessories you’re going to bring along, you are going to ensure that you and your family or friends can have the best possible time in the wilderness. One of the most important factors, of course, is going to be your tent. By picking the right tent you are going to ensure you have the perfect shelter to fit your group and your gear so that you can get the rest that you need, safe from the elements. The next most important thing is your sleeping gear, which should include a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag. Here, we’ll talk about how to pick out the best sleeping pads for your group!One of the first things to consider when shopping around for sleeping pads is when and how you will be using it! First, you should consider if you are going to be car camping or backpacking to determine the basic dimensions of your new pad, especially weight and size once it’s folded down. It’s also really important to consider how long your new pad will need to be to fit you on it, as well as the width for a comfortable sleep.Once you know how much space your new pad can take up in your car or in your backpack, you can start thinking about how you’re going to be sleeping on it. Are you going to be camping only during the warm months between spring and fall? Or are you planning to try out winter camping? Different pads have different specifications and will offer you more or less insulation from the cold ground at night, so knowing what kind of weather you will be sleeping in is really important! When you are picking out your dream pad, it’s so important that you visualize the where and how of your ideal night. Are you close to your car? Is the weather warm? Do you have plenty of room in your tent to spread out? Or are you far from civilization, on a cold, clear night, in a small, ultralight tent? Planning out your first camping trip from start to finish is going to ensure that you have the best possible time!