Finally Getting Out With A New Sleeping Pad!

I got my first article published in a magazine!

As some have commented, "It's

about time!!"

Man, its been way too long since I've blogged, sorry! So much going on and just not enough time. Since my last post, I've finally got my first magazine article published in Kanawa (Requiem For The Romaine), had a fun time presenting at the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club, had several requests from other canoeist (both friends and strangers) to join them on some big canoe trips, assisted a Parks writer with information about canoeing, met a few new potential paddling partners and to boot, I became an uncle again! The tot's name is Noah. I figure with a name like that, - synonymous with a boat & water - you know we are definitely going to get along well! Anyhow, despite all this I decided it was time to sit my rump down and post something before the paddling season begins. It definitely has begun and yes, if you believe, I still haven't been out! I'm totally discombobulated! Anyhow, that should soon be remedied this weekend as I'm heading off on a short 3 day trip to start the season.

The Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club members attending my

presentation. It was surprisingly a large group,

(gulp!) but fun presenting there!

Photo: Anita DeVries

Timing was perfect as I got some new gear from Eureka today to try out and use. One which has me very interested in trying out is their new line of sleeping pads. I'm sure you are all aware of the self-inflating sleeping mats that have revolutionized the outdoor community by storm, replacing those de facto (and uncomfortable) blue foam pads. Well in recent years, there have been a few companies that have come out with 'air-mattresses' that are significantly more comfortable. For colder climates, you can even get ones that insulates as they have either down or synthetic fill inside of them for the best of both worlds. Well, Eureka took a different angle on this principle and has created their own line of comfortable sleeping mats - the Singlis ST and Dualis ST.

Eureka's answer to the 'air mattresses' growing

popularity among trippers.

The Singlis ST is an 'air mattress' comprised of 6 longitudinal tubes that can be inflated with either the integrated hand pump or by blowing in through a brass valve. It doesn't have much of an R value (insulative value) since air is the only thing inside of the tubes, therefore it is only good for warm weather excursions. The big benefit is that it is really comfortable and eliminates even sizable protrusions from below. The Dualis ST on the other hand has a unique twist being that the same 'air mattress' style tubes are bonded underneath to a self-inflating mattress. Therefore you have both the comfort of the air tubes, plus the insulative properties from the self-inflating foam! Seems pretty brilliant to me! I'm certain I haven't seen anything of this sort on the market, so it will definitely be interesting to try out and see how well they perform.

From the initial impression and test, the Singlis ST was quite

comfortable. Can't wait to test it out!

It's still pretty cold out there during the night, so I'm going to use the Dualis this weekend. In fact, because I'm so excited to try it out, I'm going to sleep on it tonight at home! I'll let you know how things turn out after the weekend. Hope you are all getting out soon too, despite all the wacky temperamental weather!

Cheers,

David