Open Cell Foam Pads...Why So Expensive??

[semperfi71]

Years ago I bought some open cell foam pads for mattresses to use in camping out, to sleep on the ground and on cots. They were about 36" by 72" by 3" thick. And about $20.00 a piece.

I went out this weekend to buy one that needed to be "40 x 76" x 3". THEY WERE $198.00 TO $180.00!?!

I was mortified. Why the high price? Due to the increase in petroleum prices?

I am assumiing this since I assume pertroleum is used to make them.

 

[JcMack]

I know what you mean. I was getting a stiff neck from so many hours behind the wheel I made a makeshift head rest out of the stuff. I found a remnant piece at craft store about 12"X36"X6". It priced out at $35.

 

[gregintenn]

They must make them at the same place they make bubble wrap. If you ever intend to ship anything, save the bubble wrap from all the packages you receive. That stuff is high!

 

[truckemup97]

If you find some cheap, let me know where. I've been using 5-6" thick foam pads as mattresses in the truck for years. (truck mattresses are crap, and more expensive than most twin size mattresses) The last one I bought is pretty well worn out, but I found the same kind of pricing you did. I think I paid about $90 for the last one, but that was four or five years ago.

 

[setxn]

I'm glad you posted this ,I have a 48 x 80 x 4 camper pad that was fixing to get tossed.Think I'll put it in the safe for protection!

 

[GatorFarmer]

Used GI ones are often at the on base thrift and the dusty side corner of the Exchange. Note these aren't the nice thermarest GI ones, but the old OD foam sort (that's what the recruits get). I can see how much they are if you want one, but shouldn't be more than a few dollars.

 

[semperfi71]

Thanks Gator Farmer but we found a suitable and cheaper alternative.

I am still curious as to why this stuff is so high. It's essentially cheap material, as in cheaply made, or so I thought.

 

[Farmer17]

I have been looking for the exact same thing and have been shocked at the prices. Growing up, my mother made a matress with a large 3-1/2" foam pad and covered it with blue and white matress ticking material and full size bed sheets would fit it perfectly. My folks slept on it in the back of the station wagon when we went camping, and that matress was well used for at least 35 years before it was finally retired. I have been wanting something similar since we love to go tent camping and I have owned several different air beds and all of them got leaks after a short period of time. I'm thinking a hide-a-bed matress might be the place to look next.

 

[Rule3]

Why do you want open cell foam?? Closed cell is much stronger, will not retain moisture, insulates better. and generally better for sleeping on the ground or hard surfaces. Does not flatten out.Does not absorb odors. Maybe not as cushy.

It would be equally expensive.

Web site picked at random, I am sure there are many more.

Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pads and Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pad Reviews - Trailspace.com

 

[jkc]

Why do you want open cell foam?? Closed cell is much stronger, will not retain moisture, insulates better. and generally better for sleeping on the ground or hard surfaces. Does not flatten out.Does not absorb odors. Maybe not as cushy.

It would be equally expensive.

Web site picked at random, I am sure there are many more.

Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pads and Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pad Reviews - Trailspace.com

I agree that at those prices for raw open-cell foam, you could get a much more technically sophisticated and superior product, such as the Thermarest self-inflating pads (try REI.com) or the comparatively heavy but nearly bullet-proof Paco Pads used by river-runners (NRS.com).

 

[Farmer17]

Its hard to find closed cell foam that is very thick and its also hard to find it full or queen size since my camp mate likes to snuggle with me. I would love to find some closed cell 2-1/2 to 3" thick in a full size matress.

 

[semperfi71]

Originally Posted by OCD1
Why do you want open cell foam?? Closed cell is much stronger, will not retain moisture, insulates better. and generally better for sleeping on the ground or hard surfaces. Does not flatten out.Does not absorb odors. Maybe not as cushy.

It would be equally expensive.

Web site picked at random, I am sure there are many more.

Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pads and Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pad Reviews - Trailspace.com


Originally Posted by jkc,
I agree that at those prices for raw open-cell foam, you could get a much more technically sophisticated and superior product, such as the Thermarest self-inflating pads (try REI.com) or the comparatively heavy but nearly bullet-proof Paco Pads used by river-runners (NRS.com).

My reply:

Initially the search was for open cell foam because it was once cheaper than dirt. Also closed cell foam is usually not found in thick enough sizes and probably for sure not wide enough. I did find an alternative and we bought that.

Also I was thinking the same as jkc, maybe something "new" in closed cell foam has occurred since I last looked. But, once again it must be a single mattress large enought to fit a double-bed. If one were desperate enough I guess they could find two closed cell foam pads of some kind and sew them together side-by-each. But THAT would be some work!

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions but...still my question is unanswered.

Why the high price on open cell foam?