Hello, we are taking a plane to go participate in an expedition trip in another state a couple of domestic flights away. We need to bring a sleeping bag and sleep pad and the organizer wants everything to fit in a carry on and a back pack (that fit under seat). We only have a roll up foam sleep pad. Are airlines generally OK with having a rolled up sleeping pad tied on to outside of a carry on luggage or that being carried on separately in to the cabin in addition to the carry on luggage and an under-the-seat bag? What have you done when you flew with this kind of camping gear? I'm not sure if we can afford air sleep pads (compact but I notice they are pretty expensive) and it seems like a lot of work to inflate and deflate it every day (we will be packing up and moving every day). Thank you!

How big is this 'non-inflatable' sleeping pad - is it something like memory foam?? Does it roll up or is it one of the 'accordion' styles . . . and what airline are you flying?

IME some roll/fold down into a pretty small bag and others are nearly as big as a sleeping bag.

Thank you for your response! It is a foam roll-up and pretty bulky, although not as much as a sleeping bag. I just measured it and rolled up, it is 6-7 inches in diameter, 23 inches long. The airline is United.

The 23 inches might be a killer. If it folded down to 6" X 11" or 12" you might get away with it just tying it on to your rollaboard . . . or even temporarily stuff it inside a personal item like a large handbag or tote. But 23 inches is even longer than a full sized rollaboard which is 22 inches max. You may need to buy new ones or forego using pads.

However - can you squish it in at the ends a bit? Because since it is only 6 or 7 inches in diameter - if you pack light it could fit inside a regular rollaboard. (Or bend it into an L shape so it fits inside.

or get an inflatable pool raft at Walmart for $12. It doesn’t take long to inflate.

More important than the airline is the size of the plane. If any of your flights are on a small single aisle plane with 3 or 4 seats across even standard sized carryon luggage will get put into the belly of the plane. You will want to make sure your carryon with any strap ons like sleeping pad are all secure enough to get tossed into the hold.

Im also not sure what problem your organizer is trying to solve by not having checked luggage. Maybe the desire to save 20 to 30 min waiting at baggage claim? Chances are good somebody in the group will have a checked bag, either because they overpacked, or the airline made them check a bag that is too big for a carryon, or all of the overhead space is full by the time the last passengers board. I see that last case happen frequently these days. Im not saying you should plan to check a bag, just be prepared for that to happen and the group needs to wait anyway.

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Thank you for the suggestion. We'll look into it!

A $12 inflatable pool mat may be a great money saving idea, but I have to ask: what kind of ground are sleeping on and what will the temperature be? Those mats are really prone to puncture and leakage, and have zero insulation.

For about $50-60 you can get a decent mat that was actually designed for sleeping on the ground. It may give you a better night's sleep for what that's worth. (A lot?)

Also, seems strange that your outfitter actually wants you to carry that on your flight to wherever your trip starts. On numerous trips like this I've always packed the camping gear in a small duffel that gets checked. Something weird about needing to carry it on.

Anyway, have a good trip.

Thank you for the useful info! I think the organizers are trying to save time at baggage claim, the fee for checking a bag, and reduce the risk of lost luggage. They want the sleeping bag and sleep pad in a carry on (plus a "personal item" backpack). I'm starting to think many people won't be able to pack everything without a check-in bag.

Thank you. Yes, the check in limit is 22 inch and the pad is 23 inches... They want the sleeping bag and pad to be packed in a carry on - which I'm starting to find unreasonable - even if the pad happened to be 22 inches. I'm thinking we'll just to have to have a checked luggage. Stuff the pad there, and carry on the sleeping bag. Will throw that idea to the organizer and see what happens. I'm hoping others in the group is having a similar issue.

Thank you for the input! Yes, I'm very new to this kind of expedition and learning that sleep pads are also meant to protect against temp as well (not jus for cushioning). Good sleep means a lot to me. I'm starting to think just checking a bag. Even if we can find a way to fit a pad, I'm not sure if we can fit everything (including a sleeping bag) in a carry on. Unless we buy a very compactable sleeping bag and pad (something we prefer not to invest in) it just does not seem feasible. But if anyone has recommendations for an affordable, warm (30F or better), compactable sleeping bag and affordable compactable sleeping pad please let me know.

You can get a sleeping bag rated for below 30F for about $20 on Amazon or at Walmart.

Re sleeping pads.

Been trying to post a reply with links but the site keeps hangings Let's try:

1) Not one I use but the Nemo Switchback gets decent reviews on backpacking sites, about $50.
2) I use an older model of Thermarest Trail Pro. No doubt more comfortable than the above, but into serious dollars, as you have learned.

I posted an inflatable for about $25. Look on Amazon, not at an outfitter's store.