Most comfortable multi-day backpack-able sleeping pad/mattress?

Daniel Koster

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 18, 2001
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I'm heading out this summer on a long backpacking trip (50+ miles over 10 days). Overnight lows will drop to the 40s, but shouldn't go below freezing.

In the past I've used a Big Agnes Clearview Air Pad - lightweight and small packed size. And while it does a pretty good job smoothing out the ground and insulating from cold, it is a pain in the rear to deflate and re-inflate every day - and I end up sliding off it during the night and readjusting.

Ideally I'd like to get a pad that is hopefully at least if not more comfortable than the Clearview and easier to set up.

So far, I've settled on the Therm-a-rest ProLite Plus.
(I'm also thinking about an Exped mat...just can't figure out which one...)


Is there something else out there that's better?

FWIW, I'm 6' tall and 240 lbs. (think large everywhere, no beer gut...LOL)
I sleep mostly on my side and end up tossing and turning a lot which is why I normally hate mummy bags, but finally found one I like and works well for me: Coleman X32 Tasman. Yes, sometimes a cheap bag does work great!


Anyway - got any suggestions?


I have some overnight hikes coming up soon (preparing for the "big one") and would like to try it out soon. While budget is always a concern, it's worth it to me to get a nice pad so I can get a good night's rest....and save $$$ on other stuff...like the sleeping bag...LOL. I don't mind if it's going to be larger...but I want to err on the lighter side (but not necessarily ultralight).

Dan
 
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My lack of comfort in the outdoors was remedied by a hammock.
A lot of people will say they cant be comfortable in cold weather, but they are wrong.
If you care for it, check out Hammockforums.net. Lots of great people and information there, as well as ex ground dweller testimonies.
Once you get in to it, you'll realize how comfortable it is to sleep in one and how well rested you'll be in the morning, not to mention you wont be crawling on all 4s in a tent.

graysonhighlandsmtrogers09-09_079.jpg
 
Have you tried the Pro-lite? I don't think it is nearly as comfortable as what you already have.

I'm a side sleeper, too, and even a standard thermarest was not good enough for me any more. Several years ago I got an Insulmat (very similar to your Big Agnes, it's an insulated air mattress) and I love it. I have used it on snow, it is definitely better than a simple air mattress, and it is so much more comfortable than anything else I have tried. Blowing it up each day in camp is worth the effort for me.

I can't rely on a hammock because I spend a lot of nights above treeline.
 
I have a regular size Neo Air and sleep like a log on it. I can sleep on my side also. The only thing I would change would be to make it a few inches wider. I like my arms to rest on the pad not the ground. Which requires something over 20".

You said you are a side sleeper therefore I think you need a pad that is over 1.5" thick. The ThermaRest Prolite Plus is only 1.5" thick.

I think what you are looking for is a Exped Pump mat. They have built in pumps that make it easier to inflate. Knowing that you are a side sleeper and dont want to have to blow it up I would suggest getting the AirMat 7 Pump DLX. It is 26" wide which will accommodate you better than a 20" pad. It is thick enough for side sleeping and comes in at 30oz.

Hope this helps.


"AirMat 7 Pump DLX
Size: 197 x 65 cm / 77.5 x 26
Thickness: 7 cm / 2.8“
Weight: 860 g / 30.3 oz
Packsack 18 g / 0.6 oz
Packed: 27 x 13 cm / 11 x 6“
Temp.: 4°C / 39°F
R-value: 1.5

AirMat 7 Pump DLX is exceptionally lightweight, comfortable and packs down into a small bundle. The integrated pump ensures quick inflation without the usual near fainting experience associated with blowing up airmats. This also prevents humidity from reaching the interior of the mat. Ideal for warm climates or the tropics. They can also be used for bathing. As part of a modular system they can be combined with a closed cell foam mat or our Mat Covers."
 
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trugracie said:
My lack of comfort in the outdoors was remedied by a hammock.
A lot of people will say they cant be comfortable in cold weather, but they are wrong.
If you care for it, check out Hammockforums.net. Lots of great people and information there, as well as ex ground dweller testimonies.
Once you get in to it, you'll realize how comfortable it is to sleep in one and how well rested you'll be in the morning, not to mention you wont be crawling on all 4s in a tent.

graysonhighlandsmtrogers09-09_079.jpg
Click to expand...

Beat me to it! Light weight, comfortable in all terrains (as long as there are trees) and you don't have to find somewhere flat and level. You are also up out of the mud if conditions turn bad.

I word of guidance for those colder nights. You can use mats and inflatible mattresses in hammocks but it's much much more comfortable just getting a proper underquilt. Something like the Hudson River from Jacks R Better would do you just fine and if you are a warm sleeper you might be able to get away with something even lighter.

IMG_0279.jpg


Makes for great stealth camping too!

IMG_0282.jpg
 
Daniel,

I basically live in my sleeping system so I've tried about everything...the products I've found work the best are;

The Lost Ranger 15 Sleeping bag with integrated Big Agnes insulated air mattress. No sliding off the mat as it is fully integrated into the bag and I deflate it and both slips nicely into the compression sack. But (there is always a tradeoff my friend), it is slow to inflate and deflate as you mentioned.

For extreme cold I use the new Exped 7 or 9 (can't remember which it is). Superb comfort and warm - superb. The older one I have was a pain to inflate with the hokey stuff sack inflater but the newer built in inflater isn't so bad. But the tradeoff is you will slide off. So I made a thin cover for it that the top side has this tacky (I mean sticky not out of vogue) surface to increase surface resistance with the bag and the mat. It helps a great deal.

Finally, I also have a Thermarest pad but as a Thermarest retailer I learned something at a dealer meeting that isn't broadcasted a great deal and that is buy the Prolite model for women if you're a cold sleeper or if you're going to use it in cold weather conditions. The women's model has different insulation and more of it consentrated in the upper core area where women don't have as much body fat as typical males. Yea the weight is about the same or lighter than the male model but they moved insulation from the leg area up to the core...frankly most of the time our legs don't get cold anyway. Just go to a retailer and do a side by side looksey...you'll see it has denser insulation near the core. Tradeoff, back to sliding around - so make a cover.

One buddy made sleeve slip cover ( can't explain it well here) that goes over his sleeping bag that wraps around the foot area and then a portion goes over the bag near the head to connect it. The bottom is basically a Thermarest retainer to secure the mat to the bag. It looks goofy but works. We need to patent it.

Finallly, I'll jump in on the hammock discussion - when the weather gets above 40 degees I return to the Hennessey Hammock also! I take a reflective car window cover (used to keep the sun out of the window/dash of a car that folds up) and put it on the bottom of the hammock in 40 degree temps to help better insulate the bottom. Extremely lightweight and foldable. Good luck!
 
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Quirt said:
For extreme cold I use the new Exped 7 or 9 (can't remember which it is). Superb comfort and warm - superb. The older one I have was a pain to inflate with the hokey stuff sack inflater but the newer built in inflater isn't so bad. But the tradeoff is you will slide off. So I made a thin cover for it that the top side has this tacky (I mean sticky not out of vogue) surface to increase surface resistance with the bag and the mat. It helps a great deal.
Click to expand...

The exped 9 is what I keep hearing from different folks as the best pad on the market for comfort and warmth. I just can't get over the sticker shock of $200 for it. But if you want the best than that is probably what I'd pull for.

As for myself, I go hammock when I can, but in the winter I will double up a 1.75" self inflatable (REI) with a foam pad. Or you could do what I did the last overnighter I did with Rick where I brought an ultralight thermarest and placed that on top of bed of locally harvested grasses and reads.
 
For comfort you'll definitely want a down or synthetic insulated inflator from Exped, Big Agnes or Insulmat. If you slightly underinflate them then you don't roll off as easily.

Some tricks to making the top of the pad stickier: paint on dots of silicone or lay down a strip of drawer liner (the foamy mesh that you can pick up at Wallyworld and other big box stores). Not perfect, but helps with only a minimal weight penalty.
 
I was looking at pads last year and I decided to go with the Thermarest Trail Pro... it is 2" thick... the Pro Lite is 1.5".

I love mine... Ski
 
5615_127502417526_614477526_3580554_4969165_n.jpg


it might seem odd to use a old school pool mattress but the only downside i know of are blowing it up and it might be a bit heaver then a foam pad. but IMHO it's the best sleep you can get in the bush.

it takes maybe 5 min to blow up by mouth, has a built in pillow that you can adjust and it's bloody thick getting you off the ground. your tent could flood in the middle of the night and you wouldn't even know.

also, the colder it gets outside, the colder you get. that is unless you have a good solid sleeping bag

over all it's my pick for tent camping.
 
I like a Thermarest self inflating pad. The army surplus ones are great, and at a good point.

In cold weather, I roll up the self inflating pad with one of the Thermarest closed cell foam pads. The combination insulates you from the cold ground, and guarantees a good night sleep.
 
Perhaps not too helpful to your question, but any kind of pad, from the thinnest closed-cell foamy to a Thermarest, is 100x more comfy and warm when laid upon a bed of spruce or fir bows. If you are able to take advantage of this, you need the bows from 2 christmas tree size trees to make a large bed that will work for you 4 seasons. IMO, it's necessary in winter.

sprucebows.gif
 
I have a bad back and can't seem to get comfortable backpacking anymore no matter what I use.

A regular pool inflatable matress works the best for my back, but you can't use this in the winter, it just gets too cold. Ive heard good things about the thermarest inflatables.
 
The real kicker for me is my wife is a side sleeper, and she usually can't get comfortable.

But I got us a pair of exped 7's (not the down model) for a good price. I've been amazed at the durability, ease, and comfort of these mats.

I've packed them in, used one as a camp chair, used it in the tent, in the hammock, even on hardwood and concrete floors. The integral pump is great, especially at a bit of altitude after hiking. It fits great in a Big Agnes bag pocket.

I don't have the down versions and don't camp when it's super cold out, so I can't speak to the super insulating values, but I've never been cold or uncomfortable on mine. For reference I'm about 6', 190lbs.
 
The Exped 7 is insane comfortable. TOTALLY recommend it. Go handle one at REI and see if you can refuse. They're that good.
 
plowboy87 said:
it might seem odd to use a old school pool mattress but the only downside i know of are blowing it up and it might be a bit heaver then a foam pad. but IMHO it's the best sleep you can get in the bush.

it takes maybe 5 min to blow up by mouth, has a built in pillow that you can adjust and it's bloody thick getting you off the ground. your tent could flood in the middle of the night and you wouldn't even know.

also, the colder it gets outside, the colder you get. that is unless you have a good solid sleeping bag

over all it's my pick for tent camping.
Click to expand...

Actually that sounds like a good idea... Do you have the ability to weigh yours? Deflated of course. I'd be interested to see how it stacks up with actually sleeping pads.

P.S. I don't understand why this was moved from wss, it IS wilderness related...:confused:
 
stingray4540 said:
P.S. I don't understand why this was moved from wss, it IS wilderness related...:confused:
Click to expand...

Yes....that is curious....




anyway - great suggestions, guys!
:thumbup:


A couple comments:

I can't do a hammock - sorry, it's not an option. :(
The integrated pad sounds pretty cool, but I like to rotate my mummy bag when I sleep on my side and I think (IIRC) that the pad would rotate with me leaving me on the ground.

I will be at high altitude 7000-9000 ft.
I will be setting up and taking down my tent/gear every day/night.
Average day will be 5-9 miles backpacking with 45-50 lbs
I've "budgeted" up to 3 lbs for a good comfy pad
I've used a basic Therm-a-rest eggshell-style pad many many times and it smoothes the bumps but doesn't insulate well or provide much comfort.

I'm ok with adding stuff to a pad to help cut down on slipping.



So does that leave me with the Exped? Any others?

Dan
 
stingray4540 said:
Actually that sounds like a good idea... Do you have the ability to weigh yours? Deflated of course. I'd be interested to see how it stacks up with actually sleeping pads.

P.S. I don't understand why this was moved from wss, it IS wilderness related...:confused:
Click to expand...

Your in luck. I'm heading home t/m and I should be able to pop it on the scale. Well as long as I remember
 
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