- Joined
- Oct 26, 2000
- Messages
- 6,104
For over a decade I've had a Thermarest Guidelite 3/4. Since downsizing to lighten and compact my load, and switching to smaller packs for the last year, I've been using their Z-lite small, basically a 3/4 length pad, itself.
The Z-lite is less than half the weight, but these are both bulky pads. I always strap the Z-Lite to the outside of my pack, where it gets caught on deadfalls, lowhanging limbs, and in brush. As a pad, it's light, and convenient to use, but is not very comfortable.
After reading a few online reviews, and seeing the small packed size of some of these newer sleeping pads, I decided being able to have the pad inside the packbag was something that I really wanted.
Went to the outdoor store to check out the short Thermarest Prolite and NeoAir inflatable pads. Also got to look at the Exped SynMat UL 7 airpad. When I say "check out", it means I sit on them, lay on them, wallow around, experiment with the amount of air in the pad, simulate sleeping in different positions, etc.
Also decided in the midst of this that I wanted a full length pad for a change, because even though I need to keep my feet elevated when sleeping, putting my pack under my legs in the bivy is a pain, and I usually don't do it.
The Exped had a nice textured surface, and I liked it a lot more than the NeoAir, which seemed flimsy in comparison and sounds like a bag of potato chips when you touch it or move on it. The Prolite self-inflater was thinner(not the Plus model), and had a flat surface instead of the ribbed one of the airpads. It rolled into a tiny packed size, and the material felt better on bare skin than the other pads, plus seemed much more durable with a minimal weight increase. I could bottom it out, but only by intentionally putting my weight in a limited area, like bouncing on my butt, or kneeling on the pad. It didn't discourage rolling with its flat surface, but overall I liked it better than the more expensive pads.
I had it in my hand, and was ready to buy.
About that time my friend who is a manager there came out. She got me to try one I hadn't bothered to look at before by Big Agnes, a brand I know little about.
To make a long story long...it was the Big Agnes Air Core Mummy Pad in regular length. Takes a couple minutes to inflate, and also to deflate, flatten, and fold, but it packs small enough to easily fit in the interior sleeves of my Mystery Ranch Dragonslayer(or the water bottle holders on the outside). The material is more durable and less noisy than the NeoAir, and it provides a lot more cushion than the Prolite. At around 19oz. it weighs 3-8oz. more than the lightest alternatives, but unlike the Thermarest inflatables, includes a stuff sack with a repair kit, both of which would have had to be bought separately. Very nice combination of features and accessories.
I decided to buy it.
My friend saved the best part for last. It was $50
Had a $50 Visa gift card just won at work, so with tax I'm out 5 bucks....
Anyway, here it is with my Z-Lite, Guidelite, and Marmot Arete sleeping bag.
Think I'll be sleeping more comfy from now on, and less prone to getting snagged on stuff
The Z-lite is less than half the weight, but these are both bulky pads. I always strap the Z-Lite to the outside of my pack, where it gets caught on deadfalls, lowhanging limbs, and in brush. As a pad, it's light, and convenient to use, but is not very comfortable.
After reading a few online reviews, and seeing the small packed size of some of these newer sleeping pads, I decided being able to have the pad inside the packbag was something that I really wanted.
Went to the outdoor store to check out the short Thermarest Prolite and NeoAir inflatable pads. Also got to look at the Exped SynMat UL 7 airpad. When I say "check out", it means I sit on them, lay on them, wallow around, experiment with the amount of air in the pad, simulate sleeping in different positions, etc.
Also decided in the midst of this that I wanted a full length pad for a change, because even though I need to keep my feet elevated when sleeping, putting my pack under my legs in the bivy is a pain, and I usually don't do it.
The Exped had a nice textured surface, and I liked it a lot more than the NeoAir, which seemed flimsy in comparison and sounds like a bag of potato chips when you touch it or move on it. The Prolite self-inflater was thinner(not the Plus model), and had a flat surface instead of the ribbed one of the airpads. It rolled into a tiny packed size, and the material felt better on bare skin than the other pads, plus seemed much more durable with a minimal weight increase. I could bottom it out, but only by intentionally putting my weight in a limited area, like bouncing on my butt, or kneeling on the pad. It didn't discourage rolling with its flat surface, but overall I liked it better than the more expensive pads.
I had it in my hand, and was ready to buy.
About that time my friend who is a manager there came out. She got me to try one I hadn't bothered to look at before by Big Agnes, a brand I know little about.
To make a long story long...it was the Big Agnes Air Core Mummy Pad in regular length. Takes a couple minutes to inflate, and also to deflate, flatten, and fold, but it packs small enough to easily fit in the interior sleeves of my Mystery Ranch Dragonslayer(or the water bottle holders on the outside). The material is more durable and less noisy than the NeoAir, and it provides a lot more cushion than the Prolite. At around 19oz. it weighs 3-8oz. more than the lightest alternatives, but unlike the Thermarest inflatables, includes a stuff sack with a repair kit, both of which would have had to be bought separately. Very nice combination of features and accessories.
I decided to buy it.
My friend saved the best part for last. It was $50
Had a $50 Visa gift card just won at work, so with tax I'm out 5 bucks....
Anyway, here it is with my Z-Lite, Guidelite, and Marmot Arete sleeping bag.
Think I'll be sleeping more comfy from now on, and less prone to getting snagged on stuff
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