Sleeping Pad? What do you use?

[Domanfp]

I have had nothing but good luck with Therma-rest products. I have a 3/4 length that is about 15 years old that I have patched twice and still use when the wife and I go out. Of course she gets the new full length that is much more comfortable.

 

[foxx]

I've had to patch my Thermarest twice, and it's leaking again. I've dunked it in the pool, and can't find the leak. Maybe, it's the valve?
Anyway, mostly I just use the ridged one from Cascade Designs, the company that makes Thermarest. They are cheaper, and lighter, don't go flat, and I can use it on any surface. I got the thick one, it's almost as good to sleep on as the inflatable ones.

 

[Flipincanadian]

Exped is the only way to go. They are expensive, but they are more than worth the cost. I run a Synmat 7 DLX, My backpacking partners run an Airmat and A Downmat. Personally I think the synmat is the best ballance between weight, insulation and cost.

They are the most comfortable mats I have ever used summer or winter, my synmat has helped keep me warm to -15c.

I have also used thermarest's extensively and they always seemed to have a leak somewhere.

 

[Bruise Lee]

I have an REI pad that self inflates to 3.5" and is a bit over 6' long and 31" wide. It weighs 6.75 lbs and is by far the heaviest piece of gear in my backpack rig.

Wow, I can't believe you carry a sleeping pad that big and heavy. My two person tent with rain fly weighs about that much. I hope you don't have to tackle a lot of switchbacks and thousands of feet in elevation gain.

 

[ADD]

Wow, I can't believe you carry a sleeping pad that big and heavy. My two person tent with rain fly weighs about that much. I hope you don't have to tackle a lot of switchbacks and thousands of feet in elevation gain.

That is heavy.

But for some, the tradeoff of a good night's sleep on the trail will make the tackling more bearable than a few extra pounds loaded properly.

 

[wildmanh]

I have a Therm-a-rest Ridge Rest foam pad and a Basecamp self inflating pad. The ridgerest gets used on my cox and the Basecamp goes backpacking with me do to my bad back. Sometimes I pair the two together which is really comfy!

Going to be buying a Big Agnes sleeping bag in a month or two and that will be used with one of their air mattresses on backpacking trips.

 

[SIXFOOTER]

Wow, I can't believe you carry a sleeping pad that big and heavy. My two person tent with rain fly weighs about that much. I hope you don't have to tackle a lot of switchbacks and thousands of feet in elevation gain.

Yea its heavy but I handle it pretty good. Not a lot of altitude here, maybe 20 on a long day.

 

[bitter1]

I use a green therma rest and it is very comfortable.

 

[grimtongue]

Just got an Exped Synmat UL 7. Pretty Sweet. 16.5 oz for a full 20"x72" pad. R value of 3.1. Will still use my BA IAC in winter though.

 

[storl]

How big are the Therma rest pads? My cabelas one is like 8" diameter rolled up. Thats pretty big. What are prices like for 3-4" diameter, rolled up one? What specific models are they? The Therma rest website has tons and it is hard to guage size.

Thanks for all of the responses.

Pro Lite and Neo Air are the smallest and lightest from Therm-A-Rest. Pro Lite used to be the hotness for lightweight backpacking, but the Neo Air is the new one. It's smaller, lighter, thicker, and you will sleep warmer. The Neo Air has a reflective material that reflects body heat back at you, so it is the warmest of the compact ones, even though the R value is not as good as others.

Some people complain about how the Neo Air crinkles a bit if you move around, but I don't notice it. The comfort level greatly outweighs any minor drawbacks. The Neo Air is kind of pricey at $150. Pro Lite is around $100. Neo Air is by far the better seller for us.

 

[storl]

Wow, I can't believe you carry a sleeping pad that big and heavy. My two person tent with rain fly weighs about that much. I hope you don't have to tackle a lot of switchbacks and thousands of feet in elevation gain.

You should see the Dream Time that someone else mentioned. I'd be surprised if I could fit it in my 65L pack with nothing else in there.

 

[NothingCoherent]

All I every carry is a simple foam pad. I had an inflatable thermarest, but learned very quickly that I'm too hard on my gear for those to last. It popped the second time I used it. It was pretty heavy, too...

I like the foam because all I really need is a bit of insulation in the cold, a layer between my sleeping bag and the ground to protect it from rips, and something to lay on beside the fire that can handle a spark or two. Comfort is not important.