Sleeping Pad – What others should I consider?

I tried a number of different pads and ended up with an Exped DownMat Lite 5, which has the same shape as the Synmat. I'm generally a side sleeper (occasionally toss & turn), so tapered pads don't work for me. I find the Exped very comfortable and easy to stay on. I don't think you can go wrong with the Synmat, and if you end up not liking it you can return to REI.

the thermarest neoair trekker is not tapered, and the regular size comes in right near 17 oz if i remember correctly. I find the horizontal baffles more comfortable on my side than i do the vertical baffles of most other pads. I am like you and will carry a few extra ounces of pad if it means a good nights rest. It is also cheaper than the xlite and most likely the exped, and is sold at REI.

-hudson

I agree with the Exped sentiment–I love my Synmat UL-7. But then I had no trouble with the fit of a tapered Big Agnes for a number of years. I'm a side sleeper, and feel like pad width/shape is less important to me than to a back sleeper who has to worry about arms and legs falling down to the ground with a too narrow pad.

Re: "the thermarest neoair trekker"

I have the wide short version and use a sit pad under my lower legs.
I can't stay on a 20" wide or mummy shaped pad and would end up with cold knees and/or arms.

I find it amazingly durable for a blow-up pad, but it's not warm enough for late fall to early spring by itself.
So I will also carry an 1/8" and/or 1/4" thick 24"x72" foam pads to supplement for the colder hikes.

I would rather do this than carry a winter blow-up pad year-round because of the unnecessary weight during warm weather hikes.

They don't come any more comfortable.

Of course, this is only one example and I would probably be just as happy with many other combinations, as long as they are at least 24" wide.

I appreciate the suggestions and confirmations provided.

For me, I laid on both the Neoair and the Exped and again, for me, I like the longitudinal baffles much better than the horizontal. Just more comfortable for me as they seem to conform to my body better than the horizontal baffles.

I've used the smaller and larger mummy-shaped pads and though nice around the shoulders, for me they restrict where I can put my legs/feet. I have the need to sprawl to stay comfortable, thus my preference for the rectangular wide shape. I mostly sleep on my stomach or side. I've tried to learn to sleep on my back in one place so I could potentially use less pad, but that's not working for me.

Any other longitudinal pads I should consider?

What are the best recommendations to inflate this pad?

I know there is the Schnozzel. Anything else? Lighter the better.

I know there is the Schnozzel. Anything else? Lighter the better.

Lightest way: your lungs (0 grams, since you were bringing them anyway). I use a schnozzel, BTW, because it's my pack liner, and I'm lazy and it's SO much easier!

I've used a wine cork with a hole drilled in it and a garbage bag (pack liner). It works pretty well and is very light. I tried this after seeing a post from DropBear in MYOG.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=59407

edit: the cork I used was made from cork (not plastic) but still formed a nice seal (and was pretty light – wine stains included).

My version has a rubber band and a garbage bag.
I call it No Cost because most have those bits at home already.
No cost inflation bag
Make take up to 5 minutes to make.

I am surely not averse to using good ol' lung power. However, since there is synthetic insulation to contend with, I'd rather not introduce human moisture into that environment. So thanks for the DIY options. I will look at them. Don't mind the savings and I really don't have a need for a stuff sack the size of the schnozzle anyway.

Keep the pad and pump recommendations coming.

Will give it a try when the mat gets here. Great idea.

Franco, your DIY is pretty cool. But the Exped has a different type of valve so won't work in my situation. I do appreciate your response though.

The Schnozzle is a little spendy, but I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. I don't like blowing moisture into a pad, and the Schnozzle is incredibly fast and easy to use. It waterproofs my sleeping bag and camp clothes, too. Highly recommended.

I’ve been using the Instaflator since it first came out. Quick, easy and light.
The Web Site

I've used the BA IAC and the Neoair trekker. But the pad I've found that works best for me is the klymit static v pads. Don't let the small price tag and small thickness fool you. I've been very happy with mine. I'm a side sleeper and stomach sleeper FYI.

>> So I will also carry an 1/8" and/or 1/4" thick 24"x72" foam pads to supplement for the colder hikes.

That's my plan (w/ a NeoAir Trekker) even when it's not that cold. I don't bring any kind of chair or chair-kit, and hike in rocky terrain, so the foam pad can be draped against a rock to make a pretty nice recliner. It's also a good backup if the inflatable gets a leak.

I also dislike a tapered, narrow little pad and demand extreme comfort! I have tried a few options – the ThermaRest Pro Plus was great for cold weather, but still to small and thin for my taste.

I am currently using a Sea to Summit Ultralight Large @ 16oz along with two 1" open cell foam rectangular pads for a total of 4" of insane comfort. It's literally almost as cozy as my beloved Tuft & Needle at home and while bulky weighs in about 2.5lbs. 25" wide and basically the best thing ever.

The open cell foam actually compresses very well naked, and takes 30-40 min to expand. It does take a beating, but for short trips and costing only $15 easy to replace.

I'm in experimental stages of punching the mid layer and sewing a cover to reduce weight and increase durability and comfort.

Currently my entire sleep system is distributed across two StS 13L dry bags, along with my pillow and a Thermolite Extreme. Fine for bike or short hikes. For best portability I can fit the entire system minus one foam layer in a 13L dry bag, still extremely comfortable. So much better than a skinny Thermolite and just a tad heavier.

Maybe not hardcore UL, but as far as basically having an actual mattress in the woods it's pretty dang UL. :)

The wide Exped Pads are very comfortable. I just went through the process of swapping out my 3 season and winter pads from regulars to medium. I have tried tapered pads and never got on with them, the extra weight is well worth a good night's sleep.

I love my Exped UL7. I'll carry a thin foam pad as extra protection/backup. The Shnozzle pumpbag works great and weighs very little. I keep my sleeping clothes and socks in it to separate them from my dirty gear.

Okay, I watched Franco's video with the rubber band and garbage bag, and saw displayed to the side someone else's version, using cut-off spout of a water bottle with a washer glued inside screwed on to the bag. So I decided to tweak Franco's method and use a standard hose bib washer instead of a rubber band – it worked really well on my Xtherm. The washer is bright yellow, fits tightly around the spout with no fuss, and is harder to lose than a rubber band.

The Exped UL7 MW. Just right for a 5'9" person to have just a little extra pad length laying on their back and when stomach sleeping I am near the 6' length of this pad but it works.

Instead of buying a Schnozzle I used the cork trick. Just drill it out to a quarter inch or so and then connect a plastic grocery bad to it and it takes maybe 8-10 of these smaller sized bags to fill up the pad more than you'll probably sleep on it. And this weighs a total of 11.2 grams; the cork is right around 4 grams and the rest is bag/tape weight and a small rubber band to keep it small. That's a $40 savings and is about two ounces lighter than the Schnozzle.

The thing is, the schnozzle doubles as an excellent waterproof pack liner. It's also super light. So with that in mind, it's worth it, imo.

Thanks for the comment Jeff.