YASST yet another side sleeper thread

If weight is not an issue, double- or triple-up on whatever has worked best so far, or try combinations (self-inflating over a closed cell, etc.) until you find something that works. Fabricate some simple straps to hold the stack together.

We are both side sleepers and find the 2-1/2 inch thick Big Agnes Insulated Air Core pads to be ideal. They are much heavier than my old Ridgerest pad, but the added comfort is worth the weight penalty, especially on long, multi-day treks. A good night's sleep makes a lot of difference in your attitude and performance.

"3. Air mat bouncy and feels like she will roll off even partially deflated."

My POE Ether air mattress looks nearly flat when I'm off it.
While on my side, with my head on a pillow, I let out air until I feel a hip starting to nudge the ground. Yet if I "re-test" it while on my back it still feels overfilled….but I really don't spend any time there, so based on the "contact" test I know it will be OK for a good nights sleep.

Maybe give it one more try.

Jeremy,
Do what any good Texan would do: keep feeding her beers until she passes out in her lawn chair. Ah, silence at last!
Just kidding. :)

Seriously, I second Bob's suggestion. I get my best sleep in the winter when I combine a self-inflating pad on top of closed cell pad. Best of both worlds! In the summer, I only carry my RidgeRest. When the temp drops, I add my GuideLite (basically a 4' version of the TrailLite). I'm sure the temp has some value, but I'm most comfortable when I have both pads under me. FWIW, I'm a restless sleeper, aka part-time side sleeper.

Jeremy
I used to slide/roll off foam and self inflaters, but since I have switched to inflatables ( PO Insulmat and Exped Downmat) that has stopped. Like others do, the mat is not fully inflated so the sides are higher than the middle, forcing me to stay there. I cannot think of an easier solution.
There is a foam mat (non branded) that has an egg create surface (like Evazote) on top of a thin harder layer that works for me in summer (both for warmth and comfort) but it is bigger than my pack (almost…)
Franco

Thermarest self inflator's come in 2.5" versions that aren't bouncy. There are 2 versions, the "trail-pro version is much lighter than the car-camping version (thinner cover materials & cross-cored foam). My wife liked it better than the 3" REI self inflator since the cross-cored foam was much cushier. She also liked the air-mat when she let the air out until her hip almost touched the ground – but opted to carry the 1.5 lbs of extra weight to not have to inflate the Big Agnes.

However, she still wasn't perfectly comfortable – since her lower back wasn't supported (ie: she curves more than 2.5" at the waist). The solution for her, was to lay her fleece jacket across the pad at the waist. ie: Contour the top of the pad, rather than the ground.

I also side-sleep and get sore shoulder, hips and knees on a 1.5" inflatable (no forest duff in most areas I camp). I'm thinking of trying a 48" 1.5" thick self inflator on top of a foam ridge rest pad. I'm hoping to get weight savings, faster set-up / packing, and use of the foam pad during breaks / meals, etc. Can anyone comment on how comfortable the combination is in comparison to a 2.5" inflateable ?

Car camp with a really big mattress from home.
Do day hikes from there.

I'm a side-sleeper. Overall, my base weight is around 15 pounds–but I carry a 1# 15oz Thermarest Womens Trail Pro for its 2" thickness and comfort. If I'm feeling like I need some extra comfort, I carry a 3/4 length ridge rest to put under it. The ridge rest works great as an around camp seat too. Someone else I know gets the longer length ridge rests and folds them in half to get double the padding…

“My next thought:

1. Really thick open cell foam, perhaps a couple layers of cheap egg-crate mattress topper with a waterproof sleeve if needed.

Any thoughts? Even heavy ones?”

My random thoughts:

I even have a hard time on the air mattress pads. No matter how much air is let out, the outer skin is still hard when laid on. But I just think I’m in the minority on this (with my wife and youngest daughter). Plus it changes pressure w/ temperature during the night.

My wife is a side sleeper. She solved her problem w/ a Woman’s Prolite 4 (24oz. most comfy backpacking pad I have ever been on) and a solid 17x48x2” open cell foam pad (10 oz). Now her sleeping setup feels like the home bed. It has a nice total high R value. She doesn’t carry the whole thing; Hubby will carry her prolite 4 and she will carry the open cell foam. The things husbands do…

We bought the open cell pad at a bed-making store/factory we found in Springfield IL.

We tried closed cell foam combos with the prolite but in the end, the 2” open cell foam was the most comfy.

I even have a little 3.5oz egg crate open cell mat (15x19x1.5”) that I bring once in a while to put on my mat, under my torso; big difference in comfort (and it adds warmth).

Testing sleeping pads will take a lot of 8-hour experimenting; 3-days preferred.

Good luck,
-Barry