neoair + backpack as sleeping pad

Review? What does that have to do with being the first kid on the block with a new toy?

Lynn,
I use a torso pad and my pack under my legs during all seasons.
Winter is a DM 7 short with ULA Arctic Drypack
Summer is MB90 or GG Torso Length with SMD Essence/Zpack Blast

In fact, I would never consider using a full length! You should give it a try, you may be surprised. You'll find that this 2" drop is not as bad as you think and you may be like me and many others who don't even notice it. As Rick mentions, the pad will deflect a bit at the bottom and in reality, the back of your thighs and calves really don't put a lot of pressure on the pad. Your bum and ankles will do the most part. I sometime put my shoes behind my knees to give them a little bend (simulates a pillow) and relives pressure. Other then that, I just stuff my backpack full of whatever I have. Pots, stove, clothes…don't have anything extra? try leaves or pine needles – ultra cushy!

That said, I have buddies who I camp with that bring full length pads for winter and summer and think I'm crazy for doing the half pad thing, so you'll have to try it!

Lynn,

While I'm considering purchasing the large NeoAir, as I posted earlier, I currently use half-length air mattress and have absolutely no problem with the length. I don't even notice any drop-off. My perfect pad would be 48" long by 24" wide! Too bad they don't exist :-(

Well Roger, did you find a funny?

Roger – quit taunting us! How "funny" could it be? It inflates to 2.5 inches thick, it's light, and you lay on it, right? Other than not being that warm, what could be bad? I suppose leaky valves or whatever, but you'd think CD has that crap figured out.

"Wait for the Review – it's coming. You never know what funnies might be found."

Come on…a Cascade Designs / MSR first year product with 'funnies?' Impossible (ignoring the Hyperflow and Reactor of course).

Looking forward to this one.

I've had my 66" on pre-order from Back Country Gear since January 7th. They'll be shipping it when it arrives in April. I've been using a 66" Prolite 3 for several years. Now I'll be in side sleeper heaven.

For a pillow, I got one of the Sleep Cell "Camp Air Pillows", $5.88 from WalMart, that Joe Clement posted about. I'll be leaving the bladder at home and stuffing the case with the memory foam pad and my Luxurylite cylinders.

look herehttp://www.backpacking.net/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=110911

so when will a review be coming out???

either way, I'm looking forward to trying one. I need the extra cushioning and at the same weight as my chopped up Z-lite… how can I resist? I'll go for the 47", since I just use my backpack or anything to stuff under my feet when my feet get cold anyhow.

Thanks for your responses everyone. Seems like it is very much a personal thing.

Other than the weight, I think the horizontal baffles on the neoair are going to be great. Being rectangular is great too… makes it easier to attach a pillow and footpad if necessary, plus my feet are less likely to slip off during the night (as sometimes happens on my full length mummy pad).

The report Ken linked to seems very positive — hopefully everyone else will love theirs just as much. I think it will be worth the money if it delivers what it promises.