can this be ultralight?

Is there any reason that you’re using a pad designed for cold-weather in Texas? Moving to a Prolite 3 (and in Texas weather, a the half-length version) would save a good amount of weight on it’s own, with complete disregard for the other gear.

reason is: the sales guy at rei told me for an extra 10 dollars i could get an extra half inch of thickness. sounded good at the time. it will be hard to move down to a torso length or thinner pad after used this one, but the pad weighs 1lb 8oz so i really need to do something. thanks for the advice.

If you’re just looking for sleeping comfort, and not lots of insulation, you could try a insul-mat max thermo in a 3/4 length, 15 oz. They’re 2.5″ thick… better than any of the thermarests.

http://tinyurl.com/8hclg

I have the full length version, which I bought before the 3/4 came out. They’re the most comfortable pad I’ve ever tried, not the lightest, but not bad.

Ian

An uninsulated air mat could work for you in warm weather. This is what I use here in the Northwest. In cool weather I can always add a thin closed cell pad. You will save several ounces and quite a bit of bulk as well. The comfort of a thick cushy pad is hard to beat.
Montbell has one for 17 ozs. and $59.
Insulmat has one at 18 ozs.,$35 and a 3/4 length for 15 ozs. and $50. Big Agnes’s pad is 19 ozs., $50.
Tom

JT,

Here is an option for a shelter that meets your requirements for under 2 pounds.

Robert

Since you’re in Texas… and won’t need much or any insulation a lot of the time… a LuxuryLite cot might be another option. It’s not ultralight… but it’s lighter than the Prolite 4 long and it will be even more comfortable.

Also… you will have no problem adjusting to the 3/4 length. There is really no need to have padding under your feet. You probably won’t even notice. Also… those 3/4 pads are actually pretty long!

I live in Texas, too. Most of the time, it’s hot as Hades. Why use an insulating pad???

At the very minimum, an old-style air matress is cool enough to permit comfortable sleep much of the year. The best sleep is a hammock (with an underquilt when it gets cold). With a hammock, you can take a mid day siesta to avoid heat stroke in the summer.

And an enclosed tent? Whew!! Why not a bug tent with a big fly you can use as a wind sail?

Like Vick, I also live and hike in Texas.

From about now until October I won’t really carry any insulation at all. I can be VERY comfortable with a poncho as a shelter (pitched to catch breeze!)and a wind shirt & pants with a bug headnet as a bivy sack. My main concern is water (both quality & quantity). I can hike using only a fanny pack or a hydration pack most of the time. It is insulation that takes up all of the room in your pack.

Think about how free you would feel if you could pack all of your weekend gear into the pockets of a hunting vest and carry no pack at all!! In Texas it is possible most of the year.

Well I can suggest that you check Henry Shires’ tarptents at http://www.tarptent.com. You will find that many ligthweight packers own his “tents”. I have had the original Virga and now am the proud owner of the Rainbow. The Rainbow is one sweet tent. Check out the many posts on this site about it compelete with Pics. I can strongly second the many posts about using a air mattress from BG or Thermo Max. Just depends on whether you got old bones or like sinful comfort. Otherwise get the shortest and thinest thermarest-type mat you can.