Sleeping pad general and specific to UL backpack

Some UL packs do allow or require that mattress pad inside the back panel, or inside the main bag. Some UL packs are too small to allow much like that. YMMV.

I go with about 5 oz of closed cell pad.

–B.G.–

5 oz closed cell pad. Is this simply material, or a product you bought? What about R factor, thickness, and compressibility in pack vs compression while laying on it (basically comfort)?

I have one small 3-oz closed cell pad, and one small 2-oz closed cell pad. Each commercial product either rides on or in my pack. These are augmented with whatever warm clothing I have extra, and all that goes underneath the sleeping bag.

These are good enough for me in summer. For winter, I take a lot more.

–B.G.–

Could you save more weight somewhere else? Are you a back, side, or stomach sleeper?

17 oz is a little heavy for summer, but the thickness probably adds some comfort. If you'll be just as comfortable with 9 oz or less, then do it. A good night's rest is much more important than shaving 8 oz.

I have many of the pads you mentioned:
Ridgrest small: 9 oz
Prolite small: 11 oz
Exped Downmat 7: 32 oz (use for winter)

I'm a stomach and sometimes side sleeper. I don't notice much difference in the comfort of the Ridgerest vs. Prolite. Sometimes I think the Ridgerest might actually be more comfortable. I think this is due to it having actual padding, while the Prolite relies more on air and bottoms out when a hip or rip digs into it. I do like that the Prolite doesn't hang on the outside of my pack awkwardly though.

Having said all of this, I still might end up with the Exped as my summer pad eventually! :)

Thanks for the info. So fitting a closed cell foam pad can be more difficult due to volume. That makes sense. I'll have to think if buying the new prolite or the BPL pad will be worth it to shave those few extra ounces.

OK, this is what I found:

Current thermarest prolite4 short: (free :) )
47x20x1.5
17 oz
R3.2

New thermarest prolite x-small ($60)
36x20x1
8 oz
R2.2

BPL UL pad: ($76)
32x17x1
8-10 oz
R3-4

It looks like the BPL is worth considering but the new thermarest prolite is not. I'd rather keep that R value up I think. In the winter I add another thin closed cell foam pad below the thermarest to increase R value.

Any other input or suggestions?

I just bought a Pacific Outdoor Equipment Ether Elite 2/3 pad—20" x 48" x 2.5" weighing 10.75 oz. for $49.95 with free shipping from Intermountaintraders.com. It hasn't arrived yet so I can't tell you more.

But I can tell you that at this relatively low cost, I'm saving quite a few oz. over most of my other pads, while maintaining maximum summer comfort.

I use a Gossamer Gear NightLight torso pad. 3.7 oz, $16. Works for me.

I use a .25 inch thick closed pad to line my pack. This gives the pack structure to assist packing, helps to water proof my gear (I fold and tuck my tent over the top of the opening at top of pack so any water infiltration drains down sides), this rolled cylinder also helps to protect my expensive down gear from snags /punctures to pack while bushwhacking. I believe that any closed cell pad helps distribute point loads on the tent floor preventing punctures.

Have you considered the Thermarest NeoAir? A short NeoAir is 9oz and measures 20" x 47". It's thicker (2.5") than any of the other pads you're looking at, so it will likely be more comfortable for you. The R-value (2.5) is lower than what you're looking for, but IMO it's totally adequate for 3 season use. I've used mine even on snow in a few occasions with no troubles.

The neoair is certainly quite expensive. I guess I didn't see the weight on the small size, because they looked too heavy at first glance.

I think I prefer the feeling of foam to air. I haven't tried one, but in the picture, they remind me of those old blow up rafts you would use in the ocean. My gut feeling was that it looked uncomfortable, but again, I have yet to try one.

Oh boy- you couldn't be more wrong Zack! You run these air pads just slighly deflated and you sink in, giving you what is universally regarded as the most comfortable night's sleep possible in the backcountry. I've actually never tried a NeoAir but I have two Big Agnes air pads as well as two of the Exped Downmats. I also have the BPL torsolite and while it's great, it's nowhere near the comfort of the air pads.

I plan to grab a Neoair before the summer gets too far along- it's very highly regarded around here.

You can't beat foam for durability thought. A Gossamer Gear Nightlight with a couple of Advil PMs is another equation that equals restful night. It's lighter too!

Hmm. I'll have to consider it I guess. But, again, I do seem to sleep on my side and roll around a bit at night, so that could be my issue. :)

At home, I sleep on a Tempurpedic mattress, and that is heaven. Too bad they can't make a thin, lightweight version of that for backpacking.

My big concern besides comfort and weight, is R value. I've been quite cold when the ground is cold, and I hate how fitful my sleeping is when I am cold at night. I think I will need to buy a closed cell foam pad to go under whatever else I buy that extends to the feet so that I don't lose warmth to the ground. I will admit as well that to pay twice as much for less R value and same weight/slightly heavier, is hard to stomach unless it is amazingly more comfortable.

It's a tricky decision. I guess I need to get out to a store and try the neoair before making a decision. If I buy from REI, I can always exchange it later on if I don't like it.

> A Gossamer Gear Nightlight with a couple of
> Advil PMs is another equation that equals restful night.

Until the Advil wear off:-)

I used to be fine on the standard 1/2" closed cell foam pad, but not any more.
The more I sleep on the closed cel pads the more pain I suffer and the less quality sleep I get.

Of course that is me and I suffer joint issues. Stick with the closed cell pads as long as you can, they are less hassle, more durable and can be used to stiffen your frameless pack.

Zack if you sleep on your side and roll around, I don't see how you can be comfortable on small and narrow pads.

If I have to sleep on the ground (mostly hammocking now), I use a size L ridgerest, cut to length, but leaving the width .

Cheap, still light, and that extra width is the only thing that keeps my bag off the ground. Not much use as a frame in a UL pack, but I use a GG Sitlite pad for that, and it doubles as camp seat and extra insulation for my bottom if it gets colder than expected.

Maybe not the popular choice, but on the flip side, I never have enough extra stuff in my pack for insulation under the rest o me with a half or 3/4 pad, so I think I saved the weight elsewhere.

Personally, more than pack weight, the secret to getting a great hike in the next day, is sleep. Although I didn't realize it until I finally started getting good sleep on the trail.

If it's cold, combining a thin foam pad with an air pad can be great. Or you could go with an Exped Downmat- you'll always be warm with this one- it's my go-to cold and winter pad.

Best of luck!

Doug

Agree with Doug.

Better to have a regular use (Neoair works well) and then a cold weather pad (Exped Downmat well worth the weight). It took me a long time to figure this out for myself. Both pads are really comfy. The Downmat keeps me so much warmer when it's cold and, for me, I require less bag/quilt.

I had never heard of that. I will have to check it out. Thank you.

Agree with Doug and Matthew

The NeoAir is far more comfy for me than any other pad I've tried. I just add a GG thinlite (2oz, doubled over) for colder trips. More costly still is to have a separate insulated mat for winter.

I also agree that you are unlikely to sleep well on any of the torso sized pads if you are a side/tossing/turning style sleeper.

I'm 6'4" and about 185lbs. I'm a side sleeper. I can't do torso sized pads. It just doesn't work for me. My gear is easily under 6lbs even with a nearly a pound of camera gear. I decided a long time ago that sleep is the most important thing.

I was using a NeoAir size regular for 3 season use. I gave up on it. It just wasn't working. The problem was that it was too narrow. I hated to go up in weight, but I'm now using the NeoAir size large. The extra length and width is well worth the extra 5 ounces.

I'm only 5'11" and about 170lbs. I will sometimes roll off or slide off the pad, but usually wake up and reposition. I'm not sure a couple more inches will make a big difference. Sometimes I even wake up with my sleeping bag rotated around my body 90 degrees. :(