Best ultralight sleep pad.

>"I did notice a thread the other day for something other than the Neo air.. i think people where buying it on Amazon for like $30-$60?"

Prob. POE Peak Elite AC.

For 3 seasons, I like my 3/4 length Thermarest Prolite. 10.7 oz, R 2.2, low volume deflated. Pretty tough and lifetime warranty. ~$80 full retail. Before that, I used the earlier generation Prolite, which weighed 3 oz more. Pad is about 1" thick, which is comfy enough for me.

Cheaper and lighter is a cut down blue CCF pad (or Ridgerest or Z-rest). Much higher volume, tho. If I remember right, you're trying to get all your gear for 2-3 days in a 22 liter pack, so CCF is prob. out.

For the price, weight and warmth, I'd be interested in trying a full-length Peak Elite one of these days. For me, a Neo-Air is luxury I don't need, no other added benefit over what I have, and money I'd rather spend elsewhere.

My 2 cents, as they say.

I just found the pad oi was talking about in the other pad thread floating around. I think i will go with the POE pad for now and order a Kooka bay for winter?

Anyone see any drawback to the POE pad brs. the Neo Air as price to me is not really a big deal. Mostly packed size and weight is a big deal to me.

Like i am having a really hard time not just going with Monte Bell ultra lite jacket vrs teh WM flash due to weight. It seems simple as i am a big believer in A jacket with a hood is not even close to as useful as a jacket with a hood. However that 3.3 oz is killing me lol as i can only save weight so many places carrying a Lighthouse and a Gregory 22 litter hydration pack..

But you can strap a CCF pad to the outside of your pack so it takes up 0 cubic inches of space inside ;)

"Anyone see any drawback to the POE pad brs. the Neo Air as price to me is not really a big deal. Mostly packed size and weight is a big deal to me."

If you look around you'll find a couple threads that discuss these 2 pads. As far as I can tell the consensus is that the POE pad is better all the way around. The vertical tubes tend to keep you on the pad, the material is quieter, it's warmer, it weighs less (listed weight is 14oz, but owners report ~12oz real weight) and on top of that it's about half the price of a NeoAir.

To me 'Best" means most comfort for the weight.

The POE is mummy shaped. The Neo Air and the Exped UL7 are rectangular. I hate mummy pads. I used one for a couple of years hoping I would learn to love it, but I toss and turn too much.

I just tried out my new Exped UL7 for 2 nights this weekend and I was very impressed. It's a little heavier than the POE, but if you need a rectangular pad, I don't think you can beat it.

I wish they made a large. If they don't get around to it, maybe I will need to look into the NeoAir all season once it comes out. Light, warm, and big = COMFORT :)

A Kookabay pad by Bender!

I also think the zlite was the lightest when I compared .. of course it has a larger packsize.. the next one, only a bit heavier would be the prolite

What packs smaller the POE pad or the Neo Air. I am pretty sure the Kooka Bay is the answer but i just dont have the time to wait.

For the >$100 price difference POE vs. Neo-Air, you can prob. find a pack that is lighter *and* more volume than the 26 oz, 22 liter Gregory you mention. Problem solved, plus you get a warmer pad, drop a few ounces, and maybe even save a few bucks in the bargain (esp. if you can sell/return the Gregory).

Plenty of UL runners here (I'm not one)–ask what pack they'd recommend.

But tbh i really am already feeling the 22 litters to be a bit bigger than i want it to be!! I would much prefer to pull this all off with like say a 12-18 litter pack max. I imagine next year after i get what i have all figured out and dialed in i should be able to pull that off? Not to mention lighten my load having a custom pack made up and traveling with just a bivy/net/tarp that i can string up in in trees.

I may be wrong but from what i can tell it looks to me like the POE pad packs smaller? It does not hurt either that it cost much less. On the other hand i have seen the Neo Air for as little as $100. Ok thats not $60 but it's only $40 we are talking about here ;)

One thing i can tell you is i will not be getting any bigger of a pack if anything it will be smaller.

There are tradeoffs with regards to pads. There are several things to consider:

1) Cost
2) Warmth
3) Weight
4) Bulk
5) Comfort

A closed cell pad is cheap, warm and weighs very little (for its warmth and weight). The NeoAir fits that sweet spot for pads (which is why it is so popular). It offers less bulk and more comfort (for most people) at only a small weight, warmth and cost penalty. Other pads are better at specific characteristics (such as a down filled pad being extremely warm for the weight) which makes them great choices for specific conditions (e. g. really cold weather). I can't think of any pad that I would consider "best" in the sense that it excels in all categories.

Never going down under 32% with a 32% bag and if size/packability was your second concern with weight being third whom would you all say wins out? For the most part i am looking for the smallest most ultralight weight pad that can take me to 32-40% max with a 32% bag.

Closed cell foam cut to torso length.

It's the lightest option, cheap, durable, worry-free, warm, no repair kits necessary.

I run and i don't want some thing flopping around on my back getting caught on fallen trees and loose limbs and the such. I kno wi am being very specific and a real PITA but this is what i am trying to do.

My concern is not to get one pad to do it all but to get two pads. One Kooka bay down mat for winter and then whatever we determine here for may through end of Sept.

+1 to Craig's post. Hard to beat a 3.5 oz pad for running or fastpacking. Run/hike till way past dark, set up tarp, throw down pad and bag, sleep. I have not had a problem with "flopping" for a shortie pad like this, and it creates a more rigid virtual frame for a frameless pack than an air pad does.

"I run and i don't want some thing flopping around on my back getting caught on fallen trees and loose limbs and the such."

I second Ike's second.

Try getting something as small as a GG Nightlight (http://gossamergear.com/sleeping/nightlight-sleeping-pad-torso-length.html) and keep it in your pack. Nothing to flop around (it'll actually add structure to your pack) and 1/5 the weight of any blow up. Works great for me when running.

Something to think about then. If i did wanna give this a try what pad would you suggest i start going to town on. I am pretty handy so i am sure i will not make a mess if i get a good one.

On the other hand if i go this route it is all about getting light so what pad is lightest and will keep me warm in 32% bag down to 32%?

Have you looked into gossamergear’s thinlight? Not as comfy as an air pad, but lighter, 5-6oz for thinlight and torsolight: Sleeping pads at gg

I have not as i was not considering a foam type pad as i wanted this in my bag. If the foam cost that little i may get one hack it up and see how i can make it fit and how it feels. Prob just go for a mock run local with a packed bag and the pad on the outside..

I just spent a few nights with the POE elite AC in size large. Mine is only 12.5 oz, which is super light for a 78" long pad. Its also quite comfortable and warm. Its rated to R4.4 in the torso and R2.2 in the feet, and it says on the box its good down to 15 deg. I haven't tested this yet at those temps, but I'd be comfortable taking it that low with my katabatic sawatch. I think if you are fastpacking and pushing high mileage days, than resting your muscles overnight becomes even more important. If you're pretty good about finding ergonomic campsites with lots of brush, then a nightlight could be enough (did this last summer till I had some back issues later on :( , but IMO the POE is worth the extra weight for the comfort and warmth. I'm pretty sure its the lightest warmest inflatable available, although some might say kookabay. It also packs down really small if you're carrying a low volume adventure style pack. If you're really oz counting, you could get the torso version, which if underspec like mine, would probably weigh around 7-8oz. Price ain't bad either. My 2 cents.

The POE half pad or the GG thinlight pad chopped seem like the way i will go. Thanks for the help guys!! I think i will start with the Thinlight give it a try and if it is not enough go for the POE torso pad.

Def ordering a Kooka bay down pad for winter as i am not messing around with being cold to save a 1lb or 2 off my winter kit..