Getting used to Xtherm SHORT (any tips?)

I tried to edit the title of this thread – just looking for some tips in general as
to what people are using as pillows/footrests and which parts of their bodies
they let hang off which end of the pad ;)

Try deflating the pad some.

I have also been thinking about this – pad is much thicker than my TAR prolite and thus rucksack under feet aint enough (and pillows are too thin)

when i sleep on my back it creates a concave curve that isnt comfortable (cause legs and head are lower than butt) – side sleeping is less of an issue

My current thoughts are:
1) taking some simple inflatable – eg one of my large drybags, children's floatie…the drybag I usually take anyway for my sleeping kit..but it just aint tall enough and i want it under my head as well. taking a floatie is just extra weight – might as well get a neoair long…
2)digging a bit under my butt – this in theory could compensate – haven't tried this yet but i can imagine this cannot be done in every soil type
3) gathering "stuff" eg leaves, small branches to put under my feet or even rocks in the rucksack

Would love to hear what other people are using
mike

I'm going to sacrifice an ounce or three and get a full length.

@Michael W – I totally agree if i would be looking at the xtherm and cold weather hiking – in that case I personally think its worth the extra….but for milder clims (eg im going to spanish sierra nevada in a couple of weeks and dont expect temp to drop below maybe 25F at worst ) i try to save weight and space and take short

admittedly with the neo air line the diff is small

M

try building up dirt, sand, leaves or whatever under you leg area before you put your groundsheet down.

also try putting the top opening of the pack over the bottom of the pad a little and then put your sit pad on the pack.

I think Ill try sleeping with my head an shoulders on the pad next time
and use EVERYTHING else I have (pants pack sit pad etc) under my lower legs.

Ill also try to find loam or sand as well.

I have been deflating the pad as much as possible without bottoming out.

The deal was good on this size – otherwise I wouldve bought the med/womens size ;)

You bought the short. It's short. I had the same problem. Plan in putting your head on the pad and not off and you'll be fine. That's the downside and maybe it makes more sense to buy a full length. I still have the short. We'll see. May go back to my prolite.

Here is my solution:

NeoAir XLite short
Kookabay inflatable pillow. I glued on two grosgrain tabs to the bottom corners of the pillow, and tie it on to the x-lite with a piece of cord a la the Katabatic Gear attachment system so that it doesn't fly off the pad.
I then put my ULA circuit sideways under the end of the pad, so that it goes under my calves.
I then put a 24"x20" piece of ridgerest on top of that.

Total system weight is about 12 oz, and I get a sit pad to use too.
The Circuit is thick enough, combined with the ridgerest, that it is even with the height of the NeoAir.

This is as comfortable for me as my wife's regular Neoair xlite (which is also 12 oz). Sometimes I just bring her pad instead if I don't want the sit pad.

I tried for several nights to do without the sit pad and just use the pack, but it was just too uncomfortable on my knees.