XTherm does the noise lessen later?

I stayed in a shelter with someone sleeping on the XTherm and it is really loud and annoying. I didn't know it was the pad at the time and I thought it was the rumbling of thunder and an incoming storm. When it came time to get a new pad I got the Exped Sym UL mat. Love it and very quiet.

I always chuckle a little bit at how sensitive everyone is when it comes to sleeping pads.

I often consider sleeping with no pad at all to save weight, and I couldn't care less about the noise from Tyvek ground sheets and Thermarests. I don't use a pillow when I camp. Am I that sound a sleeper?

I only use my Neo-Air for insulation, and I have not once noticed the noise. But judging by the construction and the reason for the noise, I would guess that it does not decrease over time. I honestly can't remember thinking of it once, though.

My NeoAir did not bother me when I used it the first time, when they came out. However, on a bp trip along the Lost Coast here in Kalifornia during the same week I first used it the night before our trip, one of the others in our group had a loud BA pad. I was in REI a few weeks ago and when I really needed to ask for help, no one was around.:) I got to squeeze one of the pads by Cascade Designs, not sure what model, but I'm guessing it had the same innards as a XTherm if it wasn't an actual XTherm. I guess I can pass for now as my small NeoAir and my old Exped Dam9 are still working, just looking to reduce my bulk and weight for winter snowcamping. I think I'll add a Gossamer Gear Nightlite to my winter pad for needed R-Value. I have a torso Nightlite, but I want to get another to use a section off of it to lengthen my first Nightlite instead of using my heavy blue ccf pad which also has too good of a memory when laying it under my bag and has less R-value I read on a chart.
Duane
PS: Another thought, no big deal with the noise I guess as most of my snowcamping is solo and the XTherm has a bit more R-value and user confidence. I can always use my Exped when with others.

I really don't notice it. But in winter I usually have a pair of foam earplugs to use because the winter wind will keep me up at night.

They do add a fraction of a gram though… ;-)

Well, I have an XLite and though the noise bothered me when I'm handling it at home or in the store, once I am on it in camp I don't notice it at all, oddly enough. I might notice a tent partner's noise, but my BF has a different pad. I've also heard others say that their NeoAir of whatever model does not bother them noise-wise when they are sleeping on it, so it may not be a problem for you either. I will be trying out a new XTherm at the GGG next weekend (since somebody posted a 40% off sale, I couldn't resist, even though I love the XLite).

Wait. There's another 40% off sale, or are you referring to the Eddie Bauer one a few months back?

It was the Eddie Bauer one a while back, yes.

Hi Debbie. Thanks for the input.
Duane

"I often consider sleeping with no pad at all to save weight, and I couldn't care less about the noise from Tyvek ground sheets and Thermarests. I don't use a pillow when I camp. Am I that sound a sleeper?"

No max, you're just really really young and your bones aren't a-creakin' just yet. Sleep on the ground a few more decades and you can hang around the rest of us fogies talking about our hips, backs, knees, bursitis, rheumatiz, and having to pee way too many times in the night…and wondering how some 20-ish year old whipper snapper can actually sleep on one of those CCF pads without breaking a hip…..