Do women ‘need’ a women’s pad?

Not that it really answers your question, but I am a 6'1" man and I fit on the womens's Xlite just fine. :) I bought it as I wanted a slightly shorter one and I sleep cold, so thought the women's one was the right balance. It does mean my head hangs off the end, but I use a stuff sack as a pillow anyway.

For Australian 3 season use I am sure your girl friend will find the XLite just fine. If at all worried get the Womens XLite with R3.9 rather than R3.2 rating. This work well to below freezing for anybody.

What' the lowest temps you'll face at night? We just got my wife the Xtherm, haven't used it yet. But a warm sleeping pad helps a LOT in staying warm at night, and that helps in the staying happy on the trail thing. I expect she'll use it year-round.

Hi, I don't have experience with the X-lite, but I am a female Aussie backpacker! I use the Synmat UL7 (have had it down to about -5*C OK so far) and love it – I've written a review with my thoughts on the review thread. Maybe consider that – I think it would be fine in snow with a foam pad underneath. I find the vertical baffles incredibly comfortable.

Also, if she is a cold sleeper, have you considered the Exped Downmat UL? I'm so, SO tempted to get one of these too…

Edit: As a fellow cold-sleeping female, I'll add – if in doubt, go warmer. I'm a bit of a girly-girl, and being cold on the trail makes me miserable!

I don't know how tall your gf is; I'm 5'8", and find sleeping (mostly on my side) very comfy on the women's Xlite (my feet dangle off the end if I do stretch out full length, but that seems just fine). I agree that the Xtherm is another good choice for a cold-sleeping female such as myself; a little heavier but more heavy duty on the bottom, so fewer worries about abrasion or puncture, and higher R-value.

I'm afraid so. All women are required to carry women's models pads. Any woman caught with a man's pad will be escorted out of the park.

It has to be said:
Don't buy her gear unless she approves of it, and tries it out.
It's like buying lingerie you think is hot looking but rides up her butt and is 2 sizes too small ;-)

A lot of women's gear is for us shorties. If she is over 5'5" it may not work.

Agree with everything Sarah said. Trying it out is important! I find a lot of women's gear too short for me, too.