What sleeping mat?

[marcelo mora]

I was thinking of a GG nightlight
http://gossamergear.com/sleeping/nightlight-sleeping-pad-torso-length.html

or a TAR ridgerest solite, but im afraid of the volume it will take http://www.rei.com/product/810386/therm-a-rest-ridgerest-solite-sleeping-pad-

and a 99cent car reflector for the rest of my legs and sit pad and for cooking and laying my gear on.

What system do you use? I will be using this for a Zion trip in June.

[Dale Wambaugh]

I like the Thermarest Prolite small for a torso length pad, as much for the compact size as the weight. I do like to take a sit pad, which supplements the length.

[Aaron D]

I use a Wide SOlite that I cut down to a mummy/torso length. I am going to pair it with the 1/8" GG Thinlight . About 14oz total for this system, R value close to 4, and pretty comfortable. No inflating, no leaks, great pack frame. 24" wide at my shoulders.

[marcelo mora]

Yes comfort is also the question. I want to try to stick to closed foam cell for multiple reasons, even though I know that pads are way more comfortable. I want to try to stick to the closed foam since it has more uses for it, and it's lighter, quicker, and way more durable. Also don't forget.. much much cheaper.

[Dale Wambaugh]

The issue with a CCF pad is bulk. They are less expensive and relatable. IMHO, they are about the same comfort level as the thinner self inflating pads like the Prolite.

The Thermarest Z-rest is easy to manage and can be easily shortened. It can be packed completely folded as designed, or folded to suit the back panel of a frameless pack. Do fiddle with the folding schemes to suit your pack before doing surgery.

[dirtbag]

I love GG nightlight pad. I sometimes pair it with thermarest SOL pad

[Owen McMurrey]

"Yes comfort is also the question. I want to try to stick to closed foam cell for multiple reasons, even though I know that pads are way more comfortable."
If you can't sleep comfortably on a CCF pad, all that other stuff doesn't mean much.
I sleep fine in summer on a 6.6oz Klymit Inertia XLite Recon with my pack under my feet. Tiny packed size, and can be combined with a Thermarest Z-Lite small for r-value when needed(though I'm trying the ProLite small for ease of use with a quilt in intermediate temps).
Haven't tried it, but I also like the idea of a 1/8" Thinlight cut down to 2/3 length to match the XLite. Add a bit of warmth and protection for the inflatable, fold it up to use for a sitpad, etc. $16, and should be <2oz when cut to ~40".
That would be a sub-9oz combo with multiple uses, lighter weight, smaller packed size, and more comfort than a Z-Lite small.

[Matt Dirksen]

Although it's likely the same as GG's Thinlight:

I've been enjoying Lawson's 20x48x1/8 EVA foam pad. It is extremely fold-able and malleable, so I have been able to use it for a variety of purposes beyond just sleeping on it. I simply fold it in half with my sleeping bag tucked in it, and roll the whole thing up like a burrito.

I have recently found that laying it over top of my NeoAir adds an enormous amount of firmness to the system which greatly helps my side sleeping habit. (It is also always better to have the higher r-value items closer to the core.)

It's 2.3 oz and apparently R-.75, which translates to R-6 per inch. And it's easy to simply add a second one if you want some extra comfort/insulation.

[marcelo mora]

I Think I might get one of those pads just because they do free shipping.

[marcelo mora]

The gg night lite pad seems more tempting now.. I just bought a gg kumo and just used the sitpad to sleep on with a car reflector under it and I slept fine! Granted..I was on sand, so I know that helped. Anyone else have any experience on the gg nite lite?

[Edward Jursek]

DIY bed of carbon fiber nails. A bit heavier then a CCF pad, but wayyyyy less comfortable!

[James Marco]

I used a NightLite pad, cut down and taped with interlocking bumps, for about 5 years.
It works OK. As I got a bit older, I got a NeoAir and never looked back. WAY more comfortable…as comfortable as my bed at home! Anyway, the cutdown nightlite was about 51" long and ~20 wide. I still use it for short 2 or 3 day trips. An R2.3 or so is what it had for insulation. It does go flat, though. Mine used to fold up at 2.25 inches. It now folds up to about 1.75 inches. Edges are worse. It was also lighter than the current versions. It *just* fit into the GG pad keepers so there was no extra bulk. I removed part of the tape to use it as a two layer pad with my Murmur. I carried this for 1 and 2 week trips into the ADK's. (I also carried the NeoAir.) It worked as well as any CCF pad, better due to the extra thickness of the bumps. Nunatac still carries these longer Luna pads which are nearly identical to the old ones. http://www.nunatakusa.com/site07/accessories/lunapad.htm

[Nick Gatel]

Age

<21 = Sleep on ground

21-30 = 1/8" foam pad

31-40 = 1/4" foam pad

41-50 = 3/8" foam pad

51-60 = ProLite or similar self-inflator

60+ = NeoAir or anything you are willing to carry

[Dylan Atkinson]

I always felt older than I actually was. My trajectory is frightening though – at a mere 26 i'm already in the 51-60 range. Is this my future?

[Logan K]

Once upon a time, I skimped on everything and reduced as much as I thought possible for a trip. I made weight at 5.5 pounds skin out, but shivered and didn't sleep for a week in July in Maine. My pad was the GG 1/8 inch thinlight, and it was a mistake (my quilt was 10 oz).

Then, to rub salt in the wound, Ryan Jordan published the article called "Stupidlight" and I knew that that was me.

One thing he said that really resonated and fired off a round of "I told you so's" was the we spend the most time sleeping of the various activities associated with backpacking, so why do we cut way back on sleeping gear.

Since then I go with a little luxury in the sleeping category (Neoair X-Lite) and still make weight at 7 pounds with a 1 pound quilt.

Hope this helps,

Logan

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