Sleeping Pad: Regular vs. Long (Rookie Question)

This would probably be better suited to the gear section, but I can answer your question.

The problem with neoairs in my experience is the edges collapse very easily under weight. This essentially makes the pad act thinner and shorter than it actually is. I'm not sure how you don't find the regular width a problem, because I am about your size (6'2, 205 athletic build) and I find the regular width in the original to be too thin when on my back (my arms fall off) and WAY too thin for side sleeping (which is how I sleep).

I went with an exped ul 7 to replace the original neoair (The edges of the exped do not collapse so it feels much bigger than the neoair). It was between that and an xlite large. I didn't consider the xlite regular due to my experience with the original neoair.

In summary: If you can try a regular go for it, but I would be very surprised if it is worth the lost weight for people our size.

I also went from the NeoAir to the Exped Synmat 7 UL. I am 6', 240 lbs and use the L/W (77×25). For the extra weight, about 3-4 oz I believe, the Exped is an absolute dream pad. Very thick, very comfortable to the skin, and it doesn't crinkle like the NeoAirs. I also like the extra width so my arms stay on the pad when on my back and don't fall to the ground. Surprising how much that made a difference in my sleep patterns.

In my opinion yes it is worth the weight savings to go with the smaller pad. The L/W is huge.

FWIW, the Exped Synmat UL 7 that the other posters are suggesting weighs quite a bit at 21 oz. in the size they suggest I didn't find it to be worth the extra weight at all.

All a matter of personal preference though so YMMV.

I 6'1" and use a neo air. If you sleep on your stomach, your feet will extend also, and may do so a bit in other positions too. So the effective length of your body while sleeping is likely longer than your height. So if you go with a 72" mat, you'll either have to deal with the discomfort of your feet hanging off or need a thicker pillow to allow your head to extend beyond the mat. That may add pillow weight and you may not save overall. If you sometimes sleep with your hands near your head, they probably won't be on the pillow or mat which is also not comfortable.

I am the same height and weight as you, Garrett. I just switched from a large pad to a regular. My feet DO hang off the end, especially if I roll onto my stomach. To remedy that, I put my small foam sit pad at the end of my sleeping pad. Works great.

Its a very personal preference. One advantage I see to the XL pad is use on wet ground. I mostly use a trailstar tarp. If setting up on wet ground, the larger raised area is nice to keep you and your quilt a little drier. If you camp in a dry area or in a floored tent, it might not matter.

Just as a side note, I was recommending the UL 7 Medium, not L/W.

I was saying that in terms of useable size, it goes neoair ul7 L/W > xlite large >= ul7 medium > xlite regular.

Although I did make it pretty clear if you are a smaller man and/or a back sleeper you might get away with the regular size neoair. If the regular neoair is too small for you, the exped regular acts wider and longer, is more comfortable (in my experience), and is only 3-4 oz heavier than an xlite regular (and equal to or lighter than an xlite large).

If the exped could have the neoair insulation inside it would be the perfect pad IMO.

It's mostly a personal preference. I'm 6'5" and don't need a long because I'm a side sleeper–I'm shorter in the fetal position. For my brief minutes of back time, my sit pad insulates under my feet. FWIW, I think side sleepers can get by with narrower mats, too.

When I was young, a 1/4" ensolite pad was plenty, and when the thermarest came out it was crazy luxurious. Now my old bones have a harder time on the ground, and I need to have 3" of air under me, so when I turn on my side my hips and shoulders don't bottom out. I don't have the height issue, and on my side my legs are bent a little anyway. Its all just personal preference and comfort vs weight. Vitamin I (iboprofin) makes any sleeping pad work better.