Pad Help – Uncomfortable nights

Have you looked at the Big agnes double z? It's 4" thick and the large is 25" wide.

Sean,
I've got the Klymit Insulated Static V. Same design as the uninsulated Static V except that it's significantly warmer, a bit heavier, and a different color. I haven't been able to put tons of nights on it yet, but my initial impressions are quite positive. The pad is about 23" wide when fully inflated, and I find this width to be just about right. Compared to the effective width of 19" that you get with a NeoAir, to the full 23" width of the Static V is like night and day. Also, every single inch of width is useable. It doesn't collapse on it's edges like the NeoAir. I am 5'10" and the length of the Static V is perfect for me. I'd say that anyone 6' or under should like the length.

A few other pros of this pad are:

– It inflates with much fewer breaths than a comparably sized NeoAir or Synmat UL 7. I can inflate mine with 16 breaths in less than 2 minutes.

– It is super stable. The design of the air chambers makes it feel more like a bedding mat and less like an inflatable pool toy. It doesn't try to squirrel out from under you like other air mats I've tried (e.g. Synmat UL 7, NeoAir, etc.). The fishbone lamination designs makes the entire pad quite flexible, not straight on taught like many other inflatables. This seems to make a world of difference in the way the pad behaves when it's under you. It's simply not finicky at all.

– It is very comfortable.

– It is more durable than many competing pads. It feels quite robust, and I just don't feel the need to worry about popping or puncturing it.

– It's not actually that much heavier than other comparably sized inflatable pads. Mine weighs in at about 24 ounces (remember, it's the insulated version with a very high R-value of 4.4). The closest comparable pad to it in my opinion is the Exped Synmat UL 7 in the Medium Wide size, which weighs 19-ish ounces. So for an extra 5 ounces I'm getting a pad that is significantly warmer and significantly more durable. Not too shabby.

– It's about half the cost of a NeoAir!

– It's quiet as a mouse.

– The fabric feels nice against the skin. Not plasticy feeling at all.

My advice is to check one out and see if you like it.

David–

I've slept in older self inflating pads, granted that was 15+ years ago, and I don't remember having much difficulty so that may be an option as well. Not much of a weight savings but a good nights rest is worth the extra weight penalty.

Tom–

While I could as you mentioned purchase it from REI I hesitate to spend $170 on any pad regardless of how well I like it, call me cheap. However if I find a good deal on it I am open to giving it a try. I am intrigued regarding the Montbell UL comfort system I will have to research that option a little bit more.

Sam–

I will have to give the Nemo Zor an extended look as well as I hadn't previously heard of that one.

Heath–

I haven't tried the BA double z but I did take a look at it and I don't think its for me. I think this conversation allowed me to realized that air mattresses just might not be for me and that I need something different in that category regardless of weight penalty.

Derek–

I like the Static from what I've read and at that price point I would be willing to take a chance on it despite just saying that I may be done with air mattresses. It would be great if I could find one as the weight savings is tremendous even over a regular CCF pad which is in the 14oz range (TR Zlite).

Ultimately it looks like I have some research to do as I have plenty of options thanks to all of you, once I factor in all of the variables I just need to make the leap and spend a few nights sleeping on it whether out in the wild or at home. Ill see if I can get a deal on one of them or maybe even used to get a general idea, I will keep the thread updated. Thanks again!

"While I could as you mentioned purchase it from REI I hesitate to spend $170 on any pad regardless of how well I like it, call me cheap. However if I find a good deal on it I am open to giving it a try."

Nah, I'd just call you careful about how you spend your money. It's a legitimate concern. If the pad interests you at all, keep an eye out for one of their periodic 20 or 25% off one item sales. It might make sense then, or might not.

"I am intrigued regarding the Montbell UL comfort system I will have to research that option a little bit more."

I used that for years before my aching old bones finally demanded a cushier ride, hence the UL 7. The comfort system 90, mated with the pillow from the same series, makes a tight little package for ~12 oz. total. I'm still using that pillow with my UL 7. Also very durable.

"I hesitate to dish out $170+ for a new mat that I may or may not like."

I feel the same way and recently bought a TaR NeoAir Trekker instead of a regular NeoAir XLite. The XLite is lighter but it's not quite a direct comparison; this lightness comes from its fabric and its mummy shape. The biggest difference is price, though. I picked up a Trekker on sale for around $90.00+, something that makes this gear investment more reasonable, especially for something fragile.

A comparison:

Trekker (regular) = 17 oz / 3.0 R-value / 50D top + 70D bottom
XLite (regular) = 12 oz / 3.2 R-value / 30D fabric top + bottom
Exped SynMat UL 7 (medium) = 16 oz / 3.1 R-Value / 20D top + bottom

I do think a rectangular pad is a little more comfortable as a side or stomach sleeper with that extra room to have an arm under your head or bring your legs up a bit. Also, I may be full of s*$# because, while I didn't want to pay too much for a pad, I had no problem paying for a cuben shelter! And, if I was doing a thru-hike, I'd go as light as possible. Good luck deciding!

"I hesitate to dish out $170+ for a new mat that I may or may not like."

Regardless of what type of mat you choose, one thing to remember about TAR (and all Cascade products) is that they will replace any product that fails…fo evah! You buy it once and never again, unless you are responsible for destroying it :)

When my original neoair developed a slow leak (many of them it turns out) it was replaced, no questions asked, with the newest xLite. MSR recently replaced the fly on my 2005 Hubba for the second time…that's right, they replaced the replacement! Platypus replaced the entire hydration bladder system because the hose began to delaminate.

For my money, Cascade products are well worth the high initial cost. Great products. Better customer service.

I'm a tall guy, 6'3" and 190, and love the UL7 LW. For me, it's worth the weight. The larger outside tubes keep you on the mat, and with it slightly under inflated it's the most comfortable thing ever.

yep. I even BOUGHT a second one, after my wife pinched my review unit!

Cheers

I used the UL7 for 3 years and really liked it. Over time, however, I found that it would lose it's ability to prevent conductive head loss. I used a pump to pump it up so the insulation should have still been good (although synthetic insulation does degrade over time). Maybe it is an advancing age thing….

I went to a NeoAir (Woman's version for the higher R value). I find that it is overall more comfortable as a side sleeper and as well, functionally warmer for me. I had a first generation NeoAir that was a disaster from a durability perspective (leaking at the valve stem) but this one is much better.

I've gone from CCF mats to Thermarest Prolite self-inflating mats to a Exped Synmat UL7 2 years ago. I won't sleep on anything else now.

I’ve had great luck with the Nemo Tensor Insulated.  It’s 3.5″ thick so my shoulder isn’t crunched into the ground, very comfortable and warm, and the regular wide weighs 1 lb 3 oz.  The mummy was 14 oz (I think).  For the comfort that extra few ounces is worth it for me.  Maybe I’ll try a CCF sometime, but I dearly love the Tensor

Necro’ed a topic from 2014.  :-D