Hi All,
This is my first post here but hopefully you can help. I apologize in advance for writing a novella :) My husband and I are new to backpacking. We have curated a pretty lightweight setup, but so far on two nights out have had a really difficult time sleeping. We are happy with our tent (Lightheart Gear Duo). Our sleeping pad is the biggest issue. Our double quilt (EE Accomplice 20 degree) is pretty good – a bit too warm for summer, but we manage by not cinching it down and allowing air to circulate underneath.
Our current sleeping pad is the Exped Synmat HL Duo M. My husband is 6’1″ and approx 190 lbs, but I am small at 5′ and 115 lbs. We are both side sleepers that like sprawling out, particularly our legs, and we just need a bit more room to be able to sleep. I do generally expect an adjustment for sleepers like us, but am hoping pad options that are wider and perhaps longer might help. My husband says our pad is way too narrow and also too short, and likely won’t want to continue backpacking with me if we can’t find a more comfortable option (other than size we like the pad well enough). We are willing to sacrifice on the weight some, but weight is obviously of concern. Since we are side-sleepers, I am hesitant to try foam mats.
I am open to all suggestions, but particularly looking at advice on the following:
1) Exped Synmat HL DUO Long/Wide verison – this is mummy shape though
2) Exped Synmat UL Long/Wide times 2 – solves the taper issue but loses the convenience of one double pad
3) Exper Airmat HL Duo Long/.Wide version – similar to number 1 but lower R value – since we’ve generally been too warm in summer, that would be fine but we might need a warmer pad option for fall/early spring
4) NEMO Tensor Insulated( times 2) – anyone know if the Exped pump bag would be compatible with this? NEMO’s bag still requires using your breath and I like using air instead to minimize moisture inside the bag. The Vector model solves that issue but would be nearly a 20 oz jump from our current pad.
5) Big Agnes Q-Core SLX 25″ by 78″ size (times 2)
Lastly, any general advice on sprawling sleepers adjusting to the confines of a sleeping pad would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
