Any decent REI brand sleeping pads for…

Caveat: I’ve never used one of these pads. But that’s hasn’t stopped others from offering opinions :-)

The R-value should be accurate; REI is one of the few pad makers with the $50K machine needed to measure pad insulation to the new ASTM standard.

2 inch thickness might be uncomfortable for a 200+ pound side sleeper. You’ll need to inflate the pad hard to keep from bottoming out (ouch) and losing insulation (burr) – and a hard pad is, um, hard to sleep on. I like 3 inch or thicker pads.

With almost half the reviews 1 or 2 stars, mostly complaining of leaks – I wouldn’t buy that pad on sale. Which it probably will be once REI comes out with the new and improved version.

Maybe use that coupon on the REI Camp Dreamer XL for car camping instead?

— Rex

I use the regular, wide REI Flash pad down to the mid-20’s and it works for me.  My quilt is the limiting factor for cold weather for me, not the pad. I use a warm Green Bay Packer’s hat, long underwear and clean wool socks.  I’m well over 200 and a side sleeper.  I do inflate it pretty hard, which is probably why it sprung a leak after only 2 years.  My son is 200+ and his leaked after about 10 nights.  A quick patch from the Sea-to-Summit patch kit did the trick on each of them.  I think that the weld location is just a natural stress point for the fabric.  I always carry the patch kit, so I’m set if it ever leaks again.

Just another data point:

Like Rex, I was put off by the number of reviewers complaining of leaks. But I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket and an Exped Schnozzle pump bag that wasn’t getting any use.  So when the Flash pads went on sale, I took a chance and bought a regular/regular.

So far. so good.  Something about the configuration of the baffles makes it more comfortable for me than pads that use vertical or horizontal baffles.  Still no leaks after a dozen or so uses.  The last time I used it was in early October, when temps fell into the mid-twenties.  I had brought a piece of closed-cell foam to use as a backup, but didn’t need to use it.

I’m a 145 lb side sleeper so YMMV.

Eric, another BPL member, is a winter camper who uses both the regular and all-season Flash pads.  I’m guessing he’ll chime in when he sees this thread

Thank-you!

As always, I appreciate everyone two cents!!! :)

.d