Lighter sleeping pad

You might also want to look at the Nemo Tensor and Exped Synmat Hyperlite, which are similar in weight to the Neoair Xlite.

I’ve got the Exped, and it is not noisy at all. But I will admit, it’s a compromise compared to their Downmat and regular Synmat. The tapered shape isn’t as comfortable as their rectangular mats.

I don’t have any experience with the Tensor. It uses a similar technology as the Neoair, but I’ve heard that it’s not as noisy. I’ve also heard that the new Neoairs are quieter. But all this is second hand. I think you’ll find discussions of all these pads on BPL.

Lastly, if you don’t mind a pad just for your torso (and use your backpack or something else for your feet), the short Neoair comes in a half a pound and 48″ long. Personally, I put up with an extra 4-5 ounces for a full length pad, but it’s something to consider.

The 2015 model of the XLite is not noisy at all. I haved used one for +- 30 nights and I’m a sucker for noises I can’t control.

If you don’t need a lot of warmth (summer type temps), then a Kymlit Inertia X lite pad combined with a thinnish, cut down CCF EVA pad can be pretty low weight (8.5 to 13 oz range), but comfortable.  It’s warmer to put the CCF on top of the air pad, but obviously putting the CCF under the air pad protects it better.

The Neoair Trekker’s material is much quieter but it is also heavier. If you can work with the 3/4 length one (47″ x 25″) the weight is right at 13 oz. It is rectangular and therefore more stable for we tossy-turny types, and the extra width pretty much cures the annoying Dangling Elbow Syndrome.

I’m lucky to be a knuckle-dragging Neanderthal where this sleeping pad noise issue is concerned — it doesn’t bother me in the least. I’ve got a cut-down, old-school Neoair that is one of my most cherished pieces of gear at 10.4 oz, with identical dimensions as the 3/4 Trekker.

if yr happy with yr prolite just stick with it

a 16 oz pad is not exactly “heavy” if it works well for you … moving to something like a womens neo air only saves u around 3 oz … a nemo tensor 2.5 oz … a syn hyperlite 3.5 oz ….

you wont feel the weight difference one bit … not to mention prolites are VERY durable

now if your unhappy with yr mat beyond 2-3 spreadsheet ounces then go buy something you like

but dont feel compelled to get rid of something that you sleep just fine on because of some BPL pressure on a minor bit of weight

that money is better spent traveling or on some other gear

;)

d

I have a few sleeping pads but my Prolite 3/4 at 12 ounces gets the most use.  I agree with Eric.  If you don’t care for the Neoair, and aren’t comfortable sleeping on a CCF pad (I’m certainly not comfortable on one), your options are going to quickly dry up.

It’s always nice when I can figure out a way to shed 8 ounces off of my kit but that’s not enough weight to, quite literally, lose sleep over.

I’m not comfortable on a straight CCF pad either, but with a super light air pad (Klymit’s Inertia X lite weighs 6 oz) in combo, i’m plenty comfortable.

The above is what i’m using for upcoming CT trip.

I’ve used a slightly different and heavier, but otherwise very similar combo, for much colder temps and still was comfortable.  (two CCF pads, one 1/4th and one 1/16th, with the longer, bit heavier Klymit Inertia X frame sandwiched between them).

CCF never felt so comfortable. It’s hard to beat the durability, dependability, warmth per weight of these–they just need to be a little more comfortable and supportive for some of us.  The Inertia X lite pad is literally one breath and done too.  What i like most about the combo is especially for winter and more extreme cold temps, if something happens to happen to the air pad, i just lose some comfort, but not much heat loss all in all.

Thanks for the tips. I wanted to make sure there wasn’t something amazing out there that I was missing. Sounds like the best option, if I really want to save the weight on the pad, is to try the newer model Neoairs with less length. My last trip I did elevate my feet on my backpack, off the pad, and found that helpful and comfortable, so the 3/4 length might work for me. I might try that, or find 8 ounces somewhere else to cut.

I definitely need warmth; any camping trip up here can get to freezing temperatures, even in mid-summer. That Klymit inertia pad just doesn’t look very supportive, it actually looked like those twistie balloons sold in parks (you know, the ones shaped like poodles and such). I’d have to borrow one and try it before I’d spend money on it. Interesting idea though!

im not sure of your height or shoulder width … but the short neoair is ridiculously light and compact, and warm for the weight ..,,

thats probably the best bet to save weight, and increase the R value a bit …

you bet weight/R-value is the womens neo air while not much lighter is probably quite a bit warmer than the standard prolite and the standard neo air xlite

the problem for me is that my shoulders are to broad, and the neo air too high to use as the shoulders drop off … so im forced to use a large (wider) neo air, or a short prolite (thinner) or a short ridgerest

one other trick to use an insulated pillow to increase the effective length … i use a marmot down filled one that weights 2.5 oz or so and has a decent R value … with a short neo air though you lose an inch of the pillow height vs the short prolite

thermarest has the best warranty in the business … there are stories of folks sending in decade old thermarest prolites because of a leak and them sending back a new one

;)

I have a neoair xtherm which i think is the best sleeping pad you can buy. It has the mylar baffles for insulation. Some people complain about the noise, but it hasn’t bothered me one bit. I only roll over when I’m awake, so its not like the crinkle is waking me up. I suppose its really a personal thing. I don’t know how they could design the pad to make it quiet.

My XS Prolite is one of my favorite pieces of gear! I use a full length (sometimes torso length) 1/8″ ccf pad underneath. My pack goes under my legs when it’s colder/ harder ground, so maybe switching to torso length would save some weight if you are ok with it. Other wise like others said don’t fix it if it’s not broken!

Ben

I’ve been using Prolite for years.  Yeah, like eric says you won’t notice the weight savings with something lighter.

I like the almost rectangular 20″ x 72″.  Even on cold ground I can keep my feet and legs warm.

Once, I stupidly camped in what became a puddle 1/2 inch deep.  I just kept away from edge of pad.  Puddle drained by morning and I never got wet.

I think Big Agnes has some new ones out as well.

If you have arthritis issues and the current pad you have is working well for you at only 16 oz, I’d stick with it. A good night’s sleep is worth a few ounces.

Personally, I’ve ended up with a 20oz pad (went from a women’s Neoair that kept me awake all night with the crinkling to an Exped Downmat Lite 5 short at 18.7oz [quite like the warmth but it feels a tad narrow; I move around a lot when I sleep] to a Klymit Insulated Static V Lite at 20oz [3 inches wider]). It’s worth it to me to carry a little extra weight to get a good night’s sleep.

I have a Prolite 3/4 length, original Neoair (Rectangular Size Large), and a new Neoiar Xlite (Size Regular). Hands-down, I like the Neoair. The original’s “crinkle” has never bothered me, and the newest version is even quieter. Thermarest’s warranty is bomber too.

You might also consider the new Thermarest Evolite. The small (47″x20″) is only 12 oz. It is 2 inches thick, thicker than the Prolite you are using now. Depending on your size, as someone suggested, you can use a pillow above the pad and probably get close to staying having most of our body on the pad. I use a short pad and sleep on my side and my feet don’t hang off at all. A small CCF pad under my feet keeps them warm although they will dangle a little when I am on my back. I do not find it uncomfortable. A pack under your feet works great. This system should save some weight and keep you as comfortable as you are now.

Thermarest Evolite

Looks like a pretty neat concept… open cell Evazote? Self-inflator, 2″ thick, reasonable weight. Just wish to heck they’d make something wider in the elbow zone.

Wow, they come out with new products so frequently I can’t keep up with them! Reminds me of Tom Clancy novels in the ’80s—he could write ’em faster than I could read ’em.

Edit: well never mind, it’s been out a while and apparently has some, uhh…  issues… but there’s no accounting for individual care (or lack thereof) and product usage, so who knows? Might still be a good alternative for some.

Karen wrote,  “definitely need warmth; any camping trip up here can get to freezing temperatures, even in mid-summer. That Klymit inertia pad just doesn’t look very supportive, it actually looked like those twistie balloons sold in parks (you know, the ones shaped like poodles and such).”

It depends on how you use it.  If you put the CCF pad on top of the air pad, it’s more uniformly supportive and warmer.  However, if you use a sleeping bag vs a quilt, you can take advantage of the “loft pockets” of the air pad and put the CCF pad under the air pad.

My spouse has tried the Klymit Inertia X frame pad, and she wasn’t a huge fan, because she has large breasts and when she rolled over onto her stomach, they kind of got stuck in some of the open spaces.  But, she wasn’t using a sleeping bag nor was she putting CCF on top.  The lighter/smaller pad, has less open spaces.

As mentioned, this system can go pretty low too (i’ve used it down into high teens, low 20’s, but with 2 CCF pads in combo), but with a little extra weight.  But at that point, it’s probably more weight efficient to go with one of the newer Neoair type pads if the noise isn’t an issue.  However, if you get the Klymit pad on sale (as it’s been lately), it’s more cost effective to go with CCF + the above, especially if you get the foam from places that sell foam in bulk.

I’m always looking for the most cost effective and modifiable/flexible/adaptable systems that are also reasonably light weight, dependable, durable, and comfortable. (often requires out of the box thinking, and at least a little MYOG).

When I need real warmth, I just throw my 1/4″ Evazote pad over the Neoair. Hey-Presto, warm, comfortable pad.

Hi – A general durability question: what do folks think about 20d material such as used on ultra light pads like the Exped UL series and Nemo Tensor? Both pads sound like good, reasonably thick & lightweight pads for a tall & wide shouldered side sleeper (me); but the Exped UL7/9 series do have a fair number of reports of failure. As for the Tensor, I’ve looked but not much info out there – at least not yet. And while one is rarely provided much useful information in tales of failure ( size / weight of user being one…) as a large guy, it seems logical this must play a role. Thoughts about 20d? Exped do caution about 20d & give it a much shorter warranty but the choices are either this or much tougher & heavier 75d. Odd that they don’t offer something in between, which certainly appeals to me for more peace of mind. Thoughts about pad materials and a sweet spot for weight and durability?

peter …

it all depends where and in what you are using it

my xlite is 30D top and bottom … i generally use it in a tent with a groundsheet …

for times when i dont use a tent (open bivy) i use a prolite which is 50D or foam

i believe my older original neoair was 70D bottom as well and ive had no issue with that

with thinner denier pads its probably best to use em with a thicker groundsheet and spend time clearing the site of any twigs (which is not always possible especially at night in a storm)

if yr on rocky ground then a thicker denier pad, or a thin foam pad underneath might be better

;)

If you definitely need warmth, I’d stick with the full length pad. It’s not worth sacrificing a good night’s sleep for a few oz.
My feet never get cold with a 72″ insulated pad, and I always wear the same midweight socks for sleeping, even when pushing my bag or quilt’s rating by 30F with additional layers.
Back up a few years to when I used a 3/4 length pad all the time, and I was a “only my feet get cold” sleeper.

The cut down ZLite I use for a sitpad nowadays would have been a doubly welcome addition then, and, as John G. suggested, might be something to think about if you do want to try a shorter pad, since it can go under the feet, too.

Peter,

I’ve got some first-hand experience with the Tensor now, and the verdict is not good.  We just came back from 3 weeks on the CDT (about 200 miles at a slow pace) plus a canoe trip.  Both trips plus some car camping totaled to about 30 nights.  My girlfriend slept on a Tensor the whole time.  During the first week or two it got a slow leak (flat in about half an hour, easily patched).

Then during the next section, after about 20 nights or so, it got a more serious tear – she got up in the middle of the night to grab a snack and a 3 inch tear opened up immediately.  Not on the bottom of the pad (the ground was smooth at this site anyway), but on the top.  How it got started I’m not sure, but when it did it propogated quickly.  We patched the tear and gave the glue 24 hours to cure before inflating it, and it held for the next 3 nights. Nevertheless she was leery of continuing to use it and we ordered an Exped Airmat lite (75d fabric) to the hostel in Silverton and used that for the last few nights.  I’ve had a Downmat lite with the same fabrics for over a year now and have had zero issues.  I’ve gotten lazier and lazier with site selection, rock removal, etc.  It doesn’t seem to matter, which tells me that 75d is probably overkill – but I’ll take it over 20d.

It’s a shame, because the Nemo is a very comfortable pad.  Not as big of a deal for me but she finds it much more comfortable than any other design she’s tried.  If they made it in a 40 denier version, she would buy that in a heartbeat.  As it is, the pad is getting returned to REI.  The 3-inch gash could be a rare circumstance, or a likely result of using the pad on a long term basis.  Either way, going to 40d or 50d fabric wouldn’t add that much to the weight but would improve durability a lot, so I hope Nemo comes out with a heavier version at some point.  For now she’s going to give the Sea-to-Summit pads a try.

(As a general rule, when you double the denier of a fabric the tear strength usulally doubles as well, but the weight increases by only 30-40%.  Not true in all cases, but a good rule of thumb when considering these trade-offs).

Nick –

Thanks for that, much appreciated. As mentioned, I’m with your girlfriend on that one… ‘this porridge just right’ and all that.