Sleeping pad recommendations

I’m an unpadded side sleeper who highly values a good nights sleep. Only managed one good nights sleep on my zlite.

Xtherm works well for me, just got a 1/8th” gossermer gear thinlight pad to use with it for when punctures are a concern, or when a tad bit more insulation is desired.
Xtherm is 2.5″ thick, 430g, thinlight is ~75g (haven’t cut it down to match xtherm size).

(A regular zlite is 410g).

If I were to go with a closed cell mat, I’d make a franken mat and glue more foam into the hip area at first, then other places through trial and error.

Majority of my nights out lately (far too few :( ) have been on snow, hence the xtherm love.

I really think the xtherm is overall the best mat on the market, but it is expensive and if you’ve been getting along with a zlite you might not need the insulation.

2+ inch inflatable pads will most likely be best for side sleepers. Several hours of good sleep are more important to me than  1-2 minutes of blowing up a mattress.

Exped Synmat ul all the way, warm, light, very comfy, and a breeze to inflate with a snozzzle.

For me, the hassle of pad inflation was totally eliminated by a schnozzle or similar pump bag. Side benefit is no moisture in the pad.

66″ X 20″ XLite Women’s pad at R3.9 keeps this side sleeper comfortable and warm at 12.7 ounces on my scale.

XTherm or XLite is the way to go.

Add an Instaflator too.

Another vote for xlite. For short trips, I use a zrest underneath for puncture protection.

Full length foam pad and 3/4 length inflatable of some sort.

Versatile and proven combo for winter backpacking.

Test out a few inflatables in a store to figure out if you’re a horizontal baffle (neo air) or a vertical baffle (exped) kinda guy. One of those personal preference things.

The Multimat superlite air weighs 11.7 ounces including bag and repair kit. It takes me through 3 seasons in the Sierra. Can be supplemented with GG thinlite pads for more warmth. http://www.multimat.uk.com/store/products/superlite-air

I, too, am a side sleeper. Some nights, I’ve found that inflatables keep me awake (or from a sound sleep) because I feel like I’m teetering back and forth or a general feeling of instability. I’ve tried a bunch of inflatables. Protrail was certainly more stable feeling but didn’t provide enough cushion.  Xlite was too unstable. I fell off the sides occasionally. Klymit, Insulated Static V Lite felt pretty good. But, too heavy at over 20 ounces and the insulation doesn’t extend all the way to the sides. For ultimate comfort, I liked the synmat ul7 MW. The extra width is key if you like to turn over often.

I am a side sleeper and like the Exped Synmat UL and just got the Winterlite. I find they are most comfortable if I don’t inflate them too much. Usually to a point where when I sit down my butt will just barely touch the ground through the pad. Then when I lay down they cradle me nicely. If I have them too firm they feel much more unstable. The snozzzle is a must have accessory, very quick and easy to inflate the pad and gives you a dry bag inside your pack.

I took a Klymit Inercia O-Zone and made it a 2/3rds pad cut just below the hips.

I get an added pillow at only 8 ounces. It’s great for side sleeping and takes 5-6 breaths to blow up.

+1 for the XLite. I use a size small (3/4) in combination with a light CCF-pad for extra protection.
The 2015 Small weighs 202 grams (7.13 ounces) on my scale, without bag.

I can imagine if you’re a tall guy things might get uncomfortable with the small since it narrows near the end.

Thanks for the recommendations, everyone!  Looking forward to checking some of these pads out.  Stay well – happy holidays :)