UL 3-season 2-person wide sleeping air pad

[J R]

There’s not much discussion on this and in looking around there’s not much to find. I’m hoping this thread can be a round-up of the latest choices for true 2-person air pads with enough insulation for 3-season use and weight that is approximately double what the UL 1-person choices are. And a minimum width of say 45″ — not everyone sleeps flat on their back immobile all night, and even rarer that both in a couple sleep this way.

Best I have found is the Big Agnes SLX at 50″ wide at the shoulders and weight of 42 oz. That’s pretty good, but still weighs considerably more than, for example, two Neoair Xlite long/wide pads. What else is out there? And why can’t it weigh closer to 32 oz, double the weight of two Neoair Xlite //w pads?

I am aware of the strap/velcro-two-pads-together solutions as well as the pad-sleeve solutions and not looking for those please.

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

There is the Exped SynMat Hyperlite Duo which is lighter (29.3oz) but narrower in the regular version (42″ tapering to 32″). They do sell a wide version that is 10″ wider (51″ tapering to 40″) and 78″ long. That weighs 38oz which is a bit lighter than the Big Agnes.

I’m also interested in a double wide pad like you describe (e.g. 45″ at the shoulders). The 29oz Exped is heavier than two XLite’s though, so hard to justify.

[J R]

Thanks Dan. Do you know if those spec’d weights include the Schnozzle bag that comes with it, or are those weights for just the pad?

[Chris R]

I think part of the problem is that the double pads are made to reduce disturbance when one person moves, the chambers on one side are independent of the other, some may have a separate valve as well as additional internal walls. All adds to the weight.

[Edward John M]

Have you tried using short mats laid crossways? That used to work for my then partner and I when we used 3/4 Thermarests, Velcro dots held them together

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

Pretty sure that’s just the weight of the pad.

[William Chilton]

One option is to join two single pads of your choice using Seam Grip reinforced with strategically placed tape.

[Aaron]

JR, my synmat HL duo LW weighs 41.1 oz total with pump bag and stuff sack

Edit – I lied, I think I got that weight online. I have not recorded the actual weight but IIRC it was more than listed. I can check this evening if I remember.

[J R]

Thanks all for the additional replies.

Appreciate the clarification, Dan.

Chris, I’m afraid I don’t buy the idea that the double pad must weigh more than two single pads due to chamber separation and additional valves, because two single pads also have two valves and also have walls on the inner side separating chambers. I do believe the additional weight has to do with the type of insulation used and the fact that two single tapered pad have tapering on a total of 4 sides (each side for each of two pads) while a single double-wide only tapers on the 2 outer edges, so a bit more material involved there.

Edward, good idea about short mats sideways, though I’m trying to avoid any gap between pads whether vertical or horizontal. Same thoughts about your suggestion, William.

Aaron, would be interested in what your true weight is on the Exped. Their site lists weight for the pad, pump and stuff sack separately and they do indeed add to 41.1, with 38.1 of that for the pad. Sounds like the pad alone might actually be 40-41.

Overall, it still sounds like there aren’t too many choices in UL double-wide pads, good to know what the options are. Ideal to me would be if TAR came out with a NeoAir Xlite double-wide but regular 72″ length, could be 50+” across the shoulders and taper to about 40″ at the feet and should weigh about 32 oz.

[Chris R]

Just spotted that the Exped Dou M is several cm wider at the foot than two single M mats. Wonder why they did that?

[J R]

Perhaps to fit the floor of one of their shelters? It does seem that some of the double-wide pads are designed to be a wall-to-wall match-up for one of the manufacturer’s tents.

[Aaron]

Ok, it’s 42.82 oz with pump and stuff sacks and repair kit. The repair kit is ~1/2 oz

[J R]

Thanks Aaron!

[Author]

Posts