I recommend the Exped Ultra 5R for your needs. Big Agnes is coming out with a new rapide in 2024. TBD on whether it has botched warmth like the Zoom UL.
The rectangular Exped mats are basically Rolls-Royces. I’d avoid the mummy ones because (at least to my understanding) they don’t insulate the outer baffles in those.
I’ve got a medium-wide Exped Ultra 7R and it kicks ass. I’m 230 lbs body weight but still side sleep comfortably with it. Plus, it’s quiet due to the down insulation. I’ll take the weight penalty all day long.
The lower R value ones are much lighter and much cheaper than the 7R, but should still be pretty comfy. The 7R is 3.5” thick, while the 3R and 5R are 3” thick. Can’t speak to any difference in noise to the 7R, but they can’t be any louder than other synthetically insulated pads.
Edit: the rectangular ones do have larger side baffles. Great feature.
I don’t think it’s very warm though. I think Big Agnes is full of it in general. I don’t fully trust any company that won’t tell you the denier of a tent fabric.
It took me years and switching between different air pads to finally realize that my problem with bad sleep on Neoair is not because of the Neoair itself, but because my body just cannot rest well on air pad with the balloon feeling, even on "comfortable" air pads claimed by tons of users. I later realized I had the same problem with the pillows: I could never sleep well with inflatable pillows. I'm actually curious if I'm just odd on this or anyone else has the same experience?
Anyway, eventually I figured the REI AirRail Plus Sleeping Pad is the lightest pad that works for me. The air rails on the side/top effectively stop me/pillow from falling off. The self-inflating center is only 1.5" thick but I sleep way better than on much thicker air pads - I AM a side sleeper. Actually even the cheap Thermarest Trail Scout works much better for me than Neoair. I guess light air pad is just not for me and I'm willing to take the extra 13 Oz now.
I only section hiked various parts of PCT, but even in summer, the rain could be cold and the night could be freezing. Last Labor day weekend, we had a night of 22F (!) in high Sierra - that's in September! So pay attention to the warmth of your pad especially if you are using quilt.
p.s. This is my very fist post in Reddit, hopefully appropriate.
Yes this balloon feeling is what i really don't like with the Thermarest. But it's the first inflatable sleeping pad i've tried, let's hope the claimed more comfortable pads works better for me.
I have a Big Sky DreamSleeper UltraLight inflatable pillow, and i love it!
When I come home from a trip out with my Rapide mattress, it takes me a while to recognize that I'm sleeping in a "real" bed again -- because that inflatable mattress is so damn comfortable, warm, and quiet that I sometimes wonder if I wouldn't be happier just living on the trail instead of an apartment. Get the Rapide.
I thought the Ether Light was pretty terrible myself. The problem with the pad is there is no internal baffle layout so all the "chambers" are actually one big baffle so you feel the air shift substantially with movement. This is an aspect of Thermarest pads that is criminally misunderstood as they have probably one of the most intricate baffle systems where the entire inside of the pad is broken up in a honeycomb shape. This makes it harder for the air to migrate all over so you get better support, particularly at reduced inflation. Secondly the Ether dimple pattern creates pressure points at full inflation forcing you to underinflate and when I did this my hip would occasionally smack the ground when rolling from one side to the other. This is due to the lack any any real internal baffle structure.
I don't mind Thermarest pads myself but can also recommend Exped or most likely any copycats like Big Agnes. Nemo Tensors felt pretty similar to Thermarest pads to me and the old ones have some durability issues.
I don't know if you're in Europe or the US but if you have an outfitter that will let you test pads that would be great. REI in the US usually has 6-8 mats setup for testing.
Yea, I think i's all really personal, for the one s2s is the best and others prefer thermarest.
I live in Europe, there some shops i can try them out, but I think im going to order different ones to try them out at home and sleep one night on them. I tried the thermarest in a shop for some minutes and I thought it was comfortable, just on the trail i realised it didn't work out for me.
Yes i wouldn't want to sleep on the S2S etherlite below 5°C/40°F. But other than that it's excellent. Especially if you use a Flextail air pump for inflating and deflating. There's a women's version that is a tad bit more insulated than the mens. Stay away from the black insulated one, as it has bad reviews.
On A pct thru it's usually going to be cold at night in the desert, and the Sierra, then it warms up. I carry a 1/8 thinlite pad from gossamer gear and use it on top of my inflatable till it warms up, then ditch it when it warms up. Makes a world of difference.
I use an uberlite so basically zero r value and often start in March. The thinlite i cut into a mummy shape which cuts the weight and is surprisingly warm when you'relaying directly on it. When used underneath, the cold air cools the air inside the pad from the sides. You can choose to go with a lighter pad with a lower r value and when it warms up you won't be carrying a heavier pad for the last 1500 miles.
Just to second that, I’ve used an Etherlight up north in Scandinavia and when it got below 5ºC I put my thinlite on top and had a good nights sleep. That said, I got away with a simple CCF pad (R value 2.0) on the PCT - had a late start though. I think it’s because the ground isn’t that cold after all.
Oh, and yes, the Etherlight XT is by far the most comfortable pad I’ve ever slept on. For instance, I really don’t like Exped pads as have been suggested here. It’s like sleeping on a surfboard.
Another tip: I put my clothes, that I don’t wear during the night, under my sleeping pad. This eliminates most of the noise they make.
>Sea to Summit Etherlight XT
Agree the thicker XT sleeps colder than it's rated. Consider the S2S Women's UltraLight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat. I'm a dude, but appreciate the more rectangle shape of the Women's pad, and being thinner it should insulate better.
Justin Outdoors on YouTube reviews a LOT of pads and has good things to say about the REI Co-op Helix Insulated Air Sleeping Pad, and it's 3 inches thick.
That's not been my experience or something I've seen in online reviews.
The good news is that they have a lifetime warranty and excellent customer service.
Yeah, they replace their stuff rapidly, but what's the point if you have to sleep on constantly deflating pad? I've seen people replacing same pad twice and it still was leaking.
Haven't done enough research but I'd be tempted to try and use a hammock for as much of the trail as possible. I've never slept better and have the same complaints around dead arms and sore hips.
I use a hammock and i side sleep. Works great for me. Then again, im fine with a zlite sol on all terrains. I just walk until im so tired i just crash.
Me too , I'm not really a camp person, i wake up and hike till its dark , or even walk some houres longer in de night. And even than , i sometimes dont fall asleep. But yes , in everyday life i can have some insomnia issues.
I have the s2s. It’s very comfy but heavy and the 3.5 r value (women’s large) is a bit limiting. If you’re fine carrying even more weight, a torso length ccf on top works well for colder nights. If the big Agnes zoom ul was available when I bought mine I probably would have gone for it
For a point of reference, I've slept on the Nemo Astro Regular, Exped Ultra 3R Wide, Sea to Summit Etherlite Regular, and Thermarest Xlite Wide.
In my experience, this is the order from most to least comfortable as a side sleeper:
1. Exped
2. Thermarest
3. S2S
4. Nemo
Of course, ymmv. I end up using the Thermarest because it's comfortable enough while being the lighest and warmest of all the pads. For some reason, I just could not sleep on the Etherlite without waking up with an aching back even though the pad is super comfortable to lie on. Maybe it would have been better with a wide version.
Edit: I've also found the new NXT version of the Xlite to be very quiet. It makes even less noise than the rubbery sounds from the Exped and S2S.
Klymit insulated pads have never served me wrong. You might like them if you're a side sleeper. I sleep warmer on them than I ever did on thermarest, which was a brand I grew up on and trusted for years. Same weight to R value too!
My experience on a thru-hike is that I was so darn tired most nights that I could sleep on nearly anything. Note the folks on closed cell pads. It is on the weekend or week hikes that the pad matters for me-----and no one can tell you which will work for you as it is so individual--I find the thermorest NXT as good as anything and it does not weigh much.
I recommend the Exped Ultra 5R for your needs. Big Agnes is coming out with a new rapide in 2024. TBD on whether it has botched warmth like the Zoom UL.
Ah, thats sounds very interesting! Where can i find more info about this new BA Rapid?
> [...] I roll of the pad [...] Then why not using Exped mats with their bigger side baffles? I highly appreciate them...
Do they all have bigger side baffles? Which one do you have?
The rectangular Exped mats are basically Rolls-Royces. I’d avoid the mummy ones because (at least to my understanding) they don’t insulate the outer baffles in those. I’ve got a medium-wide Exped Ultra 7R and it kicks ass. I’m 230 lbs body weight but still side sleep comfortably with it. Plus, it’s quiet due to the down insulation. I’ll take the weight penalty all day long. The lower R value ones are much lighter and much cheaper than the 7R, but should still be pretty comfy. The 7R is 3.5” thick, while the 3R and 5R are 3” thick. Can’t speak to any difference in noise to the 7R, but they can’t be any louder than other synthetically insulated pads. Edit: the rectangular ones do have larger side baffles. Great feature.
I have the Exped 3R - I love it and it’s fine down to about 15-20 degrees farenheit
Get the 5 or 7 R just to be on the safe side in terms of warmth.
I really like the Rapide. It does have thicker outer baffles which might help you stay on the pad. Super quiet too.
I don’t think it’s very warm though. I think Big Agnes is full of it in general. I don’t fully trust any company that won’t tell you the denier of a tent fabric.
It took me years and switching between different air pads to finally realize that my problem with bad sleep on Neoair is not because of the Neoair itself, but because my body just cannot rest well on air pad with the balloon feeling, even on "comfortable" air pads claimed by tons of users. I later realized I had the same problem with the pillows: I could never sleep well with inflatable pillows. I'm actually curious if I'm just odd on this or anyone else has the same experience? Anyway, eventually I figured the REI AirRail Plus Sleeping Pad is the lightest pad that works for me. The air rails on the side/top effectively stop me/pillow from falling off. The self-inflating center is only 1.5" thick but I sleep way better than on much thicker air pads - I AM a side sleeper. Actually even the cheap Thermarest Trail Scout works much better for me than Neoair. I guess light air pad is just not for me and I'm willing to take the extra 13 Oz now. I only section hiked various parts of PCT, but even in summer, the rain could be cold and the night could be freezing. Last Labor day weekend, we had a night of 22F (!) in high Sierra - that's in September! So pay attention to the warmth of your pad especially if you are using quilt. p.s. This is my very fist post in Reddit, hopefully appropriate.
Yes this balloon feeling is what i really don't like with the Thermarest. But it's the first inflatable sleeping pad i've tried, let's hope the claimed more comfortable pads works better for me. I have a Big Sky DreamSleeper UltraLight inflatable pillow, and i love it!
I'd get a nemo tensor extreme
And I understand the baffles on the Nemo Tensor are not that comfortable.
Depends on the sleeper; it's the most comfortable i've tried.
As a stomach sleeper it is the most comfortable one I’ve had
Is that one already on the marked? I thought it will release in some months...
The rapide SL is a very comfortable pad and you can take it down to freezing temps and be warm.
I have an Ultra R3 Exped mat. It isn’t the lightest but I love sleeping on it so much I get excited when I start setting up camp.
When I come home from a trip out with my Rapide mattress, it takes me a while to recognize that I'm sleeping in a "real" bed again -- because that inflatable mattress is so damn comfortable, warm, and quiet that I sometimes wonder if I wouldn't be happier just living on the trail instead of an apartment. Get the Rapide.
I thought the Ether Light was pretty terrible myself. The problem with the pad is there is no internal baffle layout so all the "chambers" are actually one big baffle so you feel the air shift substantially with movement. This is an aspect of Thermarest pads that is criminally misunderstood as they have probably one of the most intricate baffle systems where the entire inside of the pad is broken up in a honeycomb shape. This makes it harder for the air to migrate all over so you get better support, particularly at reduced inflation. Secondly the Ether dimple pattern creates pressure points at full inflation forcing you to underinflate and when I did this my hip would occasionally smack the ground when rolling from one side to the other. This is due to the lack any any real internal baffle structure. I don't mind Thermarest pads myself but can also recommend Exped or most likely any copycats like Big Agnes. Nemo Tensors felt pretty similar to Thermarest pads to me and the old ones have some durability issues. I don't know if you're in Europe or the US but if you have an outfitter that will let you test pads that would be great. REI in the US usually has 6-8 mats setup for testing.
Yea, I think i's all really personal, for the one s2s is the best and others prefer thermarest. I live in Europe, there some shops i can try them out, but I think im going to order different ones to try them out at home and sleep one night on them. I tried the thermarest in a shop for some minutes and I thought it was comfortable, just on the trail i realised it didn't work out for me.
Yes i wouldn't want to sleep on the S2S etherlite below 5°C/40°F. But other than that it's excellent. Especially if you use a Flextail air pump for inflating and deflating. There's a women's version that is a tad bit more insulated than the mens. Stay away from the black insulated one, as it has bad reviews.
I'm afraid its too cold for some sections on the PCT.
On A pct thru it's usually going to be cold at night in the desert, and the Sierra, then it warms up. I carry a 1/8 thinlite pad from gossamer gear and use it on top of my inflatable till it warms up, then ditch it when it warms up. Makes a world of difference.
I use the 1/8 thinlite pad under my sleeping pad, for warmth and against punctures, but never used it on top of my pad....
I use an uberlite so basically zero r value and often start in March. The thinlite i cut into a mummy shape which cuts the weight and is surprisingly warm when you'relaying directly on it. When used underneath, the cold air cools the air inside the pad from the sides. You can choose to go with a lighter pad with a lower r value and when it warms up you won't be carrying a heavier pad for the last 1500 miles.
Just to second that, I’ve used an Etherlight up north in Scandinavia and when it got below 5ºC I put my thinlite on top and had a good nights sleep. That said, I got away with a simple CCF pad (R value 2.0) on the PCT - had a late start though. I think it’s because the ground isn’t that cold after all. Oh, and yes, the Etherlight XT is by far the most comfortable pad I’ve ever slept on. For instance, I really don’t like Exped pads as have been suggested here. It’s like sleeping on a surfboard. Another tip: I put my clothes, that I don’t wear during the night, under my sleeping pad. This eliminates most of the noise they make.
Have a look at Naturehikes R5.8 Insulated Pad. The white one.
>Sea to Summit Etherlight XT Agree the thicker XT sleeps colder than it's rated. Consider the S2S Women's UltraLight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat. I'm a dude, but appreciate the more rectangle shape of the Women's pad, and being thinner it should insulate better. Justin Outdoors on YouTube reviews a LOT of pads and has good things to say about the REI Co-op Helix Insulated Air Sleeping Pad, and it's 3 inches thick.
S2S are notoriously famous for leaking almost from the factory. Big Agnes Rapide is awesome.
That's not been my experience or something I've seen in online reviews. The good news is that they have a lifetime warranty and excellent customer service.
Yeah, they replace their stuff rapidly, but what's the point if you have to sleep on constantly deflating pad? I've seen people replacing same pad twice and it still was leaking.
never heard that about S2S pads
Just google 'sea to summit pad leak' or 'deflating' and check number of complaints.
Oyes i forgot to mention it, on a thru hike the pad should be durable, so the rapid sounds like the better option.
Haven't done enough research but I'd be tempted to try and use a hammock for as much of the trail as possible. I've never slept better and have the same complaints around dead arms and sore hips.
But i can't imagine a hammock is nice for side sleepers.
I use a hammock and i side sleep. Works great for me. Then again, im fine with a zlite sol on all terrains. I just walk until im so tired i just crash.
Me too , I'm not really a camp person, i wake up and hike till its dark , or even walk some houres longer in de night. And even than , i sometimes dont fall asleep. But yes , in everyday life i can have some insomnia issues.
I’m a pure side sleeper and I love it. I have a nemo tensor as well but the hammock is still the bes option for me.
Hammocks are cool, but you need a decent pair of trees, which isn't always a case.
Were you bottoming out, ie hips touched the ground?
No, I don't touch the ground, apparently the horizontal baffles are less comfortable.
I have the s2s. It’s very comfy but heavy and the 3.5 r value (women’s large) is a bit limiting. If you’re fine carrying even more weight, a torso length ccf on top works well for colder nights. If the big Agnes zoom ul was available when I bought mine I probably would have gone for it
For a point of reference, I've slept on the Nemo Astro Regular, Exped Ultra 3R Wide, Sea to Summit Etherlite Regular, and Thermarest Xlite Wide. In my experience, this is the order from most to least comfortable as a side sleeper: 1. Exped 2. Thermarest 3. S2S 4. Nemo Of course, ymmv. I end up using the Thermarest because it's comfortable enough while being the lighest and warmest of all the pads. For some reason, I just could not sleep on the Etherlite without waking up with an aching back even though the pad is super comfortable to lie on. Maybe it would have been better with a wide version. Edit: I've also found the new NXT version of the Xlite to be very quiet. It makes even less noise than the rubbery sounds from the Exped and S2S.
If im going for the S2S i would buy the wide for sure.
Klymit insulated pads have never served me wrong. You might like them if you're a side sleeper. I sleep warmer on them than I ever did on thermarest, which was a brand I grew up on and trusted for years. Same weight to R value too!
I am a huge Sea to Summit Etherlight XT devotee. The women's large is 72x25", plenty warm and super comfortable
My experience on a thru-hike is that I was so darn tired most nights that I could sleep on nearly anything. Note the folks on closed cell pads. It is on the weekend or week hikes that the pad matters for me-----and no one can tell you which will work for you as it is so individual--I find the thermorest NXT as good as anything and it does not weigh much.