jmichaeldesign

I'm going to buy a pad soon. I'm leaning towards the air chamber pads from Big Anges or Pacific Outdoor Eqpt because they pack up so small.

Is it worth it to spend more for an insulated pad? I feel like for the few times I'll use it in the cold I'd rather be cold than lug around a bigger pad than I need the rest of the time.

I'm looking at REI because I have a gift card and a coupon right now.

https://www.rei.com/product/707993

https://www.rei.com/product/763913

https://www.rei.com/product/751066

CardiacKid

That is kind of a difficult question. I have the uninsulated Air Core and use a cheap closed cell pad with it when it cold. But then it takes up a lot more space than the insulated Air Core. I only do this rarely and already had the closed cell pad, so it made sense, especially in Texas.

late

The Big Agnes pads go with the Big Agnes bag. Have you ever tried a Therma Rest?
https://www.rei.com/gear/feature/sear...FQrFGgodsiII0w

The size and thickness depend on how much you need. I used a Therma Rest Lite, but didn't go camping when it was cold.

roadfix

I have the Big Anges insulated mummy pad which slips nicely into my old 25-year old Slumberjack mummy bag. When deflated it remains inside the rolled up sleeping bag. Pretty convenient. I use this set up regularly when my wife doesn't want me sleeping in the bedroom.
I used to get back aches with foam pads.

bhchdh 

I use a Big Agnes Air core pad. As I am a "side sleeper", I find it more comfortable then the Thermorest. It also packs down to about the size of a 32 oz Nalgene bottle.

twodeadpoets

After 20 years with several different thicknesses of Thermarest pads, the only one I can tolerate is the deluxe model which is their thickest but weighs about 87 pounds and stuffs in a dufflebag sized stuff sack (sarcasm intended). With all of the Thermarests I wake up with searing shoulder pain and in the not so distant future may need some surgery as a result of sleeping on these not so thick pads for so long (and maybe some hereditary predisposition to shoulder degeneration).

After getting very little sleep on our last big trip I went to REI to find out if I could find something better, and low and behold I discovered Big Agnes! Lighter than most of Thermarests and stuffs tiny in comparison. Now I don't have to lash a rolled up pad to the top of my rack. The clincer for me was that the BA was a less expensive than the Thermarest.

Both the BA and Thermarest use open celled foam which does not insulate as well as closed cell foam. I've gotten cold on my Thermarests eventhough it wasn't freezing out and both the pads are about equal in insulation value. Personally I would choose the insulated version of the BA as this will give you a bit more warmth on the cooler mornings. Of course if it's going to be freezing out, then I would add a closed cell foam pad underneath the system.

atman

Love the Air Core myself, but I tend towards warmer (non-freezing) conditions. I'm also a hammock sleeper.

When it gets down to the high 40s, I like to take a simple piece of fleece, double it over, and stick it in the sleeve of the BA sleeping bag, over the Air Core. This works great, even hanging in the air, down to the sleeping bag's rating of 40 F.

I like this better because the fleece is itself light and super useful when I'm not in the sleeping bag, which is hopefully most of the time :-)

jmichaeldesign

I think I'm gonna go with the Pacific Outdoor one. It's got a bit more insulation and is only 1 inch longer when packed up.

staehpj1

Personally I don't find compact size to be a big deal in a sleeping pad I carry it on top of the rear rack so size really doesn't matter. Weight and comfort are more important. I like the Thremarest pads myself. 73 nights on the TA I never had a bad nights sleep.

Flandry

That's what sold me on the BA Air Core. I spent some time at REI lying on the various pads. I even stuffed the Air Core into one of the BA bags and snuggled into it. Yeah. Good times and great entertainment for the other customers.

Anyway, if you ever like to sleep on your side, do yourself a favor and get the air pad. I got the insulated one, considering that the weight and size difference was minimal, and i live north of the Mason-Dixie. The compactness isn't essential, but it's nice. I took full gear for a fall overnighter in two Ortlieb Back Rollers and two medium size Cannondale panniers--nothing on top of the rack--with room to spare.

NeezyDeezy

Big Agnes all the way. I'm a side sleeper too.

I just picked up one of those new clearview pads that weigh something like 12 oz and are so small they can stay in the bag. I only paid around $35 for a long rectangular bag, so a smoking deal. Use google shopping to find it.

Losligato

Picked up a full sized Thermarest Prolite (Not Sure if it's a Prolite 3 or 4) at the REI clearance a few weeks ago for cheap. Amanda has a Prolite 4 and loves it.

-It rolls down to a tiny ball the size of a small coffee can.

-It weighs very little.

-Thermarest has a lifetime guarantee which they really stand behind. They will patch it for a nominal fee if you sit on it with a screw driver in your pocket.

-The bottom side is toughened to make it wear resistant.

-You can get the trekker chair which I absolutely love.

-Most importantly, I sleep better on my thermarest than in any bed.

CardiacKid

ProLite 4 $95 + $14 bag
Insulated Air Core $80 bag included
ProLite 24 oz
Air Core 21 oz
Prolite pack size 4. x 11
Air Core 3.75 x 8
ProLite 1.5" thick
AirCore 2.5" thick
ProLite R value 3.2
Air Core R value 4.1
The ProLite is self inflating which is an advantage if you are a smoker. The Air Core does take a little longer to inflate, but it makes up for that by taking less time to pack. Ignoring that the Air Core is cheaper, lighter, smaller, thicker and warmer, I prefer the Air Core because it is a lot more comfortable. Luckily, I have not had a need for customer service, so I can't comment on that.

Nigeyy

I have an uninsulated airpad, and use a cheap closed cell foam mat for insulation ($5 from Walmart). I really like the setup -the airpad is very compact and lightweight, and though the closed cell is not compact, it's easy to carry on the rack.

I like the fact that if the airpad has a puncture and is unrepairable, I still have the option of the closed cell mat (not that it's a great alternative, but it can work -I used to use just this before I got the air mat). Another thing: I find the closed cell foam mat handy for sitting on outside the tent too.

tomg

i have self-contained toured since 1981 and have tried several methods of bedding support.
i still have, and use, my 1980 ($7) thermarest closed cell pad 3/8 x 20 x 48", only. usually takes 2 days to get used to, but works for me (always working on improvements)!

-check out www.Campmor.com item #41312. it is a "PACK-LITE" closed cell pad that weighs 8oz, is 3/8 x 20 x 72 inches, and $10.99 plus s/h. wally-world may be a resource for simular...

again, there will be some adjustment period with whichever padding you chose.

sleep tite!

niknak

When people ask about ground pads, I seem to be the only one who dislikes the BA air core. The R value of the air core is far off. I spent two nights on the air core in slightly below freezing conditions and I couldn't sleep because I was so cold. I returned the thing for the Thermarest 4 season pro lite and have never been cold, and it's the short model to boot. The air core is very comfy though. I just can't recommend it if you'll be anywhere near coldish weather.

Al Downie

I used an Exped Downmat 7DLX in the Himalayas, down to -10degC at night, and it was toasty warm. Brilliant piece of kit - packs down MUCH smaller than a Thermarest (not much bigger than the Nalgene bottle someone described above), inflates to a super-comfy 7cm thick, and you can use the ingenious stuff-sac/inflation pump as a pillow. It's expensive, but it's the only mat I'll take on any trip, tropical or arctic, from now on. Totally recommended.

bobbyahines

atman has it right! Skip the tent/pad combo and go straight for the hammock. Check the "North American" model out from junglehammock.com, and you'll never opt for a tent and pad again.
-bobby

spinner

+1 for the Exped Downmat 7. Have been using one for a few years now, wouldn't consider anything else. Super comfy. Well worth the price and the few extra grams of weight. A good nights sleep is priceless

Losligato

I watched the Youtube video on how to pump this thing. Smart design.

staehpj1

While on the topic of sleeping pads... Anyone use the thermarest z-lite? I'd be curious to hear how you liked it (or didn't).

jbpence

hate the big agnes supposedly insulated tube mattresses. COLD COLD COLD> bought a thick INSULATED thermarest (tried the tiny prolite, too thin) and am in heaven. yes its big. yes its not so light, yes I sleep like a baby on it. need to when touring, IMO

seeker333

I have the BA insulated air core. I use it only 3 seasons. I like it for it's compact form and low weight, but it provides an inferior sleep experience to me. A bit like trying to sleep on a beach ball - I slide/roll off. I would avoid uninsulated models - the ground is almost always cold no matter what night!

I prefer Thermarest design, been using them for 20 years now. I have a collection of these things, from the z-rest (not recommended staehpj1 - my least favored of all) to a outdoors-show prototype I bought direct from CD that is 3"x30"x80" and weighs 6 lbs (I sleep on this monster every night for past 5 years now, bad back, can't sleep in conventional beds anymore).

I have found the 25" and wider pads to be far more comfortable. I have an rei-rebadged thermarest I got cheap thats 2.5"x25x72, weighs 4 lbs. This one's still very comfortable and I can carry on bike. I compensate for the weight with a tarptent that weighs 3 lbs. I think this is a more sensible investment of grams in overall load. Tarptent replaced an old SD clip flashlight that weighed more than twice as much, and was actually lower and narrower than the TT.

For a few nights I can handle a BA pad in a OR bivy sack, total weight 55 oz/3.5lbs. But for long trips need comfort of heavier gear. Actually the tarptent weighs nearly same as bivy and is much more spacious and comfortable.

I think a 25 or 30" BA AC pad would be better - but then it would weigh same as comparble Thermarest and take a lot of breathing to fill.

BTW you should always weigh everything (i use the fancy USPS scales). I have weighed ~50 outdoor gear items over the years - about 46 were heavier than claimed by mfg, 3 the same and 1 less. Everybody lies on the weight. They exaggerate less since ultralight trend started - now that folks actually weigh stuff - and report findings on the internet. For example, the BA pad I have weighs 25.6 oz - mfg claimed 21 oz at the time, and checking I see still claim 21. I think the sack, straps and repair kit weigh <3 oz, so even then it's 23 oz actual vs. 21 claimed.

Erick L

It's true but I inflate it very hard and it's not a problem. Mine started losing air a bit during the night and BA said to send it for free repair. My thermarest was also losing air, so did every other thermarest I tried. No problem sleeping down to freezing temp with the BA insulated air core.

Carbon Ken

I also use the Exped downmat.

It may not be the smallest inflatable mattress around but IMHO, it's the most comfortable and it's also very warm. So warm that I downgraded my sleeping bag from my -9C Marmot Helium to my -1C Marmot Hydrogen. That more than made up for the size/weight of the Exped.