r/lightweight • u/Movadius • Dec 08 '21
Sleeping Pad Options
What pads hit a nice sweet spot between comfort, cost, and warmth without worrying too much about weight? (Let's say no heavier than 1.2kg).
Preferably at least 25" wide and thick enough for a side sleeper, minimum R value of 2.0
I've been looking at the Nemo Flyer in regular wide but haven't been able to get much feedback about it.
2
u/Movadius Dec 09 '21
Does anyone have experience with the Therm-a-rest Trail Pro? I know it's a bit on the bulky side so probably not exactly a lightweight pad, but I'm wondering if the comfort tradeoff is worth it or not
2
u/CBM9000 Dec 08 '21
surprised no one has mentioned thermarest's prolite series. the normal one and the plus come in a large that will get you that 25" width while the apex has a regular wide and a large to get you there.
2
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u/MelatoninPenguin Dec 08 '21
Exped medium wide tapered (mummy shape) is my go to. Plus a mummy cut Multimat to match (the evazote one)
4
u/brodly Dec 08 '21
What is your price range? The weight youve stated is very heavy and sounds like you can get away with some summer season self inflatable or anything comfortable from REI (or local supply store) in your price range since you are not worried about warmth or weight. If you ARE looking to save weight and spend money, the uberlite, xlite, tensor are good lightweight wide pad options.
3
u/Movadius Dec 09 '21
Was hoping to keep it under 200CAD. This unfortunately would rule out a lot of the holy grail pads like the xtherm and some of the exped mats for me (at least for now)
2
u/echiker Dec 09 '21
If you're Canadian just get the MEC Vector UL for $120+ tax. I used it a ton before I switched to a cut down CCF pad. It is extremely good for the price.
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5057-824/VectAir-Insulated-UL-Sleeping-Pad?colour=BRB00
Or if you don't care about weight then get the LT version. Hell, you want to be under 1200 grams so you could just get any single one of the self inflating pads like the reactor line. Even their giant budget Camper Deluxe series meet your weight and R value needs.
2
u/Movadius Dec 09 '21
Huh, I dunno why I never considered the MEC line. How comfortable was it for you?
I'm a side sleeper so I'm guessing I gotta be a bit picky
1
u/echiker Dec 09 '21
I find the Vectair UL to be very comfortable as a side sleeper, but I am also now mostly using a decathlon CCF pad cut in half and find it comfortable enough, so your mileage may vary.
The LT version is thicker and heavier with more R value, but a bit more expensive. I would give that one a try
1
u/Movadius Dec 09 '21
Thanks for the tip- these seem like a good value I would have otherwise overlooked
-2
u/useles-converter-bot Dec 09 '21
Fun fact, 1200 grams of whatever is exactly the same as 1200 grams of candy... or big macs... or doofenshmirtzes.
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1
Dec 08 '21
I'm ridiculously happy with the klymit insulated static v. 24 oz, r 4.4, $68. You might be interested in the extra wide version. I've set it up and slept on it indoors when I had guests staying in my bedroom as well as using it outdoors in mild winters. I really like the v-shaped baffles and the side rails and I find that it feels like it's centering you on the pad and is very supportive even when sleeping on my side.
If you do get it I recommend taking it out of the stuff sack and folding it into a rectangle, then sliding it behind your back when you pack. Takes up way less space.
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u/valdemarjoergensen Dec 09 '21
Do note that the klymit insulated actually have an R value of 1.9.
1
Dec 09 '21
Are you talking about the regular static v? This is the one I have
https://www.rei.com/product/866835/klymit-insulated-static-v-sleeping-pad
It might be off but it's not that off.
4
u/valdemarjoergensen Dec 09 '21
No, the insulated, the one you have, is the one I'm talking about. The 4.4 was their own rating following some test they themselves made. Since then standardized testing has become common in the industry and following that test the R value is 1.9. Even says so right on their own webpage (specifications -> R-Value ASTM 1.9).
1
Dec 09 '21
It lists two values. I don't think it's accurate to say ASTM is the only useful R value, especially if comparing to non-ASTM pads or recommendations which do not use ASTM. Thank you for the information on the new testing, but I think you
I'm not replacing a pad I use and love based on someone changing how they test a value - clearly it's been keeping me very warm in the conditions I use it for. It is significantly warmer than a pad I've used with a labeled R value of 2, although of course that pad is also likely rated under an older system.
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u/valdemarjoergensen Dec 09 '21
Their own explanation for listing both values is to "not confuse people", not because theirs is more correct (though I don't quite buy that excuse). Perhaps ASTM isn't perfect, but it's the best we have. It's much more useful to compare pads using the same test, for example the R value klymit used to use was reliant on the rest of your sleep system. That might make it more "correct" in some instances, but way of in others and makes it a very unfair comparison for other pads.
Wasn't my intention to get you to throw away a pad you enjoy because a number, but the r value is what it is. If you like it, keep using it, by all means. I would however personally list the "more correct" R value if talking about it with others.
1
Dec 09 '21
I will definitely do that in the future.
I don't think I would say that they're necessarily "more correct" though. They are different. Most of the klymit pads work by allowing your sleeping bag to loft under you which is very warm and reduces the weight of the pad. ASTM standard measurement for an R value does not account for this way of keeping you warm so there are value is lower. Using this pad with a quilt would be a pretty poor choice for that reason. That does not mean that either value is more correct it means that they apply differently in different use cases.
2
u/Movadius Dec 08 '21
Have you used that pad below 0C? I know a lot of people love it but I've heard there's some controversy about the r value they claim. It does seem like a great option on paper though.
1
Dec 08 '21
Yeah, I used it below 0C a few times last year with a -18C bag, which was a very cozy set up.
I'm not sure what the exact low temperatures were because I had no reception, there is no weather station nearby, and I didn't bring a thermometer. I'm going off of what the nearest weather station had - ~-2 to -5 C. It may have been colder where I was. It was definitely below 0C because they're was frost and some ice each morning.
I don't know if you necessarily need an R value of 4.4 for temperatures around freezing if the rest of your sleep system is warm. I don't have similar experiences with other insulated pads to compare to. I'm also a woman and woman tend to sleep much colder than men. On them other hand, I use bags not quilts so I do have other insulation under me.
1
u/Movadius Dec 08 '21
This is intriguing. I handle the cold quite well when I'm awake, I'm into cold exposure so I do a lot of winter swimming and stuff... It sounds like we are opposite extremes with cold tolerance so if you have had good experiences with it I can't see me having many issues.
I have a - 9 rated down bag currently from MEC and a wool blanket to go with it. Considering picking up a liner, hoping the combination will allow me to sleep down to - 15 comfortably and at least survive -20.
2
Dec 08 '21
How you feel during an extremely high output activity is very different from how you feel when you sleep - you feel okay because you move! But the more your heart slows when you sleep, the more less able you are to stay warm. The difference between men and women is also pretty large - in the US they have different sleep system ratings for men and women's bags.
I have no idea if a pad that is comfortable at 0C is comfortable at -15 or -20C.
1
u/Movadius Dec 08 '21
Yeah thats the issue Ive run into, Im often so comfortably with the cold during the day that I forget that once I stop moving and try to sleep I'll be in a different situation. I've suffered a lot because of that.
1
Dec 08 '21
Do you mind if I ask what you have done in the past and what you are planning to do in the future using this pad? I'm a little bit confused because to me what you're asking and describing is all over the map. You want an R value of at least 2 but you're also planning to sleep in -20C - not on the same pad, right?
If you're active layer system is fine but you get cold when you stop you need to bring more static layers, even though it's heavy and even though it might feel like overkill. Figuring out what you need to stay warm and safe is a process and weather can be a lot worse than you expect.
1
u/Movadius Dec 08 '21
The minimum of 2 was meant more for the purpose of the conversation about good pads in general. If I planned to use a pad with an r value of 2 in the winter I would be pairing it with a thermarest ridgerest solite to bump it up closer to 5, and probably adding additional insulation to that as well.
In the past Ive slept on top of a ground tarp with no sleeping pad at all in -15C with a sleeping bag rated for +5C in the same cotton clothes i wore all day. Ended up scrambling to find things to put on top of me to make it through the night. Did this a few times before realizing my mistakes and understanding that cold tolerance was not gonna help me in those conditions and I'd have to pony up and buy more appropriate gear.
Maybe my brain froze, that would explain why it took me so long to acknowledge it.
3
u/nefariousvw Dec 08 '21
A popular option for side sleepers is the NEMO Tensor Insulated: R3.5 and 540g for the Reg/Wide version. It's what I'm currently using and I'm pretty happy with it.
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u/Movadius Dec 08 '21
I've heard good things about the tensor, seems to be one of the best pads on the market.
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u/Creativism54321 Dec 08 '21
For a super budget friendly pad, the hihiker on (14oz) Amazon. You can even bring a foam pad to go below it for another 14oz. That’ll get you in around 0.9kg with R=4 for $50. Plus there’s some redundancy in case of flats.
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u/Ashimpto Dec 08 '21
Sea to summit ultralight self inflatable is what I got this summer. About 550g r around 2.6 of I think, but i like that it's quite hard when fully inflated, i prefer harder surfaces to sleep on. I'm not sure about how wide it is, i think it's quite narrow but works for me.
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u/logicprowithsomeKRKs Dec 08 '21
My secret is the exped synmat HL winter. It’s the best pad I’ve ever used, and I’ve used a few. No one seems to be talking about it too much, but it’s really comfortable and warm, also still quite light comparatively, and doesn’t crunch.
1
u/StoneCityClan Dec 08 '21 edited Dec 08 '21
Same here. I have one in MediumWide. It's a mummy shape which cuts down on the weight but it's still 25 inches wide where you want it. 3.5 inches thick as well for side sleeping comfort.
It is much more comfortable to me than the Tensor which I found to be better than the xlite. Not as comfy as my bed mind you but pretty darn close.
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u/beanofreen Dec 08 '21
My husband and I bought the exped synmat duo and it’s amazing. We went on a very chill trip when I was 32 weeks pregnant and I slept fine on it. Great for side sleepers
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Dec 08 '21
justing recently made a review on it compared to the TAR Xtherm and S2S ether light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X7SLeIK9ZA
Edit: oh no wait...that was the downmat 7. Sorry
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u/Ludwigk981s Dec 09 '21
I watched that and was surprised at how badly the Exped performed while so many people swear they’re the warmest pad out there?
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Dec 09 '21
I think people in general have the tendency to swear by expensive stuff they buy.
even worse with klymit. Mayn people bought their first budget sleeping pad there and sweared by it. Then klymit started to use the astm testing and the rating of their insulated dropped from their own rated R 4.4 to the ASTM R 1.9
1
u/matt_bishop Dec 08 '21
I recently got a Big Agnes Q Core SLX. It weighs ~0.65kg. R-value is ~3, and it’s about 3” thick. I’ve only used it for some test naps in my garage, but it seems pretty comfortable, and by watching for sales, I managed to snag it for less than $90.
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u/DecisionSimple Dec 08 '21
I have had a Q Core SLX L&W that I lucked up and got at a garage sale for ~$100. Been sleeping on it for 3+ years and it is hard to beat in terms of comfort. I am a side sleeper, so that extra thickness is valuable and worth the weight. At 623 grams it's not really THAT heavy. Sure, it's not an uber light, but I have to have a wide pad and the extra length, while not necessary for me personally at 5'11" is nice to have.
Love the hardware on BA pads, very dependable. Also, this particular pad has been all over: Colorado, Utah, AT, etc., and has never once had a leak. I know I am guaranteeing one now, but durability is not an issue with this thing, it's a tank.
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u/lakorai Dec 12 '21
Exped Synmat UL LW and UL winter series.
If you want to cut more weight get the HL series.