Originally Posted by
Drybones
When I got into backpacking I read all the pad reviews I could find and bought a Thermarest Prolite Plus because of the great reviews, I hated it and could not sleep on it, neither could my wife. In addition to not sleeping well it's difficult to pack down to a reasonable size and didn't come with a bag. I then bought an Exped pad that slept good but weighted 2.5 pounds, then got the Exped Synmat 7 UL, like it a lot. When I saw a BA Sand Mountain (old version of the Insulated air core I believe) on sale for $45 I bought it. At 24 oz the BA weighs 8 oz more than the Exped but is a good pad and a good buy. I see the BA insullated air core on sales often...I'd say this is the best buy, I believe it's also more durable...but the Synmat 7 UL is my favorite.