I've got my solo base weight down to 13 pounds (with a bear can!). I'm really happy with this.
I've slept on a Thermorest Neo Air 47" 8oz pad for 23 days. I LOVE the weight, but not loving the sleep. (I've gotten all of the potato chip sounds out of it. Just not loving the shape, width, (side sleeper) and horizontal baffles.)
My husband just got an REI Flash (16oz), and OMG... I think I have some serious pad envy. I loved those vertical baffles.
I also have an ALPS Mountaineering 47" pad that weighs 25oz. http://www.amazon.com/ALPS-Mountaine...3C65X7BDYN3C03 I used that pad for 9 days on the TRT in 2012, and I loved the sleep, but not the weight.
I spent 90 mins doing the Princess and the Pea thing and blew up all 3 mats and they all have their pros and cons.
And then, to complicate things, there are even more pads in stores and online. I'm 5'2" (or less). A 66" woman's pad would be PERFECT for me... but the lightest one is made by Thermarest - and it is the width that is more of an issue, not length. If the Flash came in 66"... I'd be all over that! OR... my PERFECT mat would be 25" wide and 47" long. Does anybody make one?
I've seen YouTube Videos of a guy cutting a pad down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kumSl-cbLlY But, OMG... the thought of buying a $179 long/wide pad and cutting it down to 47". There is no way I could show up at REI wanting to return a pad I'd cut on! Anybody cut on a Neoair pad?
Or I'm thinking of velcro-ing or glueing some inflatable pillows to the side of the 47" neoair I have now.
I really, REALLY like a good nights sleep... and thinking of adding 8oz or even 16oz to get it. Don't want to spend $$$ for lighter pack (pack is currently 34oz and new). Only thing I can think of getting rid of is stove and pot. But we are going out for 3 weeks in September... and I'm thinking I'll want some hot food.
Any words of mental health wisdom? Obviously, if 8 oz is my biggest problem... life is good.