Sleeping pad for Large Side-Sleeper? Help!

[v1k1ng1001]

Haven't backpacked in over 15 years (been too long!) and I've decided to get re-outfitted this year for a few trips in Minnesota and New Mexico along with more ambitious plans to thru hike the first half of next summer, perhaps in Europe (I teach in Spain every summer), once I dial everything in. As you might expect, I'm experiencing some frozen-caveman-lawyer syndrome: simultaneously in awe of the new tech/designs/trends (much has changed) but also confused as to what to buy.

I'm 6'3" 225 lbs--and I'm an active, sprawling sleeper (life would be easier if I were to just sleep on my back) so I need to be comfortable on my side (shoulders/hips) or I just don't sleep. Right now I'm using a JRB quilt.

In the 90's I compromised trading length for width to save weight. I used a 3/4 length, extra wide (25 inches) self-inflating thermarest with light foam. I was more than happy with that compromise not minding my lower legs going padless.

So I'm kind of looking for contemporary equivalent of that product. I'm trusting that I can go lighter and smaller in terms of packing profile--while getting something comfy wide and short to sleep on.

Right now I'm using a JRB quilt so I'd like the material to be less-than-obnoxious on my skin.

So far I'm leaning toward the Gossamer Gear offerings in 3/4 wide.

http://gossamergear.com/air-beam-sleepers.html

$92 gets me a pad that is 27" wide at the top / 2.5" thickness tapering to 1.5" at 12 oz.

I'm also looking at larger offerings from other brands (nemo, sea to summit, big agnes) but not really finding the holy grail. Some of Klymit's offerings look promising, especially for the price.


What would you all suggest? How have you quilt-using side sleepers been getting by?

[life scout]

I'm 6'1" and 220lbs. Side sleeper when I go to ground (I usually hammock) I use a 3" thick thermarest blow up only non self inflating. Large length. I slept great and my hip never hit the ground. You could definitely get away with a 2.5" thick. Just don't over inflate or you will roll/slide off the pad.

[v1k1ng1001]

I'm going to stop at REI in Austin tomorrow to check out what's available first hand.

The problem is that, down here in South TX, there is nothing to even look at save for Walmart.

[Maui Rhino]

I've been very happy with my REI Stratus pad. I'm 6'2", 235#, and also an active side sleeper. It's not the lightest out there, but it's a great pad.

[Rocket Jones]

I use a NeoAir Trekker torso-length pad. It's wider than the regular, but short. It also comes in "large" which is full length. Very happy with mine.

[Venchka]

Side sleeper here. Short and skinny. For decades I slept on 20" wide pads. Never liked the narrow width.
I bought a NeoAir Xtherm Large this time last year for 30% off during REI's Anniversary sale. I slept on it for two weeks on the floor of my apartment. Couldn't be happier. The Xlite comes in the same size and is 4 ounces lighter. REI's Anniversary sale starts tomorrow.
I also bought an Exped Air Pillow, the red version with two valves, at the same time. PERFECT!
Exped also makes wide versions of their inflatable pads. Many folks like them.
I picked the NeoAir because: Made in USA, far better guarantee from Cascade Designs.

Good luck!

Wayne

[bigcranky]

Try the largest NeoAir pad.

I was happy with my old Thermarest for years, and sort of scoffed at the Neoair. Until I tried one last summer. The really big one is 25x77 I think. You do need the full length for a thick pad IMHO, since otherwise the dropoff is too high for my legs to be comfortable.

[Dochartaigh]

Try the Klymit Static V2. $60 and 17 ounces. I'm a big guy, side sleeper, who tosses and turns and sprawls out at will (actually just upgraded to a 2-person tent all to myself so I can do this in style!), and I've tried ALL the ThermaRest, Big Agnes, etc. etc. etc. etc. sleeping mats and found them uncomfortable as hell (the pad material doesn't stretch or move so it's like sleeping on a rock to me). The Klymit, because it has deeper baffles, seems to actually move with you and feels more like a real bed.

[v1k1ng1001]

Ok, so I just drove border to border and was able to stop into a couple REI locations to try out pads.

In my book, the winner by far was the Exped Synmat, size large. Sticker shock at almost $200 before discounts however!!!

The Neo Air that I tried didn't impress me too much, but I was only able to try a 20" so maybe an unfair comparison. Definitely the size/weight is right there with the Exped. And I've forever been impressed by the quality of all my thermarest products, so there's that to consider.

Fwiw, the big agnes pads were too thick, the material was super slippery and I just plain didn't like them. I've been reading they're not very dependable either.

[v1k1ng1001]

Try the Klymit Static V2. $60 and 17 ounces. I'm a big guy, side sleeper, who tosses and turns and sprawls out at will (actually just upgraded to a 2-person tent all to myself so I can do this in style!), and I've tried ALL the ThermaRest, Big Agnes, etc. etc. etc. etc. sleeping mats and found them uncomfortable as hell (the pad material doesn't stretch or move so it's like sleeping on a rock to me). The Klymit, because it has deeper baffles, seems to actually move with you and feels more like a real bed.

Yeah, trust me, I've been looking at Klymit's offerings and they look very very enticing for the price. I'd even thought I'd be willing to take a chance on that Inertia X Wave.

Between the Neo Air and the Exped, the siderail effect at 25" made the Exped far more comfortable while sleeping on my side. The edge collapsing of the Neo Air bugged me to death by comparison.

I also read somewhere that Klymit helped Gossamer gear design their line--but the Klymit Static baffling looks nicer than the basic vertical baffling you see on either the GGs and the Expeds.

[Venchka]

Re: NeoAir edge collapsing. In 2 consecutive weeks of use I never once noticed "Falling off the edge" or the crinkle noise some folks talk about.

Wayne

[LuckyMan]

I'm 6'2", about 188# at the start of a long hike, 175 after. I sleep well on my side on a Thermarest NeoAir X-Lite torso length (8 ounces) and elevate my legs on my pack.

[Dholmblad]

Check out the sea to summit ultralight pad that just came out. It is very comfortable. I am 6'2 210lbs and got the large

[BirdBrain]

I am a side, back, side, front, side, back, side.... (you get the picture) sleeper. I have an exped UL7. I need an inflatable pad. However, the pad is not the biggest thing. If you sleep in your side, you might need a good pillow. There is a bit of distance between the side of your head and the outside of your shoulder. I am yet to solve this issue. I am trying an exped pillow this year.

[saltysack]

I am a side, back, side, front, side, back, side.... (you get the picture) sleeper. I have an exped UL7. I need an inflatable pad. However, the pad is not the biggest thing. If you sleep in your side, you might need a good pillow. There is a bit of distance between the side of your head and the outside of your shoulder. I am yet to solve this issue. I am trying an exped pillow this year.

Just bought the large exped pillow...now thinking about the goose feet gear down pillow stuff sack...$100 for a backcountry pillow is nuts!!!!


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[BirdBrain]

Just bought the large exped pillow...now thinking about the goose feet gear down pillow stuff sack...$100 for a backcountry pillow is nuts!!!!


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I tried a few down pillows. They squish down too much for me. Air piilows are like sleeping on a balloon. Best I found so far is the smallest mainstay pillow they sell at Walmart. It works great. Takes up too much room in pack though. A bit heavy too. I don't mean to hikejack this thread. However, I think this discussion is relevant to the OP. I think most side sleepers require a superior pillow.

[saltysack]

Supposedly the goose feet gear pillow is awesome...down goes over exped inflatable...


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[BirdBrain]

Supposedly the goose feet gear pillow is awesome...down goes over exped inflatable...


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Thank you for the tip. Searching net next.

[Venchka]

... Air piilows are like sleeping on a balloon. ...

Over inflation syndrome. Same applies to air mattresses. If you saw my Exped pillow & Xtherm pad lying in a tent you would think that they both had sprung leaks. Once I am on them and change the volume and the effective air pressure, they are just fine. Enough air to keep my bottom off the ground and my head and neck at the proper height for my comfort and BAM! Lights out. Sound asleep.

Wayne

[BirdBrain]

Over inflation syndrome. Same applies to air mattresses. If you saw my Exped pillow & Xtherm pad lying in a tent you would think that they both had sprung leaks. Once I am on them and change the volume and the effective air pressure, they are just fine. Enough air to keep my bottom off the ground and my head and neck at the proper height for my comfort and BAM! Lights out. Sound asleep.

Wayne

I agree. Exped pads have two valves. I let air out until it is comfortable. Can't get pillow right though.