Sleeping pad survey

[Hummy585]

Whats everyone sleeping on while on the trail, inflatable or foam pads?
I'm not sure which way to go, I like the stowage of inflatable, but not sure how comfortable it would be compared to foam...

[Venchka]

Xtherm Large. Side sleeper. Selected for the width.
At least as comfortable as my bed. 2 straight months test drive.
Toasty warm at 25 degrees F.
Used with the Exped air pillow.
No noise.
Perfect combination.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[Venchka]

Ps,
There are dozens of identical threads on this subject.
Look for them.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[Sarcasm the elf]

I currently use a z-rest foam pad for three season hiking, in the fall I a thermarest pro-lite and double up using both pads. I own a couple inflatable mattresse, but I have simply had too many times when an inflatable pad has failed and deflated on me in the field, usually due to a pinhole puncture, and don't trust them unless I have a foam pad with me as well. Other advantages are that it is easily accessible attached to the outside of my pack, so the foam pad gets used as a place to sit almost every time I take a break.

Not everyone finds foam pads comfortable enough to use by themselves, so you need to figure out what works for you since whatever you choose, you need to be able to get a good night's sleep using it. Even my two regular hiking partners both use inflatables, so to each their own.

[Pastor Bryon]

Haven't tried foam pads and honestly don't want to. Using NeoAir and S2S inflatables. Comfort is important to me, one thing I don't want to go easy on is comfort for sleep.

[Hikes in Rain]

Old but perfectly serviceable 3/4 Thermorest.

[bigcranky]

I still have the Thermarest Prolite 4 that I bought ten or twelve years ago when they first came out. Bought a thinner one for a Long Trail hike on 2014 to save weight, but found it was miserable in the shelters (and on the LT there are plenty of places where one should/must stay in a shelter). Then I noticed that every other hiker -- all of them 1600 miles into an AT thru-hike at that point -- had a Neoair. All of them. So I got one in Manchester Center and it's been the best sleep I've had on the ground. (Yeah, hammocks are more comfortable, but sometimes they don't work as well for me.)

[LIhikers]

Inflatable.
Neoair All Season

[MuddyWaters]

When i was younger i could tolerate thin foam pads better. At 49, I likes me some neoair. My prolite plus(es) is pretty good, but much heavier.

[SWODaddy]

Inflatable. A good night sleep is something I won't compromise to skimp ounces on. I bought a Sea To Summit Comfort Plus mat and while it's on the heavier side, its incredibly comfortable.

[George]

in the winter - both, foam is a backup for a failed inflatable

in summer - foam

[shelb]

Inflatable... my back needs it!

[JumpMaster Blaster]

Inflatable, with a Thermarest ZLite for added R value in the late fall, mild winter, early spring. I tried to sleep on just the ZLite twice before. Whatever side I was laying on had extremities falling asleep. 2.5" pad for me from now on!

[Vegan Packer]

I have a NeoAir XLite. The only thing that I didn't like about it was the valve and the inflation system that they sell for it. I prefer the Exped Pumpbag, which, of course, doesn't fit on the Thermarest valves. I tried the Exped air mattress, and it wasn't bad, but I still prefer the XLite. I ended out building an adapter that solves my issues.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Neoair full length.

[Heliotrope]

Inflatable. A good night sleep is something I won't compromise to skimp ounces on. I bought a Sea To Summit Comfort Plus mat and while it's on the heavier side, its incredibly comfortable.

Oh baby. That pad is a dream!


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[Gambit McCrae]

I have not used a foam pad but one time since the boy scouts. I never will again.

I use an Exped LW. I have a winter and summer version, I would have to say the winter is a little comfier due to its weight, and material.

Its 3" thick and unless I try, I don't bottom out. Exped is known for baffle blow outs but their CS has always been great.

I have also used a Big Agnes Q-core SL LW.

One thing I would suggest unless you are just as skinny as a rail is to get the LW or just the RW (Long and Reg length). For the little extra weight it makes all the difference in the world

[Brup Bup]

Foam pad. The ones from nanatauk quilt makers are the most durable.

[1234]

over 30 inflatable, under 30 Z rest closed cell pad. under 24 - 2or 3 ft piece of foam pad.

[Coffee]

I have a Prolite and a Neoair xlite. The Neoair is more comfortable and slightly lighter. I'm about 20 years past the point where I could sleep comfortably on foam.