Advice on sleeping pad?

[Hatteras Jack]

About me, I'm 6'2", 200 lb. Heading southbound with a mid-July start. What kind of sleeping pad should I get? I'm 23 and don't suffer from any kind of pains when I sleep with my bag right on the floor of the tent. I know I need a pad, but don't know where to start. I'm worried about popping it as I toss and turn quite a bit when I sleep. Basically I'm looking for comfort with an emphasis on durability. I know you guys know what I'm talking about.

[PosterNutbag]

I have a sleeping pad for 40 bucks I could sell you. Its a cabelas xpg regular inflatable pad, 27 grams. I'm looking to just buy the z lite, I want to be more light weight

[rocketsocks]

Big Agnes air core, 1 1/2 lbs, 3" of cushioning air, you wont break it, as long as your not using it as a "Hopity Hop"

[prain4u]

I use a Thermarest NeoAir. I like it. Given the concerns that you have, I would say Thermarest Prolite or Thermarest Ridgerest. Then again, a good old fashioned Wal-Mart foam pad gets the job done at probably the lowest cost out there.

[PosterNutbag]

Better yet 30 dollars and its yours.

[Another Kevin]

I'm nearly of a size with you, and also a restless sleeper, and I'm comfortable on my Thermarest Prolite for three-season use. In winter I may put a Wal-Mart blue foam pad under it. A pad is more about warmth than it is about softness, which is why I boost the insulation in winter.

[leaftye]

If you're not in pain when you sleep directly on the ground, why not use a foam pad. A Walmart blue foam pad will cost you $7 and is incredibly tough.

[tarantolk]

I got a thermarest prolite for $40 on sale. I have no complaints so far but I have had spinal surgery so I figured it would be best for me to have one. Bf didn't want one but after a couple test runs decided to go with the same.

[vamelungeon]

Go to the store, try some out, buy one that's comfortable.

[Lone Wolf]

About me, I'm 6'2", 200 lb. Heading southbound with a mid-July start. What kind of sleeping pad should I get? I'm 23 and don't suffer from any kind of pains when I sleep with my bag right on the floor of the tent. I know I need a pad, but don't know where to start. I'm worried about popping it as I toss and turn quite a bit when I sleep. Basically I'm looking for comfort with an emphasis on durability. I know you guys know what I'm talking about.

this is all i've ever used. don't need one of them fancy blow up things
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sho...8_10000001_-1_

[vamelungeon]

this is all i've ever used. don't need one of them fancy blow up things
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sho...8_10000001_-1_

That's what I use too. Never leaks, comfortable enough for me.

[bigcranky]

A closed cell foam pad will be fine, something like a Ridgerest. Maybe even the 3/4 length one. It will never break, and if you're comfortable w/o a pad, this will be heaven.

[PosterNutbag]

I got a thermarest prolite for $40 on sale. I have no complaints so far but I have had spinal surgery so I figured it would be best for me to have one. Bf didn't want one but after a couple test runs decided to go with the same.

Well the prolite beats the one I have! Go with that one

[Coffee]

I got a thermarest prolite for $40 on sale. I have no complaints so far but I have had spinal surgery so I figured it would be best for me to have one. Bf didn't want one but after a couple test runs decided to go with the same.

+1 on thermarest prolite. Comfortable enough and I don't fear punctures as much as with something like the neo air.

[rocketsocks]

http://sectionhiker.com/sleeping-pad-r-values/

this was posted the other day....I found it helpful.

[scope]

this is all i've ever used. don't need one of them fancy blow up things
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sho...8_10000001_-1_

Oh... its a link to a description of a pad... thought it might be something else.

[OzJacko]

Have you learnt there is no single answer yet?

First ask yourself, do I sleep on my side or my back/stomach?
If you are a back or stomach sleeper you need a mat more for insulation than comfort.
A closed cell foam pad or a "standard" self inflating mat should suffice. (Standard as in traditional - sizing is different.)
If you are a side sleeper, you will get sore hips with the thinner options.
A Neo-air or Exped or BA air mattress is more the go.
I use a Neo-air but those Exped Synmat UL's look pretty good.
A trick to make a standard size mat long enough for you is to have something like a piece of closed cell foam that you tuck under the head end and put whatever you're using for a pillow on top. The CCF keeps pillow and mat together a bit better than not having it and it can double as something to sit on when stopping somewhere wet etc.

[Prime Time]

this is all i've ever used. don't need one of them fancy blow up things
http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sho...8_10000001_-1_

This is my pad also. I bought a "second" for about $20. I then cut it down to just fit from my head to just below my hips. 7 ounces. I then cut down the remnant further (a 2 oz piece) and use that as my camp/rest stop seat and also use it under my feet when I sleep.

[SunnyWalker]

Hatteras JacK: I use the Ridgerest also. It'll never blowout on you. It does give some padding and the silver reflective stuff that reflects body heat back to you is awesome. When i remember, before i put the groundcloth down i figure where my hips will be and dig a little indentation for that portion of my anatomy. Wala, pure comfort! Now if it was Bigcranky or Another Kevin the "indentation" would be pretty big. For me its not THAT big, Huh, huh.

[johnnybgood]

You're 23 , I slept on closed cell pad at that age.