ISO Best Lightweight Comfortable Sleeping Pad for the Backpack Hunter

[hunterbloxham]

I am in search of the best all-around lightweight sleeping pad for the backpack hunter. I am fine spending the money on good quality gear. I understand that durability and comfort sometimes take a backseat with lightweight gear. I don't want to spend $250+ on a pad just to have it pop on me on the first few trips out. Sometimes as a big buck hunter, you are kicking out an old deer bed, sleeping on rocky, brushy and steep terrain, or simply put, sleeping on less-than-ideal ground conditions.

I want something durable, comfortable, but lightweight. That's why I mentioned best "all-around". Weight savings is important, but in order for me to hunt hard, GOOD SLEEP is a priority. I'm not looking for the lightest pad on the market.

I'm 6'2" and 180lbs for reference. I am usually a side or back sleeper. I don't want something super noisy as I tend to toss and turn a little bit.

I own several pads including the Thermarest NeoAir X-Therm, Thermarest Trail Scout and the Klymit Static V Luxe Pad.

Recommendations???

 

[Idaboy]

Zen bivy flex air. Middle ground on weight, more quiet than some of the high R value pads. Pretty comfy

 

[justinspicher]

I have an exped that is massive. No chance of rolling off it. Its fantastic.

 

[TOLeary]

The NXT versions of Thermarest are a big upgrade noise wise and slight upgrade comfort wise from the previous versions if you already like yours. I really liked my NXT Xtherm but can’t beat sea to summit comfort for me though.

Neoloft looks like it’s worth trying for pure comfort as well - no experience with it though

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I laid down on a neoloft wide pad in our local gear shop. Unbelievable. The face fabric is a stretch woven type and the shape is a “U” to kinda center you. It’s certainly a lot heavier than my neo air nxt, which while comfy, is small.

 

[diamond10x]

Check out Big Agnes. The Rapide would probably be what you’re looking for.

 

[Seeknelk]

I highly recommend the Thermarest NXT in the rectangle, wide variety. Very high r value, noise is lower than previous versions by quite a bit as mentioned above and comfort is great for me even tho I'm a recovering fat kid.
I have a sea to summit Xtreme something or other and it's even more comfy but quite a bit heavier and bulky.
Thermarest quality control is very good also.
Id never get a 20", tapered pad again. Feels like I'm trying to balance all night as a side sleeper.

 

[Winterlover]

I am in search of the best all-around lightweight sleeping pad for the backpack hunter. I am fine spending the money on good quality gear. I understand that durability and comfort sometimes take a backseat with lightweight gear. I don't want to spend $250+ on a pad just to have it pop on me on the first few trips out. Sometimes as a big buck hunter, you are kicking out an old deer bed, sleeping on rocky, brushy and steep terrain, or simply put, sleeping on less-than-ideal ground conditions.

I want something durable, comfortable, but lightweight. That's why I mentioned best "all-around". Weight savings is important, but in order for me to hunt hard, GOOD SLEEP is a priority. I'm not looking for the lightest pad on the market.

I'm 6'2" and 180lbs for reference. I am usually a side or back sleeper. I don't want something super noisy as I tend to toss and turn a little bit.

I own several pads including the Thermarest NeoAir X-Therm, Thermarest Trail Scout and the Klymit Static V Luxe Pad.

Recommendations???

My current favorite is the Big Agnes Campmeister. It’s warm, R7, reasonably light and compact, and amazingly comfortable. I used mine for a month this past year and slept well, and I am a very picky sleeper. Highly recommended!

 

[Hussar]

4/5 sleeping pads in our group this year were Big Agnes pads. 3/4 of those BA pads were the Rapide SL insluated pad. Everyone on them loved them. One of my friends has spent the last 3 years trying all the major sleeping pads (Nemo, Sea to Summit, Exped), and never had a good night of sleep in the backcountry until he tried the Rapide.

I have the BA Zoom UL pad. It's fine for early season stuff, but sleeps colder than it's rated R-Value in my opinion. It's still comfortable but I would probably get something similar to the Rapide if I had to do things over.