New Guy Question About Seep System

[Bowjack]

I am new to this tipi tenting to enhance my bowhunting experience. So, here is my question for a sleep system since it is all related to the pad.

I am about 5'9" 200 lbs. I wear an extra large top and was wondering if the standard size pads are too narrow for me. Is it worth the extra weight to get a l&w pad and quilt, bivy etc. since I would not require the long size.

Most guys that go with the wide appear to be quite a bit taller than me.

I would hate to spend on a system and find it is uncomfortable. I know what it is like thrashing on an uncomfortable pad & bag, so I'd like to do it right the first time.

 

[Derek0525]

Pad just depends on how much you move around I'm 6ft 220 and I have normal width just a long for the pad. If getting a quilt for your bag I would suggest a wide. If your getting a bug bivy I would also get a long wide just because the netting can get restrictive but most bivys are large enough to accommodate a pad and bag I have a borah bug bivy in long wide and with my pad inside of it it gets kind of restrictive down by the feet area I also have a Borah snowy side Event bivy and it has tons of room in it. If you have an REI around go there to check out a pad usually they will set one up for you to try out or go pick up a pad at a store and try it out for size at home of it doesn't work take it back.

 

[motts]

I'm 5'9" 185 lbs and I prefer a long/wide pad and bag. I'm a stomach sleeper who tends to move around a bit, but I also usually fall asleep with my arms under my head and the covers pulled up past my ears - a long/wide pad keeps my feet from hanging off the bottom, gives me room to get my arms under my head without my elbows sticking outside of everything, and prevents me from falling off the edge of the pad in the middle of the night. It all depends on how you sleep.

 

[oldgoat]

I'd suggest getting a Big Agnes bag and Big Agnes pad to match. I think the regular would be fine for you, I'm 5'11" and was at about 190 when elk season started, I think I would of liked the long better but slept well in the regular, too big of bag and it's not as warm though. I like the BA combo because they are expressly made to go together, me and the wife are both over fifty and were able to sleep comfortable on the ground this year, my wife is fairly arthritic so I think that says a lot about the BA pad and bag combo!

 

[7mag.]

It's all personal preference, but my hunting partner is 5'7, 180 lbs, and he prefers a long/wide pad.

The wide pads are generally 5 inches wider than regular, and the long pads are generally 6 inches longer.

 

[COlineman78]

I would follow the suggestion of checking them out at REI. You will know immediately if a 25" pad is necessary. I have a 20" Q-Core and when I lay on it my arms fall straight off due to my broad shoulders. I think this is the main driver in whether you need a wide or not. I can sleep on the 20" cause I'm a side sleeper, but I'd much rather have a 25". I don't remember who, but some of the companies make a regular wide. Exped does in some: look for MW size.

 

[Bowjack]

Thanks everyone of your insight and input as it is greatly appreciated. I am excited to start tipi tenting on state lands to get back into some of the wilder places in the search for big bucks. However, I have learned that hunting hard requires a good night's sleep.

 

[jb79]

Sounds like we are built similar, I use a normal pad and quilt but had my borah Bivy made in wide. I am a side/back sleeper and find that it works for me. I would rather had a wide pad but weight/money played a role in that and I am happy with my normal sized stuff!

 

[mrbillbrown]

I went with a long wide pad because when I laid on the regular size my arms would fall off. I start sleeping in my side but always end up on m stomach or back. At 6' tall I also figured the extra few inches in length might help keep me and my mega pullout sized pillow on the pad.

 

[Bowjack]

I might check REI or go with the LW. I also don't like when my arms fall off the side of the pad. I think the LW is worth the weight & expense penalty.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

This is why you play with gear in the backyard first.

 

[oldgoat]

If I was starting from scratch, I know one change I'd make is to get the SL pad with my Big Agnes bag, my pack weight is starting to creep up!

 

[neverquit]

This is why you play with gear in the backyard first.

Buy used and if you don't like it sell it. Don't don't ever let the success of a trip rest on one piece of gear, especially a piece of untested gear.

For what's it's worth I'm 5'8" 195ish I use a thermarest trail scout med. I sleep on my stomach face down. I don't remember the r rating but it's high and its around a pound.
I've sleep on it down into the high 20s with a "32deg" down bag. I have no complaints

http://m.rei.com/product/865152/the...e=&mr:filter=126983819800&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA I'm pretty sure it's this one in med in the 1 in . I use it in rocky AZ I have had no complaints

 

[lintond]

I'm 6'-0" 210# and I use a long wide. I need the length and the width is nice because I roll around a lot. Found myself partially off my pad before I got the wide.

 

[camelcluch]

Big Agnes offers a reg/wide pad if you want the extra width and not the length.

 

[realunlucky]

Big Agnes offers a reg/wide pad if you want the extra width and not the length.

Exped also has a reg/wide I believe

 

[COlineman78]

Yeah, both have them in some models, not all.

 

[mrbillbrown]

Any 6' guys unhappy they bought a reg/wide pad instead of the long?

 

[7mag.]

Any 6' guys unhappy they bought a reg/wide pad instead of the long?

My hunting partner is 5'7", and he sent his back for a long. He said that with his reg/wide, that he would often wake up in the night with his feet off the end.

 

[Bowjack]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I will likely go with the LW versions as it will give me more room, which I need in the chest area. When summer camping I have used the narrow versions under my bag and ave found myself wanting for more room. I often use a Camp Futon from LL Bean for summer camping and find that size perfect. BTW, the Camp Futon equivalent to a LW version of most sleeping pads.