Side Sleeper ISO Pad

N_Steen

FNG
Joined
Jul 14, 2024
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Any side sleepers out there with a backpack sleeping pad recommendation? Non-frozen ground, air temps down to the 30s.

Looking for something comfortable if possible.
 
If you're completely broke like me, I can tell you that this is what I bought.

One of these:

https://a.co/d/7zJ242h


I slept on it once and it was comfortable. I'm 6'0" 220ish.

My 9 year old boy slept on it the next night. He was fine too.

Pros: It sort of has a built in pillow and an external 'pump'.
Cons: It's about 2 pounds.

I also bought one of these:

https://a.co/d/fVNVdzJ

My daughter slept on it one night. It did fine, so I slept on it the next night. I was perfectly comfortable.

Pros: It only weighs about 1.1#.
Cons: No built in pillow.

We're taking two of the latter out west with us next month. I'm keeping the former pad for car or local use.

Again, please understand that those are *budget* options and I am not intending to compare them to better brands, certainly not in terms of longevity. If they fail on us mid-trip I'll be miserable.
 
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If you're in a sleeping bag and you aren't going below the 30's, a Klymit Static V insulated pad should work well enough. I'm a side sleeper and used one for years. Some people think it's a little thin for a side sleeper, but I normally use a 1.5 in thermarest prolite, so maybe I'm just built different.

If you're in a quilt or if it's going to be colder, the Neoair is the gold standard. The exped choices might be more comfortable for a side sleeper, but nothing matches the warmth to weight ratio of the Neoair.
 
I really liked the Sea to Summit either light XT. I am a side sleeper and loved that pad. I believe they discontinued the XT.

I got the either light XR pro last spring.

It weighs a little more but it is comfortable!
 
Thanks for the feedback. Any side sleep experience with therm-a-rest neoloft large?
The NXT version is much better than the previous model. Let some air out of it while you’re laying on it and can get it as comfortable as possible. Still have some hip pain in the morning though. Sea to Summit is still my preference. My 1.5” summer pad is more comfortable even on my side. Have the XR now to replace the Thermarest but haven’t slept on it. It doesn’t feel as comfortable as the 1.5” summer pad but it’s still better than the Thermarest
 
I side sleep on my Xtherm with zero regrets. I’m not light at 250# and don’t have any problems with side sleeping on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Side sleeper on the xtherm here. Works well, keeps me off the ground. I just purchased a Exped Megamat Ultra. I haven't had the opportunity to sleep on that one yet, but I have high hopes at twice the height of the xtherm.
 
I’ve been using an Exped Downmat 9 for many years. Just blew out a couple of the center baffles so have been searching as a side sleeper. Just became aware of the Thermarest Neoloft and will be giving that a try shortly.
 
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