Sleeping pads

[HuntinFool]

Was wondering your guys opinions on a sleeping pad. I'm not sure wether or not to go with the syn mat 7 ul for $110 or the 2011 thermorest prolite for $60 there is only a couple of ounces difference. I've had a thermorest for years so I'm kinda partial and can vouch for there durability, but the extra r-value from the syn mat is a nice plus. What do you think?

 

[strawman]

For me, the 2.5 inch pads like the UL7 or Neoair are WAY more comfortable. Plus, they're lighter, warmer, and take up less pack space.

 

[Ozz08]

I'm going with the ul 7 this year. I picked it up right after my hunting trips last year so I haven't used it much yet. But it is super light and takes up very little space for the thickness and the added comfort that should come along with that.

 

[Brandon Pattison]

Exped has a new Downmat UL 7 out this year. I am looking hard at it. NeoAir All-Season is nice but I hear that it is noisy.

 

[JG358]

Hard to beat an Exped

 

[HuntinFool]

Guess Ill pull the trigger on an exped, thats what I was leaning towards anyways. Thanks

 

[slim9300]

Guess Ill pull the trigger on an exped, thats what I was leaning towards anyways. Thanks

You will love the Exped UL 7. I have had mine since last spring and it's nearly as nice as my DownMat 9 Pump DLX and that's staying a lot considering it's 27.7 ounces lighter.

 

[RosinBag]

Neoair for the last few years and love it...

 

[Evan Williams]

I am running the Exped Synmat UL 7 and I LOVE it. Best night sleep in the backcountry I have had in years. I do think that the ProLite may have a little better construction as far as durability which is where the weight difference is.

 

[BlackWidowTackle]

I love the exped as I like how it cradles you when you are on it.

 

[bowuntr]

This will be my third season on my Neoair... Never slept better in the backcountry. Ed F

 

[justin davis]

Big Agnes insul air core. Been using one for hunting and camping and all summer long firefighting. Tough mat and you sleep like a king.

 

[slim9300]

Big Agnes insul air core. Been using one for hunting and camping and all summer long firefighting. Tough mat and you sleep like a king.

You may get cold when the temps drop into the 20s and 30s. The R-value on that pad is 1.0. That means it provides zero insulating ability and you are losing body heat like crazy to the ground. I feel like 3.0 is the minimum R-value I look for in a late Sept. hunting pad, with 5.0 being more ideal. (ie. SynMat UL 7 versus DownMat UL 7)

Most people don't realize that a pad is actually more important to staying warm (ie. retaining body heat) in the backcountry than your sleeping bag.

 

[CritterGetter]

You may get cold when the temps drop into the 20s and 30s. The R-value on that pad is 1.0. That means it provides zero insulating ability and you are losing body heat like crazy to the ground. I feel like 3.0 is the minimum R-value I look for in a late Sept. hunting pad, with 5.0 being more ideal. (ie. SynMat UL 7 versus DownMat UL 7)

Most people don't realize that a pad is actually more important to staying warm (ie. retaining body heat) in the backcountry than your sleeping bag.

I'm pretty sure the R value of the BA IAC is more like 4.1...

 

[dotman]

All you guys and your noisy air pads

 

[GJ Dave]

Exped ul 7 for me. Have also used BA insulated air core that has worked great except for it being a liittle slow to deflate. A couple dots of silicon has helped to keep the pad from sliding if that has become a problem for anyone.

 

[slim9300]

I'm pretty sure the R value of the BA IAC is more like 4.1...

I missed the insulated part in his post. My bad. BA makes an Air Core too. I was confused.

The main downfall of the IAC is its weight. Even the mummy is 21 ounces but the full rectangle pad is 24 ounces.

 

[slim9300]

All you guys and your noisy air pads

Once you sleep on air you will never go back. Lol.

At least I don't have the Neo Air. That's the noisiest pad on the planet. It reminded me if tin foil. The UL 7 is easily bearable compared to it.

 

[les welch]

Actually the BAIAC is 27.16 oz if you take the pad, bag, and repair kit......

 

[slim9300]

Actually the BAIAC is 27.16 oz if you take the pad, bag, and repair kit......

Makes sense. I was going off the manufacturer's claim. My UL 7 weighs 17.23 ounces with the stuff sack and repair kit. I measured that one myself.