Sleeping pads

[wadelriley]

Hey I'm going to be on an archery elk hunt in mid September in Colorado. I was wondering what sleeping pads you all used. I would like one that, of course, is light and also packs down small and is comfortable. Do you guys have any suggestions? Thanks, Riley

 

[COlineman78]

What's your size/weight? Are you a side or back sleeper? Are you set on a 20 or 25" pad? How high are you going?

I have a Nemo that is my favorite and a BA Q-Core which is my warmest. My problem with the Q-Core is that it was my first 20" pad and I found that I don't sleep as well on them and I'd rather carry the extra weight. That being said if I were trying to go UL I'd go with a 20" short, but I am the type that would rather carry a few extra pounds for a couple hours than be miserable for a week.

 

[ndbuck09]

Ive used one of the original thermarest neoair's for the past 5 years. Ive been thinking about getting a new one which is a little lighter and better built. hard to beat a 1 pound pad that is nearly as comfortable as thick pump mattresses

 

[xziang]

Heard good things about BA Q-Core.
Last two years I've used a thermarest pro-lite which I liked and didn't have any issues with. What I didn't like about it was it wouldn't compress down that far. This year I was able to pick up a thermarest neo-air xlite which will be 'louder' but compresses down more and is a bit lighter too. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the options mentioned so far.

 

[RyanC]

I currently use the Thermarest Neo-Air Xlite. It is very light and compact but it is a bit noisy when rolling over or moving around…..sounds like you're lying on a bag of potato chips!! It has a grippy surface so you don't slip off the pad and really the pros outweigh the cons. The only other pad I would throw in there that hasn't been mentioned yet is the Exped Synmat Hyperlite. It is a good looking pad, slept on it one time and it was very comfortable, weighs in at 12.3oz. Good luck on your search and good luck in CO!!

 

[Jarrod Renaud]

Youre gonna get a thousand answers. Heres mine:

Give Sea To Summit Comfort Light a good look. If theres an REI near you, go try one out.

 

[COlineman78]

I currently use the Thermarest Neo-Air Xlite. It is very light and compact but it is a bit noisy when rolling over or moving around…..sounds like you're lying on a bag of potato chips!! It has a grippy surface so you don't slip off the pad and really the pros outweigh the cons. The only other pad I would throw in there that hasn't been mentioned yet is the Exped Synmat Hyperlite. It is a good looking pad, slept on it one time and it was very comfortable, weighs in at 12.3oz. Good luck on your search and good luck in CO!!

Yeah, the Q-Core is a great option.

Advantages
- Super Warm
- Super Quiet
- Dimples rather than baffles
- Great Warmth/Weight Ratio
- Much thicker than Neo-Air: great for side sleepers

Disadvantages
- No dump valve, only traditional twist type valve (takes a while to get rolled up/inflated)
- Slick on both top and bottom, I added ShoeGoo stripes to both sides
- Expensive

If you're interested, SHTF just posted a regular size one for sale, and I could be convinced to part with my long so that I can upgrade to the wide.

 

[Shrek]

Exped UL7 Synmat. I think there is a buy on Massdrop.com now.

 

[wadelriley]

I'm 6' 180lbs. I'd almost prefer a 25" and I'd say anywhere from 10000 to 12000 ft. I'm not totally sure on the elevation...

 

[jlivgren]

Exped down lite 5. Wide long

 

[thunderchicken21]

Exped Synmat 7 for me...I'm 6'4" and 225...went with the long wide version. It's heavier compared to others, but the built in pump is a nice feature...and it's super comfortable

 

[SHTF]

I have a Qcore Standard size for sale here if your interested. Save yourself 40$ This one is perfect.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/show...Qcore-20x72x4-inch-Perfect-condition-for-sale I have a Long wide coming in of the same pad. They are pretty nice. I also use an Exped SynMat 7 Air Pad with Pump Both are fantastic pads. I couldnt really choose between the 2 so I use them both depending on situation and area Im going into.

Good luck on your search.

 

[Bonedalien]

- Slick on both top and bottom, I added ShoeGoo stripes to both sides

i love my Q-Core, and now thanks to this genius idea im going to love it even more!
good stuff CO78!

 

[COlineman78]

i love my Q-Core, and now thanks to this genius idea im going to love it even more!
good stuff CO78!

Some also mix in mineral water to thin out the silicon, which I would do if I were to do it again. Also adding a couple lines to the floor of the tent can help too depending on what tent you have this may or may not be necessary.

 

[Bonedalien]

Some also mix in mineral water to thin out the silicon, which I would do if I were to do it again. Also adding a couple lines to the floor of the tent can help too depending on what tent you have this may or may not be necessary.

im floorless in a Sawtooth. always waking up pretty far from my also slick base scrap of Tyvek.

 

[husky390]

BA Q-core is my 1'st choice. I tried the Exped Synmat 7 and it's a p.o.s. First night out it had a slow leak and deflated on me in the middle of the night. It has no obvious holes so I'm thinking it has a leak in the seam. Exped wants me to pay to ship it back to them for repair and I'm really not impressed with that at all.

 

[bpctcb]

Im 6' x 205# and I've got the Q-core in a long x wide...it rocks!

It's my go to pad this year for my spike camp with a BD megalight.

BP

 

[ndforbes]

I'm 6'2" and weight 220. Like a lot of guys, I use a Q-core SL and I really like it. It is light, comfortable, and packs small. I do hate how slippery it is, but even with that headache, I end up leaving my thermarest pads at home one every trip that I take. I'm going to try COlineman78's shoegoo trick and see how that works out.

One thing to consider.....the BA pads don't seem to last as long as the Thermarest pads. I have had the Thermarest pads last forever and have seen several friends go through their Q-core pads in just a year or two.

 

[husky390]

I'm 6'2" and weight 220. Like a lot of guys, I use a Q-core SL and I really like it. It is light, comfortable, and packs small. I do hate how slippery it is, but even with that headache, I end up leaving my thermarest pads at home one every trip that I take. I'm going to try COlineman78's shoegoo trick and see how that works out.

One thing to consider.....the BA pads don't seem to last as long as the Thermarest pads. I have had the Thermarest pads last forever and have seen several friends go through their Q-core pads in just a year or two.

Did your friends send their pads into BA? I thought they had a lifetime warranty.

 

[COlineman78]

Did they have the SL or regular? The SL seems to have sacrificed durability for weight savings.