Sleeping Pads

[Vitals]

So I am getting ready for my first ever backpack hunting trip into the Marble Mountain Wilderness this season and so gear acquisition begins. I am a complete green horn when it comes to this style of hunting and gear. Last year I purchased the Horn Hunter Full Curl System, so I feel set as far as my pack goes. Boots are first on my agenda, and something else I would like some guidance on is a sleeping pad. My buddy recommended the Big Agnus Air Core and I was wondering what others are out there that you have used and are pleased with. All suggestions on this are greatly appreciated, I need all the help I can get fellas.

*This is also my first post on this forum. BigsurArcher turned me on to it and I have to say....there is so much great information here it is a little overwhelming. Glad to be here.

 

[Aron Snyder]

Neo Air Xlite is the shiznizzle

 

[Justin Crossley]

I really like the ThermaRest Xtherm I got this year.

Some guys have said that it's loud to sleep on but I don't think it's bad at all.

The Big Agnus is a good one too.

 

[armyjoe]

Exped UL7. Best I've used and doesn't sound like a bag of potato chips your sleeping on (cough cough Xlite)

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Big Agnes Insulated Q Core SL has been working well for me so far although they are pretty new. The Big Agnes Insulated Air Core has worked very well for years for me, and the Exped UL7 has held up pretty well for me as well. I do not prefer the Thermarests for their noisy potato chip bag insulation.

 

[goodgrouper]

The Big Agnes insulated Q is soooo comfy. I bought my wife one last year and now that I've tried it a couple times I believe I'll get one of my own. Also welcome aboard Vitals, this is the best hunting forum on the web.

 

[shaun]

Neo Air Xlite is the shiznizzle

That is the pad I want. I missed out last night on ebay

 

[dryflyguy]

It kind of depends on the emphasis you place on comfort, weight, and bulk in my opinion. I am currently using the neo air pad in a mid length, but I valued weight and bulk much more than comfort.

 

[RosinBag]

NeoAir xlite all day everyday...

PM me if you want to talk Marble Mountains. I have been in there dozens of times.

 

[bowuntr]

I love my Neoair Xlite sooo much... I'm buying one for my wife. Ed F

 

[HellsCanyon]

Just got my shipping email for my big Agnes Q core SL today. Pretty excited. It's a huge upgrade in the weight and comfort department. Would've gone Xtherm but was scared I wouldn't like the noise, especially when hunting with a partner.

Mike

 

[HJ Handy]

Neo air xtherm. Ultra light and warm. I would get the xtherm over the standard neo air. For your boots, buy something of quality that can be re-soled and fits your foot well, gives good support and is made for packing 50+ pound loads. You'll be looking at $300.00+ on a good pair of boots. I'm 5 years on my Lowa Sheep Hunters. I only wear them hunting and hiking so the soles get more life but its about time to take them to the cobbler and have them re-soled.

 

[Nick Muche]

Another vote for the XTherm, I fall asleep pretty quick so I do not notice any of the noise that folks talk about. It's warm and it's light.

 

[wapitibob]

exped 9. I wanted the biggest thing I could get, next to a mattress.

 

[Slim Jim]

This threads a few weeks old but I bought the neoair xlite from REI this week and saved myself 10oz from what I previously had. I went into REI looking to buy the BA air core SL but after laying on both the BA and neo I changed my mind. The BA is way to narrow for me and slippery. I thought about the wide but then the weight goes up. There's NO way I'd stay on the 20" wide when sleeping. I know some of you add silicone dots but it wouldn't matter, the pad is like laying on a blow up long thin pillow. The xlite had more grip, wider and didn't feel like I would slip off at all while sleeping. I'm an early season hunter 90% of the time so the R rating will be fine.

 

[trk3263]

Had the Xlite and loved it and now have the Xtherm since I bought a quilt. I don't even notice the noise. I wouldn't mind getting another Xlite for warmer weather as the Xtherm is definitely WARM.

 

[Kevin Root]

NeoAir Xlite works well for me, lightweight, compact and comfortable. Best wishes for you hunting the Marble Mountains wilderness Vitals. I hunted there a two years back. Lots of country to cover and explore there.

 

[gobbler1662]

Had the original neo air and loved it went to the x-lite loved it now have the x-therm warm but love it also. Just picked up a Q-Core SL at REI yesterday for 119.95 during their sale. Cant wait to try it. Really like the 3.5 thickness

 

[Timberninja]

My girlfriend just got a neoair xlite, just got back from two days camping and I'm buying earplugs for our next outing.. I have an exped synmat ul7, quiet as the night.

 

[luke moffat]

Interesting to see the new Big Agnes Insulated air cores are 3.25" thick for the same weight and the ones I run are only 2.5" hmmm that could be nice.