The BEST pad for side sleeping???

[TXHunt]

I’m looking for the absolute BEST sleeping pad for side sleeping with 3 big features…
1) comfort for side sleepers
2) durability
3) quiet

This will be for a 10+ day fly in Alaska hunt. I do not want to worry about it getting a hole and leaking. I am mostly a side sleeper moving from side to side through the night. What is THE BEST out there?

 

[*zap*]

I am laying on it. Thermarest basecamp

 

[diamond10x]

Big Agnes rapide or boundary deluxe

If getting a hole is a worry, I’d be packing some sort of ground sheet/pad.

Assuming this is for a drop camp moose or caribou and not a sheep or goat hunt as those suggestions aren’t the lightest but they’re definitely comfy.

 

[camelcluch]

Exped checks all those boxes for me.

 

[skip189]

Went with the Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated. Went for the biggest size just for comforbility. Has improved my sleeping in the tent so much which I feel makes a big difference.

 

[TXHunt]

Big Agnes rapide or boundary deluxe

If getting a hole is a worry, I’d be packing some sort of ground sheet/pad.

Assuming this is for a drop camp moose or caribou and not a sheep or goat hunt as those suggestions aren’t the lightest but they’re definitely comfy.

It’s for a bear hunt. So while it will come out of my allowance for the bush flight I won’t be packing it on my back.

 

[Legend]

I’m looking for the absolute BEST sleeping pad for side sleeping with 3 big features…
1) comfort for side sleepers
2) durability
3) quiet

This will be for a 10+ day fly in Alaska hunt. I do not want to worry about it getting a hole and leaking. I am mostly a side sleeper moving from side to side through the night. What is THE BEST out there?

Well since you didn't mention any weight restrictions.

EXPED megamat max. Nothing compares. I might take it over my bed. There is something about the stretchy fabric that makes it different than all others.

 

[Quicksilver]

The new thermarest neoloft looks intriguing

 

[*zap*]

Basecamp:
Decent price xl $150.
R-6.
Available in xl- 30" x 77".
Durable material.
Rectangular.
Zap approved after years of usage.

 

[Whaledriver]

BA Boundary. Not ultralight but worth the bulk and weight. I have about 20 nights this year and it has been super comfortable. I have the extra wide and long. I am 6'5" and 230

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

For side sleeping I love the Klymit v-luxe. I’ve used the same pad for 8 years. I bought a insulated version last year and used it the past two seasons.

R-value isn’t the highest, and I bought higher r-value pads, but having used the same Klymit pad for so many years in Alaska I’m sold on them. I’ll share other pad experiences after I’ve slept on a different pad.

 

[LCguy]

Big Agnes

 

[sv315]

I've briefly tried a tensor all-season, xtherm nxt, etherlite xt insulated, and rapide sl insulated, all in wide or wide/long. The etherlite seemed the most comfortable side sleeping, but maybe less warm than similar rated pads. I'd put rapide second, but I don't think the larger side baffles are insulated and that can be noticeable.

 

[doc holiday13]

I've been pretty happy with the Nemo Tensor and side sleeping. I have a discontinued model of a Nemo bag that has a cover over it and its pretty good too

 

[ni7ne]

Is the problem comfort or cold? If comfort, have you tried just putting a cut down closed cell foam mat below the inflatable under hipbone?
When I used a thermarest z lite, I'd just put a single fold in the middle so I had 3x padding under hip.

 

[tttoadman]

I have the exped 7. I have the cover sleeve on it all the time. Bottom is tough. Top is comfortable to lay on. I will sometimes just where my bag like a quilt and sleep directly on the pad.

I make sure and keep the inflation low enough to let the hip and shoulder sink in. Much more comfy.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

I’ll add another vote for the Exped Megamat. There are a bunch of brands that have now come out with similar pads but I have not tried them. I have however, had many a good nights sleep on the Megamat.

 

[schwaf]

If you can afford the weight and space, add a closed cell pad like the Nemo switchback plus an inflatable pad of your choice. I use the insulated Nemo tensor most trips of the year and a Thermarest Xtherm for the rest. As a side sleeper you can under inflate your pad, and any part that would otherwise touch the ground will just contact the ccf pad. Much more comfortable and you never need to deal with cold spots, and even pops or leaks won't be a big deal. You can use the ccf pad outside around camp too. I'd happily take two lightweight pads over 1 ultra deluxe pad.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Sea to summit extherm. 4 inches thick but still backpacking weight. They have the regular and extreme which is a little heavier and warmer.

I am a side sleeper and on the husky side. Only pad that doesn’t let my hip bottom out.

Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad | Sea to Summit

FREE SHIPPING & LIFETIME GUARANTEE. The new Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad brings Air Sprung Cell comfort to the realm of thicker air sleeping mats. Quiet and lightweight, this sleeping mat uses two types of insulation to provide three-season warmth. The XT Air-Sprung Cells are...

seatosummit.com

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Side sleeping comfort is all about pad thickness and keeping the pad under inflated. 3.5" thick is ok, 4" is better. But, the thickness tends to either hurt R value or add weight.

The etherlite insulated is my go to for cool-warm, also have an exped ultra 7R for when it's actually cold.