I need a pad for my old bones the one I had last year was not thick enough
Here's the one I bought a couple years ago and it was night and day difference from my little thermarest. It's a Big Agnus insulated aircore. I also looked at the Exped but they were more money.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___27342
I'm 43 and wake up pretty crooked if not on a pad or one massive pile of pine needles. I got one from the Sportsman's guide cheap...military surplus. Works great.
The one above looks to be better quality though.
Exped. It's well worth the extra $$. I bought 2 many years ago that started to leak after much use. The company replaced them with the new model no charge. They are the most comfortable and warmest sleeping pad I have used. My wife has had 2 back surgeries and can sleep comfortably on the Exped. I have used mine up to 8 weeks a year fire fighting and hunting/backpacking. I will purchase again if necessary. This from a 61 year old.
I used my Big Agnes Insulated Air Core for a long time and it was better than sleeping on my bed at home. With that said, I am going to try something new this year.
Thermarest NeoAir and the Exped Down or Synmat are the final contestants...
Steve beat me to it. The Big Agnes will give you a good night's sleep. It is light weight and packs really small.
Hey Steve, what are you going to do ?, sleep on the Big Agnes at home, :biglaugh:
I have taken the Thermarest neoair to Alaska, northern and souther CA, and Arizona and love it.
Super light and more comfy than anything that weighs so little should weigh.
I used to be a foam pad guy and called these air pads "geezer pleezers", but they are awesome.
No issues with popping either and I have a few buddies with a few hundred days on one on backpack hunts as well.
I use a Big Agnus insulated air cor but for less weight the neoair is alot lighter but cost alot more. If you are going to use it in the cold I highly recemend you put a 1/2 inch foam pad on top to help keep cold from comming threw and a pluss is it is even more comfy. Widow
Exped Downmat 9 is what I use and can't recommend it highly enough. I also place it on top of a LuxuryLite cot and the combo is as nice as it gets. The ability to get a great night's sleep and wake up refreshed and ready for heavy climbing and hiking the next morning makes it worth the considerable expense.
When I was younger I could sleep on rocks and not have any issues the next morning. But this geezer loves his comfy bed on those cold Alaskan nights.
I have the BA, Exped synmatt and therma rest trekker. I'm 6'3" 230 so I need the big wider than 20" pads otherwise I slide off of them.
The BA is a decent bang for the buck-not what I consider a quality pad, my least favorite
The Exped is very good quality, has a flatter surface and is quieter than the rest- excellent warranty but its heavier than the others. Had this one in 10 degree temps and no cold spots. The integral pump in these is cool when you get the hang of it. [I have a brand new warranty replacement I might want to part with]
The trekker is excellent also [much quieter than the crinkly Neo- air version] but its not as insulated as the Exped though lighter. I have only had it a short time but in 30 deg night temps with no problem. There is an all season version of this same pad that has more insulation if you are in cold temps.
You want to get an insulated version of pad if you are using a down bag.
OK Bruce, I call first dibs...PM me with what model and how much you want for it!
I Like the Big Agnes sleeping bags...no insulation on the bottom to crush and no way to slip off the pad. I have a Deep Creek--waterproof and down filled. With that said, I am very intrigued by the Kifaru Slick bag and that is on the list to try!
-take a look at the REI Lite-Core 1.5 sleeping pad. I did a 75 km backpacking trip last spring where temps got down into the high 30's. Never got cold from the ground, high inflation for a comfortable night, and a 3.2 R value. Light weight too.
Therma rest trekker works for me. About a pound and rolls up smaller than a loaf of bread. Fits great in a daypack along with a marmot bag.
I'm going with the Neo air this year, with a foam pad for protection.
The Exped downmat is what I run from late September through the winter. They're much warmer than anything else I've ran... Except maybe the POC pad that has aerogel strips. The exped is by far more comfortable. I run that with a Western Mountaineering Badger sleeping bag, and I'm good to right around 20 degrees. Colder than that and I put clothes on.
For warmer times of the year, I use a Neo Air trekker and a North Face Cats Meow 6'6" bag. Quite a bit less bulk and about 1 3/4 Lbs less weight.
I can't reccomend the Big Agness insulated air core. I've had two of them start leaking around the valve, and BA customer service sucks.
Great thread with perfect timing.
Some great info with a few E.F. Hutton voices too.
I slept like a baby on my Big Agnes pad, warm and comfy.
nothing more comfy than an Exped Downmatt 9!!