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04/05/2020 09:53AM  
Looking to get a new sleeping pad for this year. Currently have an off-brand self inflating mummy pad with foam inside. It is bulky, heavy, and takes up way to much pack space, but decently comfortable for what it is.

I found this 2S2 one at REI for their membership sale. Seems to be a decent deal and fit what I am looking for (lightweight and compact), and has a pump sack. Any one have this pad and have some feedback?

There are also several off-brand on Amazon around for $30-$50 range that appear similar on the surface, but not sure if I want to trust one of those again. TIA for your thoughts.
 
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04/05/2020 10:24AM  
I see that one is uninsulated with an R-value of 1.1; you'll want al least 3 for 3-season use.

Here's an article you may be interested in.
 
04/05/2020 11:34AM  
I have recently bought a couple of Therm-A-Rest Prolite Apex pads. Lightweight and pack about half the size of my former Therm-A-Rest pads.

I haven't field tested it yet. But just the space saving in my pack will help me sleep better :)
 
04/05/2020 01:03PM  
The one you selected also has a couple of really bad reviews about early failure. I would second the suggestion to find one with insulation, and you should be able to find one with good reviews about longevity. I personally have an exped synmat and love it. Maybe 14 years old?
 
fraxinus
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04/05/2020 02:47PM  
I've always liked Outdoogearlab as a source for reviews. I believe that they're an independent reviewer, don't depend on manufacturers for advertising etc..

Here's their 2020 review on sleeping pads
OUtdoorgearlab
 
schweady
distinguished member(8068)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
04/05/2020 03:30PM  
One that goes on my list of Best Equipment Upgrades Ever: Klymit Insulated Static V. Lightweight, quick to inflate, comfortable sleeping in any position, good insulation, packs compactly. Usually on sale somewhere. A major improvement over my old standby, an original Therm-a-Rest from the 1970s.
 
billconner
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04/05/2020 05:57PM  
I have the Exped Synmat UL medium and am very pleased. Just under a pound and about the size of a 1 liter Nalgene. I use it with their air pilow and schnozzle.
 
04/05/2020 08:29PM  
From my research, the Expeds are great for comfort, but do not pack very small and are much heavier than others.

As for the insulation or R-value, not too worried about that. I sleep very warm, and dont camp much in shoulder seasons (May - September mostly).

The review sites are nice to help give some guidance, thanks fraxinus and boonie.

Going to sleep on this, no pun intended, and make a decision tomorrow (sale and 20% coupons end at REI tomorrow).
 
Jackfish
Moderator
  
04/06/2020 06:41AM  
CampSR: "From my research, the Expeds are great for comfort, but do not pack very small and are much heavier than others. "


Exped Synmat 7 LW. No internal pump. I use the Schnozzel bag (see video) to inflate. Maybe 4-5 bags of air and your pad is full. The schnozzel obviously weighs nothing. I can't find my hand-held scale, but I can tell you the pad is not heavy at all.

 
04/06/2020 09:55AM  
My experience is it can definitely get cold enough at night, especially in Sept., to want some insulation. Many nights around freezing in Sept. Sleeping bag ratings assume you'll be sleeping on a pad sufficient for the temps and also that you'll be wearing a base layer. I think you'll be much happier with one with an R-value of 3.
 
SevenofNine
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04/06/2020 12:16PM  
Yes, please get yourself an insulated pad. Even in summer the ground can be very cold on certain days. Exped in their synmat versions can be quite light. Don’t get stuck on the manufacturer versus comfort. I was glad I went to REI and tried several before buying my pad. I found a 2 inch pad insufficient and opted for a 2.5”. I ended up with a Nemo Tensor because I had an REI dividend to spend. I’m happy with the new pad.
 
04/06/2020 01:41PM  
CampSR: "From my research, the Expeds are great for comfort, but do not pack very small and are much heavier than others.


As for the insulation or R-value, not too worried about that. I sleep very warm, and dont camp much in shoulder seasons (May - September mostly).


The review sites are nice to help give some guidance, thanks fraxinus and boonie.


Going to sleep on this, no pun intended, and make a decision tomorrow (sale and 20% coupons end at REI tomorrow)."


You should do more research. You will get cold in May-Sept. with an uninstalled pad. Anywhere below 60 degrees. Any insulation in the bag or on you will get compressed and loose value.
Exped's make some very pack able mattresses my 3 season Exped Lite 5 down filled, 4.1 R Value and a pound and a half. I have seen it for less than $100 just need to shop. Sportsmans Guide Exped 5 Lite The one I use is lighter because AI searched out a 60 inch length.
Lots of similar pads, but I'd like to convince you saving $$ on sleeping gear is not a way to get good sleep.
Far as reviews I prefer the reviews given by the members here way above and beyond any other source. They use gear in similar conditions with the same basic purpose. I know many very well and appreciate their thoughts. In general they know what they are talking about, have invested in the gear, certainly are not extravagant.

butthead
 
04/06/2020 08:30PM  
As far as comfort , my Nemo Cosmo is heads up the most comfortable mat I have used. May be to heavy for your taste.
 
04/07/2020 07:57AM  
walllee: "As far as comfort , my Nemo Cosmo is heads up the most comfortable mat I have used. May be to heavy for your taste."

+1
 
Nineteenpack
member (36)member
  
04/15/2020 11:24PM  
Ive got the Sea to Summit series sleeping pads and love them. Ive got one with a 1.0R, the 4' 3.2R that I just purchased and a 3.7R. Like others, I would recommend a 3.0R or above for shoulder season camping in Minnesota. I am actually selling my 1.0R and 3.7R Sea to Summit on eBay right now. eBay is an excellent area to shop cheaper new and used gear, you can find Sea to summit pads for at or under $100 with a 3.0R. Happy Gear Hunting
 
twistertail
senior member (86)senior membersenior member
  
04/16/2020 10:04AM  
schweady: "One that goes on my list of Best Equipment Upgrades Ever: Klymit Insulated Static V. Lightweight, quick to inflate, comfortable sleeping in any position, good insulation, packs compactly. Usually on sale somewhere. A major improvement over my old standby, an original Therm-a-Rest from the 1970s."

I got one of these last year for my trip and love it. Very comfy, easy to inflate and packs really small. I've even used it a few times at home to sleep on the floor when the wife kicks me out of bed, much more comfortable than the couch.
 
SamanthaLauryl
member (15)member
  
04/16/2020 09:51PM  
I'm a "common man" kinda woman. I go for cheaper gear that does the job and maybe has to be replaced more often. That's just what I have the money for, personally. These are the pads I've had experience with the last few years.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0725ZHCQB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This first one is made by EcoTek and was my personal pad for two years before the seals began to fail. Basically that just means that it lost some air as I slept on it overnight - especially noticeable in cold weather. Before it began to fail at the end of last year's season (April-October for us) it never caused me any problems. Super small and lightweight, perfect for tent or hammock camping. We do a 2-3 day trip every other week at state campgrounds/forests during the season and a 10 day trip in the Boundary Waters every year in July. This pad served me very well during that entire time.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075Z3LGM9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This was my man's pad for the same length of time as I had mine. His is slightly different in that it blows up on both sides, each of which are independent of each other. The idea being that if you pop a hole in one side, the other will still inflate. He liked this about it, but I found it unnecessary. Also the tabs to deflate the pad on both sides were placed in a way that he fairly frequently would accidentally pop the side his feet were on in the middle of the night - ending up with his butt on the ground. Other than that issue, it worked just fine for him. Lasted about as long too - his will also need to be replaced this year.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LPRROLY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These we bought for the kids. I would not recommend for anyone looking to lighten their load. They're very heavy and bulky. They're huge when inflated - good for someone wanting to stay off the ground for sure, but little else. They inflate by putting your bare heel over the valve and pumping it up. Kids took like 20 minutes to get it filled up - probably would take less for an adult to do it, but I would never choose this kind of inflation system. It's way more time consuming than the other pads that only take like 8 full breaths to inflate.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B076PHYVD8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the pad I bought this year to replace the EcoTek in my pack. Same size, same basic construction, works the same. Used in an overnight tent trip last weekend, low temp at 30 degrees, poncho liner and an 80/20 wool blanket with this pad kept me plenty warm.
 
04/17/2020 08:05AM  
 
04/20/2020 03:55PM  
I have done some more research, and have a few I have found with decent price (see photo). The Nemo seems really nice, but obviously more $$. Thinking of going with the BA Q-Core SLX due to good combo of insulation but still very light weight.

Thanks for the advice so far.
 
04/20/2020 05:33PM  
That's a good pad at a good price. It will serve you well.
 
04/22/2020 08:26AM  
boonie: "That's a good pad at a good price. It will serve you well. "


Thanks! REI ended up putting on sale and I actually got it for $80 instead so even better.
 
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