After 25+ yrs of tripping with wal mart twin air mattresses I’m interested in a smaller yet as comfortable option. Also, have a 10 degree sleeping bag but this thing is huge. I like a non-mummy option with plenty of room but also not so
much that it fills 1/3 of a #4 Duluth pack. Recommendations for both a pad and bag for a big guy?

For saving space, I’d look at the Big Agnes choices. Their system saves a lot of space and has various shape bags. You can also use an Exped pad instead of a BA one. Some of those Expeds are really nice and will keep you good and warm.

An insulated pad #1. Many similar brand options available. Some research on this site, using the search key will help narrow down your options.
#2. Perhaps a "quality" top quilt would work best for your needs. There are many cottage venders out there, with all of the choices for length, width and temperature
ratings. Enjoy the search.

We use Klymit pads… several styles and pack small.

Kelty make some down bags that are nice and pack down well too

You didn't mention many specifics - budget, size, weight, temp rating. I like my Thermarest Neo-Air XTherm. It's warm, comfortable, light, and compact. I'm not familiar with non-mummy bags, but most makers have size options. Down bags will pack small and be warm and comfortable. Use a compression stuff sack. There are a lot of good quality pads and bags if you look around.

Last year I got a Thermarest NeoAir Topo Luxe and love it. It's about as good as an inflatable pad gets. The extra inch of thickness compared to my old pad makes a big difference.

Depending on your budget, for a sleeping bag you can't really compete with down bags in terms of packability and weight. I have a hoodless 20 degree bag from Feathered Friends that packs to the size of Nalgene bottle, Western Mountaineering is another top-tier brand for down bags, both will run anywhere between $500-1000 but for a key piece of gear it's worth the expense.

For sleeping pad, I've been through a bunch and so far the new Thermarest Neoair Xlite NXT has been the best, it was released earlier this year to replace the older Neoair which wasn't as great (if you go this route make sure not to buy the older pre-2023 version). The new Xtherm variant of the same pad would be a great cold weather option but personally it was overkill for me.

I've had good luck with Klymit pads, their Luxe pads are a bit thicker and wider.

https://klymit.gathroutdoors.com/products/insulated-static-v-luxe-sleeping-pad?title=default+title

Maybe consider a quilt over another bag? Lots of options out there, Enlightened Equipment and Hammock Gear have treated me well.

AlexanderSupertramp: "Depending on your budget, for a sleeping bag you can't really compete with down bags in terms of packability and weight. I have a hoodless 20 degree bag from Feathered Friends that packs to the size of Nalgene bottle, Western Mountaineering is another top-tier brand for down bags, both will run anywhere between $500-1000 but for a key piece of gear it's worth the expense.


For sleeping pad, I've been through a bunch and so far the new Thermarest Neoair Xlite NXT has been the best, it was released earlier this year to replace the older Neoair which wasn't as great (if you go this route make sure not to buy the older pre-2023 version). The new Xtherm variant of the same pad would be a great cold weather option but personally it was overkill for me."

I would like to second the Western Mountaineering bags recommendation. I own two. For the BWCA from May-End of August, my go to is the WM MityLite. I generally open it up and use it as a quilt, but if you have a cooler night in the 40s, it's cozy zipped up. It's super small in its stuff sack, around a nalgene size. It can be compressed smaller. Feathered Friends also makes top tier bags, and I wouldn't hesitate to get one of those either. The quality and craftmanship on my WM bags is outstanding, and I'm sure FF is the same. Buy one, and it's good for decades. My oldest WM bag is a 20F rated bag and is 20 years old, still going strong! Too hot for me in the BWCA in the summer.

Another hack we've done is to make a sleeve that fits over the sleeping pad out of sheets. My mom is handy with a sewing machine, so we have sleeves that go over each sleeping pad. One side is flannel, the other cotton, so you have a cool side and a warm side. That way, you can open up the bag like a quilt and just sleep on the pad like it's a mattress. It's pretty uncomfortable to sleep on the pad with nothing on it, sort of sticky.

Another option depending on your priorities would be a sea to summit comfort plus pad- they make an XT version, and either Marmot trestle XT bag or Big Agnes Torchlight, which comes in down or synthetic and has expander zippers along the entire length of the bag. My son is 6' 5" and 240# and is comfortable with those as a side sleeper. He's tried Klymit pads and some of the others mentioned, although not the NeoAir, and they just weren't wide or long enough.

The torchlight packs pretty small with a drybag compression sack. The Sea to Summit is not super small but we get 2 of them, our bags, and all our clothes and gear except the kitchen/tarps/tent in one Ostrom pack.

i like wiggies sleeping bags. i have a 20 degree and have run it down to 20 with no xtra blankets or liners. i need to call them up and get a over bag +40 degrees, special order 2X tall and 2x wide.

i may pack a woobie blanket depending on how close to the lows is predicted or if it is hot, sleep on top, with a light blankie. but that is how i would do it

andym: "For saving space, I’d look at the Big Agnes choices. Their system saves a lot of space and has various shape bags. You can also use an Exped pad instead of a BA one. Some of those Expeds are really nice and will keep you good and warm. "

I also really appreciate Big Agnes for having extended widths as well as lengths. They're pricey, but should last very well. I like having the sleeve in the back that your sleeping pad slides into as it both keeps you on your pad all night and reduces the fill (thus also size and weight) of the bag itself.

I use a big agnes boundry and my son uses the rapide for pads and we love them. Considerably more expensive and smaller than air mattress but more comfortable and better heat retention in my experience. I use a custom quilt from enlightened equipment or ugg depending on temp. A custom quilt is probably about the same price of a nice roomy mummy bag but it will be way lighter and you have the option to get better down(lighter more packable) I know nemo makes a bag called the disco or riff that people love for its romminess, down quality, and weight.

iwegean: "
#2. Perhaps a "quality" top quilt would work best for your needs. There are many cottage venders out there, with all of the choices for length, width and temperature
ratings. Enjoy the search. "

I'm leaning this way as well. A top quilt will give you the space you need as a bigger guy.

I love Exped not only do they have quality products but they absolutely stand behind their product.

I had a blown baffle on my down mat 7 and they asked me to take a picture and gave me my choice of their entire product line for mats. I ended up taking the UL wide and long something or another. Point is they stand tall behind their product. I just wish they would switch the baffles horizontally.

: "I love Exped not only do they have quality products but they absolutely stand behind their product."

Totally agree. I've slept on my Exped Synmat 3D-7 (on top of a regular mattress on my bed at home) every night for about 7 years. It's been so long I've actually lost count. I top off the mattress with one breath about every 6 months. That's pretty amazing. Every time I've called Exped I've had excellent service. Real, well-informed people answer the phone with usually no wait time.