Sleeping Pad/Tent Opinions?

[jetboatinghunter]

Hello,

Just curious what you guys are running for sleeping pads.  My dad and I need to upgrade for hunting this fall, but would like to hear what everyone else is using first?  I have looked on line at REI, and the choices seem intimidating.  Would like something that I am able to sleep on my side on, comfortably, that doesn't weigh too much. 

I am also curious what the consensus is on Big Agnes products?  Good/bad etc?  I am thinking about purchasing one of their ultra light backpacking tents.

Thoughts?  Thanks!   

[grade-creek-rd]

where I go it's usually really nasty weather...so I use a combo system. I have 4 essentials that I use (after years of researching via "hard knox"...) which is a good down bag, and a Big Agnes air pad (they make them with a filler now that helps insulate the air so they are very warm...I have the 2" long pad) both tucked into a bivy bag and all in a small tent...the idea of the bivy bag keeps me on my pad at night and also keeps my sleeping system clean and warm. I can crawl inside my tent soaking wet and muddy boots still on. Take everything off (putting my boots outside under my vestibule/rain fly) and my clothes hanging inside the tent...if they drip on me, oh well...as I am comfy and dry inside my bivy bag, in the down bag always on my pad...since I put the pad inside my bivy sack it can't slide out from under me.

So to answer your qestion...you will love Big Agnes products (tent I got is an off brand...so far so good, but when it goes bad I will by a Big Agnes). Remember the saying..."buy cheap, buy twice."

G-C-R

[actionshooter]

The big agnes pads are decent, but the cadilac of sleeping pads are the Exped Downmat!!

[bloodhound]

i have an rei one man tent that i have had for ten years almost and the thing is still water proof, and i use it at least once a year but usually more. its also small enough that i can set it up in the back of my truck so i dont have to lay on the ground on un even surface if im camping at my truck.

[Crunchy]

I am usually so tired from hiking all day that a pad isnt necessary.  I am out like a light in about three minutes.  So no pad needed or used.

[MikeWalking]

After 30+ years of sleeping on the ground with more and more injuries/problems piling up I've settled on a Big Agnes air mattress.  I have too much trouble with my hips and lower back to sleep even OK on anything else.  Not with out Help anyway and JD+Advil+Nyquil or such combo is not OK when I want to be up well before dawn

I didn't buy the insulated one, wish I had.  When I can justify buying a new bag it will be a Big Ag too, with the sleeve for the pad.   I bought my summer tent, an REI 1/4dome UL before I saw the Big Ag products or I might have bought one of those too.

The 1/4dome is almost all mesh and is very breezy.  Too short for my Long bag but not in the  the winter tent.  I found a $400 -5 650fill bag with a DryLoft shell for $280 about 1994  It's 15 or so inches longer than I am tall, room for boots (in  a plastic bag) on Snowshoe trips

I have an old Sierra Designs Nightwatch CD for a winter tent, 17years?  The Fly is shot but it has weathered February at 6000 feet with days of 100mph gusts (and a helicopter landing/take off 30ft away-story for another thread)

I've tried just about every type of pad on the market except for the Exped Downmat and I'm pretty much sold on my Air Mattress.  The days of being able to sleep on the ground with a cookie thin closed cell foam pad are long gone.

[Skyvalhunter]

I have used the Big Agnes system for years now and really like it. Much better than the old therma rest way which I went with for a long time. I do alot of off trail backpacking and hiking and getting a good nights rest without tossing and turning is a must. But you ask a wide variety of people this question and you are going to get just that a variety. Some people experience is different than others and stick with what works best for them based on their limited experience.

[ICEMAN]

$7 Wally World foam pad. Warmer than the others, can sit on it on a rock or log around the fire... would make a fine splint if necessary, no chance of deflating unexpectedly with a new leak, you can mount it on the outside of your pack and brushwhack without worry about puncturing it.

No muss, no fuss, cheap.

Save the $80 bucks, you are going to need the cash to pay your taxes this January.

[brocka]

I am a fan of the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core myself. I just bought it this year and I have a few nights on it so far. Very comfortable.

[7mag.]

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core, or the new Q Core. The Q Core is a little pricey, but supposed to be really nice. I used the closed cell foam pads for years, and I just can't do it any more. The IAC is what I use now. I am looking to upgrade my bag to Big Agnes as well, one of the down versions. If you need a great back packing tent, Golite is having a close out sale right now. Most things are 40- 50% off. Look at the Shangra-La 3 or 5. Great light weight tents.

[Miles]

Here is a good breakdown of sleeping pads (weight/R-value/price/etc...) for you:

http://sectionhiker.com/sleeping-pad-r-values/


I use the BA insulated air core and am happy with it.

[Shawn Ryan]

I also have the BA insulated air core and like it.  Though, Actionshooter probably has the Cadillac of pads with the Exped Downmat. 

Agree with 7Mag on the Go-Lite ShangriLa tents. I have an SL4 (replaced by the SL5 now).  I really like the floorless concept, light weight, and large footprint.  It has plenty of room for 2 hunters, all their gear, a small wood stove, and only weighs about 2 1/2 lbs without the nest and floor.  I have spent 18-20 days each September in it for the last several years without any problems.

[fillthefreezer]

i use a zlite pad and while not the most comfortable thing its fool proof and light.

used my sl-5 last weekend and im really liking it. super light, easy to set up. we had 2 people plus gear ad my 85lb dog and there was plenty of room.

[Fester]

Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Trekker Large. Very light 16oz. VERY VERY comfortable. packs small. Well worth the money for us older folks that need a good night sleep up in those high mountain hikes. Any Tarptent. I prefer the double rainbow.

[Miles]

Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Trekker Large. Very light 16oz. VERY VERY comfortable. packs small. Well worth the money for us older folks that need a good night sleep up in those high mountain hikes. Any Tarptent. I prefer the double rainbow.

Doesn't have a very high R-value at 2.0.  There are better options if you're going to be using it in cold weather.  It's actually listed as being heavier than the BA insulated air core (which has an r-value of 4.1).

Unless you're referring to the torso length pad, I see it being 26 oz.

[MikeWalking]

$7 Wally World foam pad. Warmer than the others, can sit on it on a rock or log around the fire... would make a fine splint if necessary, no chance of deflating unexpectedly with a new leak, you can mount it on the outside of your pack and brushwhack without worry about puncturing it.

That's about what I have in the Jeep.  After nearly buying the $100 Cabela's deluxe roll-up I spotted some 3 inch foam sheets at Freddy's. $17. I wrapped an old  wool blanket around one and put it in a dirt cheap Kelty synthetic bag  I won playing 10cent Pull tabs.  The bag got bleach spilled on it before I ever used it and had holes eaten in the lining.  So it's a mattress cover now.   

[CoachNemo]

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core all the way!  I love mine

[Fester]

Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Trekker Large. Very light 16oz. VERY VERY comfortable. packs small. Well worth the money for us older folks that need a good night sleep up in those high mountain hikes. Any Tarptent. I prefer the double rainbow.

Doesn't have a very high R-value at 2.0.  There are better options if you're going to be using it in cold weather.  It's actually listed as being heavier than the BA insulated air core (which has an r-value of 4.1).

Unless you're referring to the torso length pad, I see it being 26 oz.

Whoops I gave the wrong info on my pad, I have the all season neoair Large 25 oz with a 4.9 r rating.
I remembered it was brand new out last year so I waited to get that because of the higher r rating and included stuff sack, which didn't come with the earlier models. Any weight I can remove but still keep the comfort is what I was after at the time. BA is 36oz. so that's why I choose the neoair.

http://www.rei.com/product/830684/therm-a-rest-neoair-all-season-sleeping-pad

[Miles]

Looks like a great pad.  How do you like it?  Thoughts on durability?



The BA pad I use is only 24 ounces (20" x 72"), but it does have a slightly lower r value than yours.

[Fester]

Looks like a great pad.  How do you like it?  Thoughts on durability?



The BA pad I use is only 24 ounces (20" x 72"), but it does have a slightly lower r value than yours.

So far I really like it. No leaks. I'm a large guy 6'3" 240lbs and my hips don't touch the ground. I was actually shocked. Rolls up small. The stuff sack doubles as a inflation device. But I've found just blowing it up by breath takes just about as long. I'm not sure about the durability yet. Only have one season usage. From other reviewers they have said just make sure you use Tyvek or similar on the bare ground to keep it from getting punctured. So we'll have to see about longevity.
I also think it's real important to get that good night sleep for the next days activities to keep you awake when it counts.
Therm-A-Rest NeoAir All-Season Mattress (coming July 2011)

[jetboatinghunter]

Thanks for all of the good information!  We draw a couple of tags for idaho unit 18 this year, so whatever we get is going to get a work out!

[whackmaster]

Ridge Rest SOLite thermarest 9oz 20x48 do you need a pad for your legs ?

[asl20bball]

Regarding the tent...I have a Big Agnes UL2. I love it. It is really light. It is a 2 person but really one. With the design there is room to store gear outside of the tent but under the fly so that's cool too. The ropes have a reflective material for easily finding your tent in the dark Good product IMO. Condensation...minor and it tends to be down toward the zipper probably b/c of the rain fly that extends a few feeet beyond the tent infront of hte main enterance to the tent (same spot to store gear under cover but out of the tent). Overal I'd recommend the product given thethe light weight design yet space of a tent vs bivy.

[Sliverslinger]

where I go it's usually really nasty weather...so I use a combo system. I have 4 essentials that I use (after years of researching via "hard knox"...) which is a good down bag, and a Big Agnes air pad (they make them with a filler now that helps insulate the air so they are very warm...I have the 2" long pad) both tucked into a bivy bag and all in a small tent...the idea of the bivy bag keeps me on my pad at night and also keeps my sleeping system clean and warm. I can crawl inside my tent soaking wet and muddy boots still on. Take everything off (putting my boots outside under my vestibule/rain fly) and my clothes hanging inside the tent...if they drip on me, oh well...as I am comfy and dry inside my bivy bag, in the down bag always on my pad...since I put the pad inside my bivy sack it can't slide out from under me.

So to answer your qestion...you will love Big Agnes products (tent I got is an off brand...so far so good, but when it goes bad I will by a Big Agnes). Remember the saying..."buy cheap, buy twice."

G-C-R

 

I also have the big agnes sleepingpad and I absolutely love it. I will say that this year I will also bring the bivy bag even though I have a tent (NF Rock 32) for the very reasons you listed. I used to take just eith the waterproof bivy or a tent but not from here on out.n

[windygorge]

$7 Wally World foam pad. Warmer than the others, can sit on it on a rock or log around the fire... would make a fine splint if necessary, no chance of deflating unexpectedly with a new leak, you can mount it on the outside of your pack and brushwhack without worry about puncturing it.

No muss, no fuss, cheap.

Save the $80 bucks, you are going to need the cash to pay your taxes this January.

im with you iceman.  im not in the mountains 24/7, so things that are simple and cheap...im in  

[Smokey Bear]

I just bought a BA insulated aircore and love it.  Just finished a boy scout 50 miler and my back wasn't sore once in 5 nights, it usually is sore by night 2.  My bag is a North Face Cats Meow long 20 degree version.  My tent is a Kelty Gunnison 2.1.  Supposed to be a two person but only if the other person is my wife.  It has a full rainfly with dual vestibules and is very solid.  This stuff isn't the lightest, but for the money it has served me ecxtremely well in some nasty conditions.  I am 6'3 so a little extra weight to have my bag and tent fit is well worth it. 

[actionshooter]

I picked up another Exped tonight, the downmat 9 dlux, gettin ready for the snow.   

[Benny]

I picked up another Exped tonight, the downmat 9 dlux, gettin ready for the snow.   

You've been spending too much money

[kentrek]

cabelas bivy,zlight pad,and north face 0 deg bag...........switchn to klymit inertia x-lite

[jetboatinghunter]

I have looked at the klymit inertia x-lite.  You will have to let me know how youlike it.  Looks pretty dang cool!