Sleeping Pads

[CaNINE]

I'm thinking of picking up a new inflatable lightweight sleeping pad that will stow easily inside my pack to replace my older thermarest.  I've been looking at the thermarest xtherm, exped synmat hyperlite and BA qcore sl.  Any of you using these and how do they sleep?  Thanks in advance for the thoughts.

[fillthefreezer]

i used to run the qcore sl for a few years, and am running the winterlite now, i believe there isnt much difference except r value with the hyperlite and it is a much more comfortable pad. the old xtherm was too noisy for my taste.

[Magnum_Willys]

Run EXP Downmat 7, sleeps nice.  No builtin pump - too heavy.  I Just run bagpump (schnozzle )
Inflatable with baffles and down inside.

[Stein]

I have the BA insulated Qcore and love it.  The only downside is that you nearly pass out inflating it, although I would guess this is a problem for all pads that are thick.

[Magnum_Willys]

I have the BA insulated Qcore and love it.  The only downside is that you nearly pass out inflating it, although I would guess this is a problem for all pads that are thick.

Maybe try the schnozzle bag if it will adapt.  Just a few squeezes on the bag and its full and weighs nothing - makes a good storage bag.

http://www.amazon.com/Exped-Schnozzel-PumpBag/dp/B00BSY690M 

[Duckslayer89]

Thermarest trail-pro large. Easy to inflate, lighteweight and you stay on the thing. Sportco like 60 bucks. They are out of Seattle as well...

[xXLojackXx]

Exped Synmat Winterlite.

[westernarcher]

I have the BA insulated Qcore and love it.  The only downside is that you nearly pass out inflating it, although I would guess this is a problem for all pads that are thick.

This is one downside. I found that I have to let some of the air out. Otherwise its to hard in the hips and shoulders areas. I'm actually thinking of going back to self inflaters 

[Wanttohuntmore]

Been using the neoair xtherm and love it.  I don't move much at night so haven't experienced sliding off or the noisyness of it.  Trying to fing a comparable rest to it for size/weight/r-value at a lower price right now, so I'm interested as well at some of the responses.

[TomT]

I also use the neoair xtherm.  I'm 6'4" so had to get the long version, but it fits me well.  It is pretty spendy for what it is, but it packs down very small and weighs almost nothing.  It is also kept me warm in snowy conditions.  I agree it's a little noisy, but it's positives outweigh that for me.   Have only owned it for one season, so we'll see how durable it is, but so far so good.

[CaNINE]

guys - thanks for all of the input.  I've been doing more research on your suggestions.  Also this month's Elk Hunter Magazine has a review on sleeping pads that includes several of the ones we're discussing here.  There was some good info in that review.  For me, I'm narrowing it down to the Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm Large or the Exped Synmat Winterlite Large.  I'll be doing a backpack elk hunt in the Wenaha this fall and will benefit from the extra insulation properties that these mats offer.  Now it's off to REI to do a side by side comparison and fit check.

[coldsteel3d]

Let us know what you decide on cause I am looking for a new pad myself. I used to use the exped downmat 9 but it was way too heavy and took up as much room as my sleeping bag. I spent almost a month sleeping on it in the Jarbidge wilderness in Nevada chasing elk and had some of the best night sleep I have ever had in the woods but I really want something that takes up a little less room and half the weight. I was looking at the neoair when I bought the downmat but it looks like there are way more options available now.

[LBES]

I have the BA Qcore SL insulated... I really like it. very comfortable. The material is a little slippery, which can be a plus and minus. Plus - easy to move around in a mummy bag. Minus, kind of easy to slide off. For backpack hunting it's fantastic!

[CaNINE]

I did more research and talked to some die-hard backpacking aficionado buddies who have used several types of pads and all are now using the therm-a-rest neoair xtherm.  So I went with it in the size L.  I also found it on sale at Moosejaw for 20% off and free shipping.  Hard to beat that deal.  Arrived in the mail today so I'll give you all a report after I've put some zzzz's to it.  CaNINE :o3 

[dscubame]

I did more research and talked to some die-hard backpacking aficionado buddies who have used several types of pads and all are now using the therm-a-rest neoair xtherm.  So I went with it in the size L.  I also found it on sale at Moosejaw for 20% off and free shipping.  Hard to beat that deal.  Arrived in the mail today so I'll give you all a report after I've put some zzzz's to it.  CaNINE :o3

I also give it a thumbs up.  R value, thickness, and so light weight.  Used it 20 plus days last year and minor noise is only complaint but not enough to want to look anywhere else.