Backpacking sleeping pad??

[banishd]

I have the neoair xlite and the xtherm. For me it came down to weight/r value. The way I looked at it, it was a pretty cheap way to drop a pound or more in pack weight. I use a $15 down blanket from costco i sewed up into a top quilt to save more weight over bringing my 12 degree sleeping bag. Have been plenty comfortable and warm with that setup, plus it packs down small.

[fillthefreezer]

I didn't read the previous replies, but exped winterlite!!! I run the l/w. Their customer service is great, and in an inflatable pad, that matters..

[yakimanoob]

If you get a lighter pad but feel it doesn't have enough padding for you I've cut fir boughs and put them down as a base before. Actually I've used fir boughs for a pad before and they're a lot more comfy than they sound if you get the ends. I don't destroy a tree but take them off of several trees.

Old school fieldcraft there! Works well and isn't scarring on the landscape depending where it's done...

+1 for this IF you're in the appropriate spot.  Please don't do this near heavy-use areas like trails or known campsites, as there's enough human impact in those places already.  But if you're way off trail and tucked into the brush in a place that isn't likely to see another human for awhile, there's no reason (imho) to be shy about trimming some boughs to make a bed for yourself.  If done right, you'll hardly find a more lovely bed . 

FWIW, I haven't tried white pine, but William O Douglas said they're the best for a backcountry bed, and who am I to argue? 

[bracer40]

If you get a lighter pad but feel it doesn't have enough padding for you I've cut fir boughs and put them down as a base before. Actually I've used fir boughs for a pad before and they're a lot more comfy than they sound if you get the ends. I don't destroy a tree but take them off of several trees.

Old school fieldcraft there! Works well and isn't scarring on the landscape depending where it's done...

+1 for this IF you're in the appropriate spot.  Please don't do this near heavy-use areas like trails or known campsites, as there's enough human impact in those places already.  But if you're way off trail and tucked into the brush in a place that isn't likely to see another human for awhile, there's no reason (imho) to be shy about trimming some boughs to make a bed for yourself.  If done right, you'll hardly find a more lovely bed . 

FWIW, I haven't tried white pine, but William O Douglas said they're the best for a backcountry bed, and who am I to argue?

Possibly from one of my all time favorite books: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41rHS-r8o2L.jpg

[yakimanoob]

Yessir.

[shallowforks]

I run q-core slx wide long. Love it but big agnes released the q-core alx this year to compete weight wise with the x-lite. Dont have one yet but checked it out and its an awesome pad!

[crdmax]

Just picked up the therma rest neo xtherm....only had one night in it but it was comfy, light and packed down smaller than a Nalgene bottle!!! It was pricey but 5.7 R value, it will be worth it this fall/winter


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[trophyhunt]

I have a 200 or 300 dollar rei pad and a 5 dollar cheap accordion style pad, I mostly use the cheap pad because of its convenience.  I also pack it along on my hunts to sit on when in the field. Pads are over rated imho.

[milldozer]

I'll throw the REI flash pad out there..  Nothing fancy but an R=3.7 for $100 at 15 oz is pretty damn good.  Much quieter than other pads I've used too.

[yakimanoob]

Pads are over rated imho.

Yeah, I'm definitely on the other side of the fence on that topic.    

[fillthefreezer]

Pads are over rated imho.

Yeah, I'm definitely on the other side of the fence on that topic.   

Sorry Jerry, I'm with ☝🏻☝🏻☝🏻 This guy