Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Backcountry Hunting => Topic started by: CaNINE on August 14, 2015, 09:31:13 AM

Title: Sleeping Pads
Post by: CaNINE on August 14, 2015, 09:31:13 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: fillthefreezer on August 14, 2015, 09:37:01 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 14, 2015, 09:41:55 AM: Run EXP Downmat 7, sleeps nice. No builtin pump - too heavy. I Just run bagpump (schnozzle )
Inflatable with baffles and down inside.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: Stein on August 14, 2015, 10:35:17 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: Magnum_Willys on August 14, 2015, 11:11:08 AM: Quote from: Stein on August 14, 2015, 10:35:17 AM
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 (http://www.amazon.com/Exped-Schnozzel-PumpBag/dp/B00BSY690M)
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: Duckslayer89 on August 14, 2015, 11:52:47 AM: 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...
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: xXLojackXx on August 14, 2015, 06:48:15 PM: Exped Synmat Winterlite.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: westernarcher on August 14, 2015, 08:20:22 PM: Quote from: Stein on August 14, 2015, 10:35:17 AM
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
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on August 15, 2015, 07:53:25 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: TomT on August 15, 2015, 08:30:09 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: CaNINE on August 15, 2015, 11:27:02 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: coldsteel3d on August 16, 2015, 11:39:03 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: LBES on August 16, 2015, 04:59:35 PM: 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!
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: CaNINE on August 29, 2015, 11:53:52 AM: 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
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: dscubame on August 29, 2015, 12:01:22 PM: Quote from: CaNINE on August 29, 2015, 11:53:52 AM
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.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: JustinC on August 30, 2015, 09:06:58 AM: Quote from: CaNINE on August 29, 2015, 11:53:52 AM
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

Good choice. You won't be disappointed.

Which hunt did you get drawn for? My brother and I have Tucannon archery tags. Fires are screwing everything up over there this year.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: CaNINE on November 18, 2015, 08:29:27 AM: Circling back to this post to let you know what I think of the Thermarest Neoair Xtherm after having about 12 nights on it this fall.

*Very comfortable pad. The user needs to play with the inflation level to find the right comfort. For me, the most comfortable inflation level is about 1/3 full. The pad still provides sufficient cushioning at this level. The pad looks very deflated at this level but when I lay on it - very comfortable. This also happens to save time inflating and deflating.

*Warm as advertised. The coldest night was about 25 degree F and I was using a 0 degree F rated bag. Needless to say I was plenty warm. The r-value is derived through heat reflective materials so under-inflating the pad doesn't impact it's warmth.

*Noise. Non-issue. This pad doesn't make the crinkle noise more common with the yellow lightweight version. Perhaps the materials and construction are different. There is some noise when you move around but not enough to complain about.

*Lightweight and compact. Stowed in the pack very nicely.

Once the snow piles up I plan to do some winter camping above Paradise so will put the warmth to the test.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: Tbob on November 19, 2015, 08:39:13 PM: Anyone ever use the ultralite cots? I have one and it's about the same size as my Thermarest rolled up tight.. I sleep so well and off the ground. When it's super craptacualar out, I put everything in my sleeping bag and put it on top of the cot. Just another safety factor of not getting wet from a leaky tent and knowing my clothes are dry while I'm out hunting or hiking.
Title: Re: Sleeping Pads
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 09, 2015, 02:46:08 PM: The first night on a Q-Core was like a (wet) dream. Okay not literally but it was crazy comfortable and still is, very good R Value :tup:

I slept on the ground for like 5 years of backpacking though so I might have been happy with a pool air mattress.