Recommend a sleeping pad that is comfortable, warm, and packable

cdogg44 · 11-05-2012, 02:32 PM

I'm looking for a good sleeping pad that is comfortable, warm, and packable (in that order).

Nobody local to me carries Thermarest pads, but I ran across some in Cabelas this weekend. I am 6' 2" and prefer plenty of room to sleep. I am looking for one to take hunting and car camping first, but with the ability to pack down small enough to throw on the bike should I ever need to. I am NOT a 1" pad type of guy, I like the 2.5"-3" pads and am willing to sacrifice the size and weight since I'm not a backpacker. I was very surprised to find the NeoAir XLite more comfortable than the Basecamp XL, and it packs down to 1/10th the size, but am concerned about the NeoAire durability over the long term.

I've been using the $15 Wal Mart inflatable twin mattresses for years, and while they can be comfy, they are HUGE, heavy, and only last 1-2 seasons. I'm looking to go with an insulated pad after freezing to death on the last trip on a Wal Mart mattress. It was my first trip with a new GoLite down sleeping bag (minimal insulation underneath compared to my old monster 1980's synthetic bag) and I was cold on the bottom all night long.

Money matters, but not if it's going to work perfect for my needs and last 10 years.

Thanks

Twilight Error · 11-05-2012, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdogg44

I'm looking for a good sleeping pad that is comfortable, warm, and packable (in that order).

Nobody local to me carries Thermarest pads, but I ran across some in Cabelas this weekend. I am 6' 2" and prefer plenty of room to sleep. I am looking for one to take hunting and car camping first, but with the ability to pack down small enough to throw on the bike should I ever need to. I am NOT a 1" pad type of guy, I like the 2.5"-3" pads and am willing to sacrifice the size and weight since I'm not a backpacker. I was very surprised to find the NeoAir XLite more comfortable than the Basecamp XL, and it packs down to 1/10th the size, but am concerned about the NeoAire durability over the long term.

I've been using the $15 Wal Mart inflatable twin mattresses for years, and while they can be comfy, they are HUGE, heavy, and only last 1-2 seasons. I'm looking to go with an insulated pad after freezing to death on the last trip on a Wal Mart mattress. It was my first trip with a new GoLite down sleeping bag (minimal insulation underneath compared to my old monster 1980's synthetic bag) and I was cold on the bottom all night long.

Money matters, but not if it's going to work perfect for my needs and last 10 years.

Thanks

I use two pads - a Ridge Rest closed cell pad and a Thermarest inflating pad. The Ridge Rest is immune to punctures, hot stoves, hot exhaust, crampon points, ice axes, briars, sharp sticks and near anything else you can throw it at. This pad goes on the bottom. On top goes my Thermarest - its somewhat more fragile, but is also nicer to sleep on.
I use this combo for all my camping trips - I roll the Thermarest first, and then roll that in the Ridge Rest. The bundle fits fine on the GSs pillion and makes a good backrest.

SkidmarkSteve · 11-05-2012, 02:48 PM

Check this link. I own the Synmat 7 and it is all the three things you mentioned. If I had it to do over again, I would opt for the Downmat 7 since I do more moto camping than backpacking these days.

Also see Nemo Equipment, who also makes really nice gear.

http://www.rei.com/search?query=Exped+mattresses

Dan Alexander · 11-05-2012, 03:26 PM

I've gone through a lot of pads and combo's of pads and cots and my Downmat 9 half inflated is the best so far.

yokesman · 11-05-2012, 03:32 PM

big agnes has an insulated air matteress rolls to a bit bigger then a thermos,can get it in several widths and lengths,thicknesses.

TwoShots · 11-05-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkidmarkSteve

Check this link. I own the Synmat 7 and it is all the three things you mentioned.

What he said.

Avoid Thermarest's neo air. It's noisy. Literally.

JR356 · 11-05-2012, 04:37 PM

As already mentioned,either Exped or Big Agnes inflatable insulated pads.
I have both,with slight preference for the Exped.

JR356

squiffynimrod · 11-05-2012, 06:00 PM

Exped downmat. Picked mine up off the Flea Market, it's great. Comfy and warm. Highly recommended.

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_na.nsf/

absoluteclint · 11-05-2012, 06:04 PM

I have a Big Agnes and have been really happy with it... Taken on numerous backpacking trips (no motorcycle trips yet). I've had the Big Agnes for about two years now... No leaks... Very tough construction.

I'd say the perfect setup would be (as already mentioned) a Ridge Rest style pad for the bottom and Big Agnes for the top. Having the Ridge Rest makes for a good camp seat and backup pad should the Big Agnes get punctured.

Big Agnes' biggest advantage is size... packs to the size of a Nalgene bottle (32 ounces). It is also really comfortable although it can be noisy and somewhat difficult to stay positioned on it throughout the night (slick). It's biggest downside is risk for punctures... although this has yet to be a problem for me.

Boatman · 11-05-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by absoluteclint

Big Agnes' biggest advantage is size... packs to the size of a Nalgene bottle (32 ounces). It is also really comfortable although it can be noisy and somewhat difficult to stay positioned on it throughout the night (slick). It's biggest downside is risk for punctures... although this has yet to be a problem for me.

I've had a BA for going on 6 years now. It's been used on dirt, gravel, picnic tables and just about every other place. I'm surprised it hasn't leaked yet. Yes it is noisy. I used to have trouble with it staying under me until I realised I was inflating it too much. Since then it's not been a problem.

Gezerbike · 11-05-2012, 06:23 PM

Exped Synmat 9....can't beat it.

absoluteclint · 11-05-2012, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boatman

I used to have trouble with it staying under me until I realised I was inflating it too much. Since then it's not been a problem.

You are correct. I should have mentioned that I too learned early on to not inflate it to it's max... I usually only fill it about halfway... Maybe about 20-25 breaths when inflating. It really is a good sleeping pad.

TheMuffinMan · 11-05-2012, 06:45 PM

I have the REI Camp Bed 2.5 XL. It's kinda big but I tend to roll in my sleep and the regular width pads I would roll off of at night.

It packs kind of big but always gives me a good nights sleep. I've had people laugh at the size on the bike but shrug. On a 4 week trip with a about 15-20 days of camping in there it held up fine and was comfortable not to mention a good night's sleep makes it easier to deal with whatever comes up during the day.

On the bike (the wide thing on the back).

You can kind of see it in the tent under the sleeping bag.

V-Tom · 11-05-2012, 06:58 PM

I use theExped Symat 9 (the model used to be called "deluxe" and is more than big enough for big guys like us. (I'm 6'2" and around 240 to 250 lbs.) I sleep on my sides and this mattresses perfect for doing so.

I use a Wiggy set of rectangular bags that zip together to give different temperature ranges. Super comfy and very warm.

..Tom

itsatdm · 11-05-2012, 07:13 PM

I have the insulated BA. Packs small for bike camping. Mine did leak after about 4 years. Called BA up and they sent me a new one at no cost.

Can't beat that.

11-05-2012, 02:32 PM	#1
cdogg44 ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2010 Location: 50 Miles From Oark Oddometer: 207	Recommend a sleeping pad that is comfortable, warm, and packable I'm looking for a good sleeping pad that is comfortable, warm, and packable (in that order). Nobody local to me carries Thermarest pads, but I ran across some in Cabelas this weekend. I am 6' 2" and prefer plenty of room to sleep. I am looking for one to take hunting and car camping first, but with the ability to pack down small enough to throw on the bike should I ever need to. I am NOT a 1" pad type of guy, I like the 2.5"-3" pads and am willing to sacrifice the size and weight since I'm not a backpacker. I was very surprised to find the NeoAir XLite more comfortable than the Basecamp XL, and it packs down to 1/10th the size, but am concerned about the NeoAire durability over the long term. I've been using the $15 Wal Mart inflatable twin mattresses for years, and while they can be comfy, they are HUGE, heavy, and only last 1-2 seasons. I'm looking to go with an insulated pad after freezing to death on the last trip on a Wal Mart mattress. It was my first trip with a new GoLite down sleeping bag (minimal insulation underneath compared to my old monster 1980's synthetic bag) and I was cold on the bottom all night long. Money matters, but not if it's going to work perfect for my needs and last 10 years. Thanks

11-05-2012, 02:48 PM	#3
SkidmarkSteve Far From Heaven Joined: Jul 2012 Location: Missouri Oddometer: 28	Exped equipment Check this link. I own the Synmat 7 and it is all the three things you mentioned. If I had it to do over again, I would opt for the Downmat 7 since I do more moto camping than backpacking these days. Also see Nemo Equipment, who also makes really nice gear. http://www.rei.com/search?query=Exped+mattresses __________________ Forever a novice, never a master. 1972 Suzuki GT380 (gone but not forgotten) 2011 Massey Ferguson NightRod Special (gone....forgotten) 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere

11-05-2012, 03:26 PM	#4
Dan Alexander Ride Far - Ride Fast Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Ottawa and Montreal Oddometer: 4,783	I've gone through a lot of pads and combo's of pads and cots and my Downmat 9 half inflated is the best so far. __________________ Beemers Past and Present: 74 R90S, 77 R100RS, 85 K100RS, 2x 87 K100RS, 96 R1100GS, 99 R1100S, 2002 R1150GS, 2005 F650 Dakar Plus the occasional Triumph, BSA, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and KTM but who's counting

11-05-2012, 06:00 PM	#8
squiffynimrod maximum shrinkage Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Flatskatchewan Oddometer: 713	Exped downmat. Picked mine up off the Flea Market, it's great. Comfy and warm. Highly recommended. http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_na.nsf/ __________________ Happily consuming fermented beverages since 1974. "We are of two groups: 1, beer drinking, mechanically inclined, semi-normal airhead riders, and 2. the others."- Mista Vern

11-05-2012, 06:23 PM	#11
Gezerbike Hey Rocky........... Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Frostbite Falls, Il Oddometer: 3,016	Exped Synmat 9....can't beat it. __________________ ___________________________________________ Mike 1998 R 1100 GS 2007 K 1200 GT

11-05-2012, 03:32 PM	#5
yokesman Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2008 Oddometer: 196	big agnes has an insulated air matteress rolls to a bit bigger then a thermos,can get it in several widths and lengths,thicknesses.

11-05-2012, 04:37 PM	#7
JR356 Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2005 Location: Way out West Oddometer: 3,173	As already mentioned,either Exped or Big Agnes inflatable insulated pads. I have both,with slight preference for the Exped. JR356

11-05-2012, 06:04 PM	#9
absoluteclint Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2012 Location: North Carolina foothills Oddometer: 143	I have a Big Agnes and have been really happy with it... Taken on numerous backpacking trips (no motorcycle trips yet). I've had the Big Agnes for about two years now... No leaks... Very tough construction. I'd say the perfect setup would be (as already mentioned) a Ridge Rest style pad for the bottom and Big Agnes for the top. Having the Ridge Rest makes for a good camp seat and backup pad should the Big Agnes get punctured. Big Agnes' biggest advantage is size... packs to the size of a Nalgene bottle (32 ounces). It is also really comfortable although it can be noisy and somewhat difficult to stay positioned on it throughout the night (slick). It's biggest downside is risk for punctures... although this has yet to be a problem for me.

11-05-2012, 06:45 PM	#13
TheMuffinMan Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Denver, USA Oddometer: 3,720	I have the REI Camp Bed 2.5 XL. It's kinda big but I tend to roll in my sleep and the regular width pads I would roll off of at night. It packs kind of big but always gives me a good nights sleep. I've had people laugh at the size on the bike but shrug. On a 4 week trip with a about 15-20 days of camping in there it held up fine and was comfortable not to mention a good night's sleep makes it easier to deal with whatever comes up during the day. On the bike (the wide thing on the back). You can kind of see it in the tent under the sleeping bag. __________________ "Civilize the mind, but make savage the body." To the house of a friend the way is never long. "Show respect to all, but grovel to none." '12 690 Enduro // 690 Wiki

11-05-2012, 06:58 PM	#14
V-Tom Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2006 Location: near Newmarket, Ontario, Canada Oddometer: 643	I use theExped Symat 9 (the model used to be called "deluxe" and is more than big enough for big guys like us. (I'm 6'2" and around 240 to 250 lbs.) I sleep on my sides and this mattresses perfect for doing so. I use a Wiggy set of rectangular bags that zip together to give different temperature ranges. Super comfy and very warm. ..Tom __________________ 2006 DL650 V-Strom * 202,000 km 125,500 miles 2012 DL650 50,000km If you really give a damn about safety read the following links: Why Cars don't see bikes (SMIDSY) SMIDSY detailed report

11-05-2012, 07:13 PM	#15
itsatdm NoMoTDM still Gary Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Columbia, Ca. Oddometer: 3,710	I have the insulated BA. Packs small for bike camping. Mine did leak after about 4 years. Called BA up and they sent me a new one at no cost. Can't beat that. __________________ BMW Motorrad USA customer service: "We make superior motorcycles and continue to improve them."

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode