Sleeping pad

I am in the market for a sleeping pad. Just curious as to what you guys suggest. I have 3 bulging discs in my neck so I am looking for the one that offers the most cusioning without being too heavy.

Anyone on here have a jacked neck that uses a sleeping pad??????

No on the neck, but I would suggest a light inflatable pad and maybe one of those little pillows they sell for flying. I have two pads, a Ridgerest and a Thermarest inflatable pad. I use both stacked in winter.

"Not too heavy" is one of those terms that makes it hard to advise you. What's not heavy for me may be a crushing burden for you, or vice versa. Assuming that a pound and a half or two pounds meets your definition, take a look at the Big Agnes Q Core or one of the larger Thermarest NeoAir pads (All-season, Trekker, or such.) They are wide enough to be comfortable, and thick enough that you have a wider range of softness to choose from. (In these pads, soft is a function of how much air - i.e., how thick - you put in it.

As far as the neck, I can't be of any help there, either. I usually use an MSR Dromlite, inflated with air or filled with water, to whatever thickness/softness appeals at that moment. The only other consideration I can think of would be to use a full-length mattress, so your feet and knees don't dangle off the end - I'm assuming that, if you're a side sleeper, that sort of thing could misalign your back which might affect your neck?

Have you ever considered a hammock? (I have no idea whether that would be possible with your condition, but I'll throw it into the mix as an attempt to "think outside the box.")

You've gotten good advice on a pad to try, but do remember the airline inflatable pillow trick, or alternatively, a platypus water bag as a pillow (I carry two water bags, and use one, blown up, and covered with a shirt, at night for a pillow).

I'd also suggest you try it at home - for a couple nights, before venturing into the bush with it. It'll take you a few tries to get used to how to sleep comfortably with anything.

I love my Big Agnus. Its the over-sized Insulated Aircore. Weighs in the 36 oz range I believe. Packs down to a 4 x 10" cylinder. I use the Exped inflatable pillow, which is virtually weightless. If I need to, I'll add my clothing stuff sack under it. I lay awake at night thinking about folks believing we are "roughing it"! Hardly! Im snug and comfy every night.

I too have one of those (insulated air core) and it's one of my goto pads for heavy winter trips - it does weigh two pounds, which for me is quite heavy. The thermarest types are lighter (neoair, etc.). however, no amount of weight is really
too much if it's what you *need* for decent sleep The trick is finding out about "need" versus want.. (I mean heck, if I took what I wanted into the bush I'd be on the Westin Heaven Bed every night).

I'll reiterate to try at home. Most newbies with insulated blow up type pads tend to blow them up really hard, thinking they get more "padding" from the ground that way. What really works for most people is to do that, then let *out* some air while on it till your butt or hips just touch the ground, then maybe give it a puff or two of air back in - that way you acually get some cush to the pad. Makes a huge difference even with the thinner pads like a thermarest pro-lite.

Buying (or renting) a pad and sleeping at home for a few nights can got a long way toward you figuring out both what you need, and all importantly, how to use it so you are actually reasonably comfortable, and aren't trying to figure out out how to sleep comfortably for the first time at night in a dark tent that you just set up. Rentals and liberal return policies can let you try out a few kinds before you buy too...

I love my Big Agnes Q core, you might also consider the big agnes giant memory foam pillow for your neck https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Accessory/SleepingGiantMemoryFoamPillow

I'd like to reiterate "squishy" for an insulated air pad--don't blow it up firm, or it will be harder than the bare ground!

Also a repetition of other advice here, definitely try the pad for a night or two on the floor when you first get it home, while you can still return it.

There are a number of pillow options on the market, some inflatable. The kind used for airline travel might help your neck, but I am no judge (my problems are lower back and arthritic hips). You probably want to try out a bunch before deciding.

If I get a new pad, it will probably be an Exped UL7 Downmat. I haven't tried one yet, though. Exped also has a synthetic insulated version, their UL7 Synmat, which isn't as warm (I am a cold sleeper). My two current pads (one of which I'm getting rid of because it slides all over the tent floor despite the copious application of seam sealer) are both discontinued, so no help for you.

There's a current thread on "Sleeping comfort" in the Lite Gear Talk section that may have more helpful information, although a lot of the info is duplicated (a lot of us tend to give the same answers to similar questions).

Thank you all for your replies. I think im gonna try the big agnes Q. I didnt even think about a pillow. Thats for sure going to be put in my pack.