Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#89187 - 02/06/08 03:20 PM What is best ultralight sleeping pad?
Ecrow Offline
member

Registered: 02/02/08
Posts: 85
Loc: N. New Mexico
No results from search,
What is the most comfortable, most popular 3/4 length sleeping pad that you guys use? Z-rest? Ridge Rest? Pac-lite? GG Nightlite? My blue walmart 3/4 is 8 oz. and half an inch thick, but it is too hard with no cush. My wife says I'm developing a "flat bottom". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I really value all of the nice info, this is the BEST forum!

Ecrow
_________________________
Ecrow
Live to tell.

Top
#89188 - 02/06/08 03:53 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
Ulhiker Offline
member

Registered: 12/25/07
Posts: 65
Loc: Arkansas
Ecrow:
What weight are you looking to stay under? I have a Thermarest 3/4 length Ultralight pad that weighs 18 oz. I just got it, so I haven't had a chance to try it out, but I downsized from a full-length Thermarest Prolite 4, that weighs around 26 oz.

Top
#89189 - 02/06/08 06:04 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
Brumfield Offline
member

Registered: 12/23/07
Posts: 255
Loc: Expat from New Orleans, now in...
Ecrow, go with a Therm-a-Rest. I have used their products for more than two decades and am very pleased with the quality, compactness, weight, and comfort. I have one that is 21 years old and it just recently went flat for the first time when I stuck a cactus spine in it.

I personally prefer a full length mattress, the few ounces in weight savings of a 3/4 does not win out against having a continuous smooth service under my calves and feet with the full length... all night long. Pick a Therm-a-rest mat that fits your budget and body size and know you made a good choice. Brum
_________________________



Top
#89190 - 02/06/08 10:23 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
mugs Offline
member

Registered: 12/24/05
Posts: 500
Loc: Kent, WA.
I had to switch over to a air pad this season as well, because of my old bones. I did abotu 6 months of research and thought and finally decided on the Montbell UL 90 It only weighs 10oz and fits my just fine. I am 6.1. I went with it over the BPL one just because I am a squirmer and side sleeper and needed the extra width to go in conjuntion with that. Plus it weighed the same.

Top
#89191 - 02/06/08 10:27 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ulhiker]
300winmag Offline
member

Registered: 02/28/06
Posts: 1342
Loc: Nevada, USA
Ozark,

You could use a closed cell sit pad & toggle attatch it (see the thread on this) to the 3/4 length Thermarest at night for full length comfort. No?
See the thread "attatching pillow to pad" and in particular the link in Trailrunner's reply. That toggle system is absolutely BRILLIANT! Hee,hee

The toggles (purchased at a fabric store) tethered with tent cord are sewn to your 3/4 length lightweight Thermarest corners.Then holes melted thru duct tape-reinforced corners of the closed cell foam recieve the toggles. This sitpad setup meets the UL backpackers goal of "multiple use".

Eric

P.S I carry a full length UL Thermarest in summer B/C I love it and feel the extra few ounces are my ONE concession to luxury. But for winter I've just converted my regular 3/4 length Thermarest to a "toggle & sitpad" system on top and a full length RidgeRest on bottom.


Edited by 300winmag (02/06/08 10:34 PM)
_________________________
"There are no comfortable backpacks. Some are just less uncomfortable than others."

Top
#89192 - 02/06/08 10:30 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
<religious taunting>
A hammock...
</religious taunting>

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

In the winter I'm now packing a Big Agnes Insulated AirCore. FWIW I'll take it over
a thermarest any day.
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#89193 - 02/06/08 10:34 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: phat]
Ecrow Offline
member

Registered: 02/02/08
Posts: 85
Loc: N. New Mexico
Ok, I'll bite. Let's say I try a hammock. Don't I still need some sort of mat on the underside?

Ecrow
_________________________
Ecrow
Live to tell.

Top
#89194 - 02/06/08 10:36 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: 300winmag]
Ecrow Offline
member

Registered: 02/02/08
Posts: 85
Loc: N. New Mexico
I was interested in ULTRA light. For summer.

Ecrow
_________________________
Ecrow
Live to tell.

Top
#89195 - 02/07/08 08:06 AM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
Dondo Offline
member

Registered: 05/06/02
Posts: 594
Loc: Colorado Rockies
Just curious, Ecrow. Are you are back or side sleeper? It will make a difference in what pad will work for you. It would also to be good to know what weight range you are considering.

Top
#89196 - 02/07/08 09:24 AM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
BarryP Offline
member

Registered: 03/04/04
Posts: 1574
Loc: Eastern Idaho
For UL trips (for long miles), I take vitamin T p.m. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />Wow. I wake up refreshed after that <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />. Anyway, here’s my pad. Fyi, I’m 44, 5’8” 150lbs.

I go with the GG Torso pad (3.7oz, bumps down) with an 1.5”x30”x15” egg crate open cell pad (5.5oz, bumps up) on top. I then have my backpack under my legs. There’s a peace of mind not worrying about leakage. And you don’t lose air pressure during a cool night. This is comfy on my back and stomach. I may sleep on my side, but not for long.

If I’m doing short miles, then I take the Woman’s ProLite 4 (24oz). That is the most comfy backpacking pad I’ve been on. My whole family is unique in that we tried BA and similar air mattresses several times and found them to be too hard (even w/ half the air let out!). Plus we never looked forward to blowing them up after a hard day.

In the end, don’t trust any of us. You have to try your pad of choice for a few days to draw your own conclusion.

May everyone find their sleeping zen <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-Barry

Top
#89197 - 02/07/08 10:28 AM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Quote:
No results from search,
What is the most comfortable, most popular 3/4 length sleeping pad that you guys use? Z-rest? Ridge Rest? Pac-lite? GG Nightlite? My blue walmart 3/4 is 8 oz. and half an inch thick, but it is too hard with no cush. My wife says I'm developing a "flat bottom". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I really value all of the nice info, this is the BEST forum!

Ecrow


Ecrow jump into the Beginners Forum to read the answers to your posts. You seem to be wanting to update your gear closet IMO. These are posts that have been hashed to death here. Most newbies ask all the same, so see the answers there <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

Top
#89198 - 02/07/08 12:34 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
jaiden Offline
member

Registered: 02/15/07
Posts: 123
Quote:
Ok, I'll bite. Let's say I try a hammock. Don't I still need some sort of mat on the underside?

Ecrow


everything you'd ever want to know about hammocks:
http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCamping.html

or www.hammockforums.net

Top
#89199 - 02/07/08 01:16 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
Ender Offline
member

Registered: 01/17/02
Posts: 779
Loc: ME
Quote:
Ok, I'll bite. Let's say I try a hammock. Don't I still need some sort of mat on the underside?

Ecrow


The short answer... yes.

The long answer... usually, yes. (or an underquilt). <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Unless it's very hot at night, hammocks can get chilly. On those hot nights though it's wonderfully comfortable to be in a hammock. On the cold nights it's wonderfully comfortable to be in a hammock, but they do require some sort of insulation underneath to keep you warm, be it a pad or an underquilt.

As far as pads go for sleeping on the ground... I've used a Ridgerest for years, and while it's not super comfortable, it's not terrible either. I also have a Thermarest UL 3/4, which weighs about the same as a full length Ridgerest, and it's more comfortable, but my feet can get cold at night some times.

Top
#89200 - 02/07/08 02:37 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
The best pad is the one that gives you a good night's sleep! If you have to carry more weight to accomplish this, so be it. Are you out there to suffer or to enjoy yourself? I use a 3/4 length Pacific Outdoor InsulMat Max Thermo, which is an insulated air mattress. 17 oz. It's perfect for my old bones! It has been discontinued, but Pacific Outdoor has a very similar model. Your Mileage May Vary!

On the search, everyone new to this forum has trouble with it. Check the date parameter. The default is one week.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#89201 - 02/07/08 02:47 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: OregonMouse]
Keith Offline
member

Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 1667
Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
>"On the search, everyone new to this forum has trouble with it. Check the date parameter. The default is one week."

Note to Moderators . . .

Could there be a more clear explanation &/or example to introduce the search function? This is a frequent comment and I wonder if we might proactively address this rather than having new users frustrated and then the situation explained by "old hands". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
Human Resources Memo: Floggings will continue until morale improves.

Top
#89202 - 02/07/08 03:21 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? Big What [Re: phat]
Brumfield Offline
member

Registered: 12/23/07
Posts: 255
Loc: Expat from New Orleans, now in...
Quote:


In the winter I'm now packing a Big Agnes Insulated AirCore. FWIW I'll take it over
a thermarest any day.


But WE Therm-a-Rest users don't NEED a pad called "BIG" anything! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Brum
_________________________



Top
#89203 - 02/07/08 04:01 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: OregonMouse]
Ender Offline
member

Registered: 01/17/02
Posts: 779
Loc: ME
Quote:
The best pad is the one that gives you a good night's sleep! If you have to carry more weight to accomplish this, so be it..


These are very wise words! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Top
#89204 - 02/07/08 05:17 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? Big What [Re: Brumfield]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Brum, Big Agnes is a prominent mountain northeast of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where the company is located. I grew up taking horsepacking trips in that area--6 weeks every summer (that was in the 1950's). I'm going back there for a backpacking trip (on foot) this summer. My mother once did some research on some of the place names there, but she had no luck with Big Agnes, who seems doomed to remain anonymous.

According to Summit Post:
Quote:

Who The Heck Was Big Agnes?

I have no idea.

Raymond Ave, the author of a Mount Zirkel Wilderness guidebook and website responded to my email inquiry:

According to the Historic Guide to Routt County, Big Agnes Mountain was named by Robert McIntosh who prospected the area for gold in 1875. It didn’t really say who Agnes was. That’s all I know. I also know that the Historic Guide to Routt County said that Mt. Zirkel was named for an trapper who lived near the mountain, but in fact it was named for Ferdinand Zirkel who (according to documents from the US Geologic Survey) conducted petrographic analysis on some rock samples collected on a geologic exploration in the area in the late 1800’s – so I always take whatever I read in the Historic Guide to Routt County with a grain of salt.

A similar question to Routt National Forest Service office came up empty-handed. Web search hits turn up the name of a sleeping bag manufacturer in Steamboat Springs. So whoever Agnes was, in exactly what manner she was big, and why Robert McIntosh named a mountain after her remains a mystery.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#89205 - 02/08/08 03:20 PM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: Ecrow]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Yes, but usually like a ccf foam pad for insulation, not for comfort.

You'll note I do say, I sleep on a nice comfy pad (or three) in the winter. I don't hammock.

If you're interested, try out a test hammock first. read through

This earlier post from this forum. and some of the links it takes you to.
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#89206 - 02/13/08 10:59 AM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? Big What [Re: OregonMouse]
Brumfield Offline
member

Registered: 12/23/07
Posts: 255
Loc: Expat from New Orleans, now in...
[quote]Brum, Big Agnes is a prominent mountain northeast of Steamboat Springs, Colorado,
[quote]

Ok, I'm familiar with Big Agnes gear, some how I got it confused with a Big Haggis. Wouldn't want to sleep with one of those! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Brum
_________________________



Top
#89207 - 02/13/08 11:10 AM Re: What is best ultralight sleeping pad? [Re: OregonMouse]
Brumfield Offline
member

Registered: 12/23/07
Posts: 255
Loc: Expat from New Orleans, now in...
OregonMouse wrote:
Quote:
I use a 3/4 length Pacific Outdoor InsulMat Max Thermo, which is an insulated air mattress. It has been discontinued...


Brumfield Wrote; OregonMouse, I heard they stopped making it because of a cost prohibitive factor relative to the amount of ink it took to write out "Pacific Outdoor InsulMat Max Thermo" on all the promo material. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Brum
_________________________



Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 199 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum