The BEST and WORST Sleeping Pads of 2023
Вставка
- Опубліковано 18 кві 2023
- Check out Moosjaw: geni.us/7KjuWU
Use Code MLOMJ for 10% off most items Moosejaw sales. 5% off items already on sale. Some exclusions do apply.
Sleeping Pads from this video:
Klymit Insulated V: geni.us/xv9Bn
Ether Light XT Extreme: geni.us/bPSR
Ether Light XT Rectangular: geni.us/emorS
XTherm NXT: geni.us/wZZePd
Static V: geni.us/NPVWOO
Insulated Tensor: geni.us/YUKk
Xlite NXT: hgeni.us/wZZePd
Rapide SL: geni.us/bO48Qum
ZOOM UL: geni.us/pWpe6
Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Pad Ratings based on Price (P) Weight (W) Warmth (WA) and Comfort (C) scale 1-5 with 5 being the best.
Insulated V: P:5 W:2, WA:1 C:3 Total: 11
Ether Light Extreme: P:2 W:1 WA:5 C:4 Total:12
Xtherm NXT: P:1 W:4 WA:5 C: 3 Total: 13
Static V: P: 5 W:4.5 WA: 1 C: 3 Total: 13.5
Tensor: P: 3 W:4 WA:3.5 C:3.5 Total: 14
Xlite NXT: P:3 W: 5 WA:4 C:3 Total:15
Rapide: P:4 W:2 WA:4 C:5 Total: 15
ZOOM UL: P:2 W:5 WA:3.5 C:5 Total: 15.5
Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Check out my #TakeASeat Shirts at MyLifeOutdoors.com/Store
Contact me at: info@mylifeoutdoors.com
Subscribe to my Channel:
/ @mylifeoutdoors
Subscribe to my Blog:
mylifeoutdoors.com/subscribe
Connect on Social:
Facebook: / mylifeoutdoors
Twitter: / mylifeoutdoors
Instagram: / mylifeoutdoors
Camera Equipment I use:
Camera: www.amazon.com/Canon-Full-Fra...
Camera Lens: www.amazon.com/Canon-RF-15-35...
Audio Mic: www.amazon.com/Rode-VideoMicr...
Tripod: href="www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
ND Filter: www.amazon.com/PolarPro-Peter...
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no addition cost to you.
Sleeping Pads from this video:
Klymit Insulated V: geni.us/ONPs
Ether Light XT Extreme: geni.us/lIGGhB
Ether Light XT Rectangular: geni.us/uEA4zp
XTherm NXT: geni.us/a3Yx0
Static V: geni.us/pt8B
Insulated Tensor: geni.us/7zc0kJa
Xlite NXT: geni.us/950XEty
Rapide SL: geni.us/Qu8G5
ZOOM UL: geni.us/gprgMe
Not sure why "Noise" wasn't a category for the rating system. Even if a pad is warm and comfortable, it'll wake you or a partner up all night if it crinkles like half filled Mylar balloon.🙂
ya some of them have such a loud crinkle noise... my ex had one and woke up pissed off demanded to use my pad haha.
I don't think most have to worry about a small crinkle noise waking them up lmao
@@TWAAAAACKSBut its not a small noise, its large one !
I was on the AT at a hiking shelter blowing up my Big Agnes Q-Core, and another hiker said "I hope that's not a noisy one." I just looked at him, smiled, and said," Put some earplugs in. This is what I'm sleeping on."
@@TWAAAAACKS nah the crinkle noise of the Neo Air is a major deal breaker for many hikers. Thermarest finally took note and changed their design to be less noisy.
The range of pads, like so many camping kits, has expanded hugely over the years. I'm a 3 season camper and am still using the Thermarest that I bought in 1993. It cost £50 at the time which was expensive, but it's never let me down - ! 😊
OMG! That's good to hear, i bought the x-therm on a whim on black friday because I sleep cold and had a bad experience camping with a regular sleeping mattress in really cold weather. It was pricey and I like to hear when people say they last forever.
The old ones last forever. Who knows about the newer ones. I bought 2 used thermarest pads at a yard sale a decade ago that the guy said he'd bought a long time ago. Still going strong! I wonder, with so much emphasis on UL nowadays, if the new ones will last. I hope so!
I want something that doesn't let me down. I'm so frustrated at waking up on sad pads. It's the worst. My Neoair Xlite lasted about a year. I'd much prefer something a little heavier that just lasts and lasts.
@@syberphish As I've mentioned, probably best to choose Thermarest. My 30 yr. old mat is still doing well. 😊
@@simongee8928 That's the kind of gear I'm looking for, thanks for mentioning it.
I think I've had my Limelight 2p for 16 years now. It's nice to have stuff you can just rely on.
Great post my friend. I appreciate all the information you are sharing here. I plan to spring for the best pad rated here. I cherish my sleep time ! 😊
In the market for a new pad, thanks for the informative review. Love the bloopers at the end.
I had a valve leaking issue with the Klymit Insulated Static V sleeping pad. Replaced it with the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra and that pad has served me well so far.
As others have suggested, it's worth mentioning the materials the mats are made of and taking that into account, especially considering weight is used during scoring. For example, the EitherliteXT Extreme has a 30D Top/40D Bottom nylon construction whereas the Nemo Tensor has a 20D Polyester. This suggests, all other things even, that the S2S pad will be markedly more resistant to damage than the Nemo, while also heavier, both due to the more durable material used and the increased thickness of the material. I often see the Eitherlite pads being ragged on in video reviews (and sometimes S2S pads in general) but they nearly always completely ignore the thickness and strength of the materials used. I don't own a Eitherlite so I'm not just trying to justify a purchase or something lol.
I have an Etherlite XT "insulated". I'm male, 175cm / 85kg, or 5'9'' / 185lbs. I chose the women's large (WL) because I wanted the extra width and "insulation" but don't need the length of the men's large. I'm a side sleeper. For me it beat out the Thermarest options on comfort, noise, and cost. It's not silent, but the Xtherm pads are, for me, unbearably noisy.
The S2S is a very cold pad. The first time I used it was in 0C (32F). I wore a full merino base layer, Arcteryx Proton LT insulated jacket, 400g fill 800+ loft down quilt (One Planet Quest Pro -3C), S2S Thermolite liner, in a double-wall tent. I absolutely froze. Warm on top and frigid underneath. Barely slept. After that I took to doubling up with my summer quilt (S2S Traveller TR1) zipped into a tube between the liner and Quest. This was noticeably better, and I imagine a cocoon-style sleeping bag of 5-600g fill would be about the same. I survived a -8C (17F) night with this setup with the tent sheltered from the wind on a concrete floor, but it was chilly.
It slips all over the tent floor, so I double-sided taped about a dozen small squares of thin rubber drawer-liner matt to the bottom. This upped the noise slightly but completely solved the slipping problem.
However it is comfortable, even as a side sleeper, has an excellent valve system that makes it easy to inflate and easy to adjust the pressure even while tucked in to bed, and had zero punctures during 2 months non-stop use - your point about durability is a good one, and in my experience holds true. However I'd never use it without a ground mat.
I was keen to try a Tensor, but Nemo equipment was literally impossible to get in 2021/2022. I think my next pad will either be a Tensor or Big Agnes.
Apart from being resistant to leaks, StoS use a heavier fabric because it's required for the superior welding technology they are using. This means that baffle failures are pretty much unknown, in contrast to Thermorest and Exped pads which have let me down in the past.
Warm > Comfort everyday. I returned my etherlite xt extreme because of cold spots. It was very comfortable but sleeping cold is a no go for me. Bought the xtherm instead and it's kept me warm and therefore comfortable for the 2 winter seasons now
Thanks for making all these videos! Suggestion for all: future videos: would love to see the packed size of items, especially in comparison to each other, and perhaps against a 1L Nalgene for sizing reference.
Love you gear reviews! Always entertaining and informative…
The Nemo Tensor Insulated didn't keep me warm at temps around the freezing mark. I could feel cold spots every time I rolled over. I exchanged it for a Thermarest Neoair X-Therm and have no regrets. It's super warm, a decent weight, and perfectly comfortable (as long as it's not too inflated).
Great video. I upgraded feom the Etherlight to a Tensor and its better in every way. Less noisy, feels nicer on the skin, packs smaller, weighs less and warmer.
I just ordered the Zoom SL and can’t wait to try it out!
Upgrading my husband and I’s sleeping pads and imagine my surprise when I see the man who got me into backpacking in the first place! Way to go Steven!
I am always impressed with the quality of your production. Thank you. I know it is a lot of hard work, but know it is appreciated.
Solid video. Thanks for the breakdown.
Great review. I have used the Warmlite down Air Mattress for years. Really warm and light. When I go winter camping, the snow below the mattress does not melt.
Great informative video! Awesome channel!
Thank you for adding the metric weight!
Thanks for the video! I pulled the trigger and bought a lightweight pad in the form of the Big Agnes Zoom UL, partly on your recommendation. (Moosejaw was sold out of the long-wide so I bought it elsewhere.) Hopefully I will be happy with it (my older equipment is SO much heavier). I expect I will be happy since I don't do winter camping.
I have the Sea to Summit self inflating pad with an R value of 4.3 and a thickness of 3”. For where I live, it’s super comfy even in spring/fall. It’s a bit heavy at 2+ lbs, and a bit bulky, but for car camping in the edge seasons, it’s perfect.
We have 2 Berghaus Air 10 Mattresses, which are super comfortable and part self inflating, but we have had problems with deflation. Does anyone have any great tips or tricks of how to stop them deflating, we think it might be the valves. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks 🙏 Would love to stop our butts hitting the floor in the middle of the night 😂
my non-scientific studies supports my pad of choice: the thermoform x-lite. Sounds like a bag of potato chips when you move around on it, but 1) it's super lite, 2) keeps me warm enough (with my sleep layering system) and 3) is very light. Great video!
Thanks for this super comprehensive test !
Did you ever try Exped pads, what do you think about them ?
I really wished you had also covered durability in your testing. I ended up with eight patches in my Nemo Tensor (your #4) w/in 18 months and about 100 nights of use. and gave up on any further repairs because i could not find whatever hole was leaking (pretty quickly no less). I do concur it was a very comfy pad, and my experience with the Tensor Insulated was what led me to this one. Guess I'll try the BA pads you put at #1 and #2 and see how it holds up the next 8 months in EU/UK.. Thanks for all your hard work on running through these tests!
Same experience. Great pad until it lasts which for me was very disappointing for an expensive pad.
If you UK I think the sea to summit is great I have no complaints, very durable, great warmth with a quilt and very comfy and quiet. Think we get swept up in the thru hike ultralight trap, the weight penalty is recouped with the quilt and I use a bigger backpack anyway. Horses for courses. Also thankful of the massive depth when a river came through my tent haha
@@MrDancingBishop Agreed - I'm a big fan of the S to S. The slightly higher weight is because they are using a superior welding technology that requires a heavier fabric. The payoff is a pad that won't blow its baffles let you down in the field. Like you I find it comfortable, quiet and a pleasure to use. Not a single leak so far.
One flaw with this style of temperature testing is that those dimples and grooves would likely fill up with sleeping bag insulation that can keep it's loft as it wouldn't be getting compressed by your weight
Interesting. I wonder how that can be tested. Compressing the bag on top of the pad, then infrared somehow?
That is indeed Klymit's design philosophy of these V pads, allowing your sleeping bag insulation to fill in the V channels and provide insulation. They rate their insulated pads much warmer than the official R Value rating because of this, and I've slept on my Insulated Static V Lite pad in 20F temps and was comfortable. Because of this design however, I wouldn't advise sleeping on one in cold weather using a quilt rather than a sleeping bag, as it needs insulation beneath you to fill in those channels in the pad.
I think Dan Becker said something similar on his channel. If you have a sleeping bag and a Klymit pad; the sleeping bag material on the bottom fills the gaps.
I've slept with the Klymit pad in pretty cold temps and been comfortable to around -7C and it's definitely higher than 1.9R, probably about 3.2 or 3.5.
You would then have to take into account the bag’s temp rating during testing.
I've been hiking the Te Araora this year and have the sea to summit etherlight xt, it's a great pad warm and comfortable, the only sad thing is I'm on my 3rd pad as the first two the construction on the plastic welds failed and would leak out air. The shop I bought it from found that a lot of people would bring those pads back with the same issue. They had no issues swapping mine out thankfully, but it's a shame I can't have full trust in my pad.
What I used to do for cold winter camping when I used to camp in central Ontario and near the arctic in the winter, is take an inflatable pad and put my boiled English wool blanket around it. The blanket was fairly light and very thin, but the bottom would help with punctures and the top made a remarkable difference in how it filled the cavities of the pad and kept me MUCH warmer. Up in high latitudes in Winter, relying on only an inflatable pad is a bit suicidal. It's not the place for ultra-light, especially in the days before cel phones etc.
I think those of us in the Midwestern area + Ontario understand this more than the coastal mountain/forest campers. It's all fun and games until you're cold, wet, and extreme windchill is rolling in. I think it comes from the amount of fishermen and loggers that settled the area all came from Scandinavia, Germany, and Poland taught this lesson. So well that every grandmother scares into her grandkids. Sure it sounds excessive but I'd rather have heavy wool to wake up sweaty in than un @liv3d by lightweight synthetics. Sure 40lbs winter load outs may suck to carry but staying alive is more important.
I have the BA Q Core SLX and the TR NeoAir XLite. Both are great. I almost always bring the BA though. It's wider, more comfortable and quieter to sleep on. My daughters have the new BA Rapide SL and it's comfortable for sure (even though my legs hang off...haha). Thanks for the review.
Great job with your video
Nice to see the Thermarest XLite scoring high as I’ve just got one and worked well for my test. It’s a great choice for bikepacking and ultra racing where the weight is even more important. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for the detailed rundown!
Owned a thermarest NeoXT at the start of my trip. Internal baffle failure in Alaska. Got the money back, but I am concerned what would have happened in more extreme conditions, away from civilization.
My warmshowers host in Whitehorse had exactly the same failure with the same product. I've since met another rider who crossed Canada. Same issue.
Many online 'reviews' will not begin to touch on what it's like to live with the product in the long term. If I did the occasional weekend or yearly hiking trip I might have been convinced that I had a good product.
Since I'm riding from Alaska to Argentina, I need a product which is durable and/ or field serviceable over the long term.
Sticking with closed cell/ self inflating for the time being. Bulkier, heavier, but will be there for me when I need it.
Switch to the StoS - they are using a superior weld technology compared to the others and baffle failure is almost unknown. The well-designed valve is field-repairable too. I'm out a lot, and had too many failures with Exped and Thermarest baffles. I walk in remote places and need something I can rely on - the StoS hasn't let me down.
Used the Therm-a-rest Xlite short on the Appalachian trail, and as a 6’2” guy it definitely took some getting used to. But honestly for only being 8.2 ounces it was pretty good and would take it again
Your videos are the best out there man. They are so informative. But I loved how you kept this video going and used thermal imaging. So so so cool
I use foam and insulation foil (from hardware outlet), I have never had any comfort or cold issues even when sleeping on snow.
The foam pad and insulation foil costs less than £30 (~$38), weighs about 800g and I can pack both inside the backpack.
With a foam pad there is zero risk of a puncture!
The Thermarest pads can be hard but can be made more comfortable. I blow them up, then lay down on them, and then let air out slowly until it feels good. It's like a sleep number mattress on the trail because it is uniformly firm or soft.
I own both an Uberlight and Xtherm.
I do this on my Xtherm, but you do lose a bit of warmth. Best to keep it full when it's super cold.
Great video and what a fantastic breakdown. I do wish there was such a list for Price+Comfort+Weight and ignoring the warmth aspect. I wonder if there's a way you could show the raw scores for that?
It’s in the description so just delete the warmth rating and add it up
1 Week out from my first trip of the year, this is EXACTLY the video I needed. OOOOO WHOS EXCITED!?!?!
Gotta factor in the noise level of these pads. Amazing how many reviewers overlook that.
Great video!!!!
Hehe!! I love the blooper at the end!! Made me laugh so good!!
Love your content!!! AS ALWAYS!! ❤❤😂😂
great video, thank you
As a bit on the "belly-belly" side of weight (1m83 / 90Kg) I went with an EtherXT which is very confortable and very light. For insulation, like in Iceland I usually add a survival blanket.
I'm still using a Thermarest Guidelite that I got a couple decades ago, and I have been considering upgrading to one these more modern designs. I expected the weight difference to be larger; the information I'm able to find lists my Guidelite at 900g; about double the lightest pads here, and only a couple hundred grams more than the heavier modern options.
Sure, the newer ones (at least at the heavier end) will be thicker and more comfortable, but the cost for the nicer modern pads is substantial and the cheaper ones don't actually seem like much of an upgrade (despite the difference in technology) unless you're counting every gram, and I certainly don't like the idea of sleeping on a potato chip bag as many modern pads seem to behave like. I think I'll stick with what I've got until it gets worn or enough holes that it's not worth repairing any more.
Great video though, and thanks for the informative round-up!
Your video's have taught me so much about camping, I even got rid of Netflix due to watching these videos. Thanks again for all the valuable information !!!
I love my rapide pad. Gladly carry the extra weight for the quality of sleep I get. I’m a side sleeper and this is by far the most comfortable pad I’ve ever used.
Super solid review video! One thing you didn't mention is the ease of repair in the field. That's one thing that the baffle design of the ThermaRest has going for it - it's a lot easier to repair in the field than trying to squish the repair tape into an oddly shaped quilt style baffle. Last comment: Go to hammock camping and you'll never have to buy a pad again! :)
but you will have to buy an underquilt instead.. they cost pretty similar too
GearAid has stretchy Tenacious Tape patches now. I would deflate the pad, apply the stretchy pad (and optionally some SeamGrip for a bombproof seal), then reinflate the pad after the SeamGrip has had time to dry.
I use an Exped Synmat 7 and it's warm, not too heavy, not too bulky, and affordable for the warmth rating. 👍
One thing I didn't see mentioned, is that most pads will bottom out when you sit on them or close to the edge. I've only found Thermarest pads to remain stable and not bottom out, so you can enjoy breakfast in bed in comfort. Most pads with vertical and boxed baffles will let you touch the ground when you sit on them.
I have tried a number of Thermarest pads - and still have an old Prolite - but switched to Klymit years ago. I think their R-value is misleading, I find them significantly warmer than many advertised three season pads, despite the standard Klymit Static V/V lite being only rated at 1.3. Their V baffles seems flimsy if you just sit on it, but as soon as you lay down it solidifies and I think the sleeping bag is able to loft between the baffle spaces. Super comfortable as a side sleeper too.
Yeah I have the static v lite insulated and it’s a bit better then the one he talked about . It’s a really good pad
Just got back from an overnight and wanted to research a better inflatable pad. So. Thanks!
Something I missed in this review was the thermals when you lay down on them. I can imagine that changing the shape thus the insulation. I can imagine that that's hard because you can't use the thermal camera in that case but it might be an interesting test.
I got Big Agnes Rapide SL long wide, im so glad! Its so awesome and comfy, here in UK they seem to be much more popular them Zoom one. Also got Ether Light XT. Both of them are the most comfy pad on the market in my opinion.
I sold Thermarest one, they are ok but nowhere near so nice to sleep on!
I absolutely LOVE the new-ish REI Helix
I bought a Therm-A-Rest XTherm about two years ago, and I use it year round. I can't compare it to the other pads you mention, but I can say that it's a great pad. Some people complain about it being noisy and (as you mention) uncomfortable, but I have no issues with either. It's comfortable and warm, and with a 70D fabric on the bottom, I feel fairly safe in terms of puncture risk.
does it feel uncomfortable in hotter temps? I’m deciding between the xtherm or an xlite + ccf pad. where I live the temps can be over 100F or under 15F depending on the time of year…
@@frogturtle I have never had issues with the heat of the pad. I've used it in the same temperature range, and in warm weather, I regulate my temperature with a thinner quilt and/or covering myself less. I find the sleeping bag/quilt to be a bigger factor in overheating than the pad
I've not yet had a need for adding a ccf pad. Gear choices are a matter of personal preference, but my recommendation would be to go for the XTherm and have a pad that - while heavier - can be used year round. I should add that I'm not an ultralighter. I'm more traditional and also do a little bit of bushcrafting as well, so I come from a mindset of versatility and preparedness, and prior to getting the XTherm, I have been caught off guard with a pad that turned out to bee too cold. Not fun.
@@miquelbech5580 awesome, thanks for the detailed reply. I’ll consider your points!
i got the same one, issue i have with it is i bought the regular version not knowing there were other ones. So this one is really small with only 51cm width. once you move in your sleep, you're on the ground
If you like the Zoom UL, I can't wait until you try the REI Helix! Other than being maybe a little heavy, it's such a good all around sleeping pad
Working in Hawai’i conservation, I need durability and comfort. I’m currently using a nemo quasar 3D & a megamat lite 12. I use the megamat for multi-day helicopter operations & the quasar for backpacking. The megamat lite is as comfortable as my bed at home, and the quasar is a notch or two lower yet still very comfortable.
I wanted to share because a lot of the reviews and ratings online for sleeping pads aren’t applicable to tropical areas where insulation is negligible. I hope someone finds this helpful!
i have an outdoor vitals longwide i got from my dad its been pretty great for me so far it was very much like a cheaper version of the red one at the end its very thick so to me its been way better than the think klymit i had before
Holy smokes! I love the Tensor pads,I have both uninsulated & insulated(3.5 R value version) regular wide pads, love them…but I paid $175 for the reg. wide insulated one at the end 2020. I know it’s the old lower R value but holy cow it’s $220(2.5yrs later) now! That’s more inflation than added r value 😂
i absolutely love my klymit klimaloft!
How did the regular rapide do for your thermal camera test? You kind of combined the light version in your analysis, does it also seem to let more cold through than its rated R value?
Nice review. I’d like to see you test one of the new Exped Ultra pads. I’ve owned and tried the Tensor, BA Rapide, and Xlite (not the NXT though), but for me the Exped is better.
I have some of the older Exped mats (Synmat 7 LW and Downmat XP 7 LW) and the Ultra 3R. They never let me down. Very durable and very comfortable. Synmat and Downmat are not the lightest, though.
I’m surprised any of the Expeds mats or pads weren’t tested. I’ve heard that they are some the best nights sleep type of mats and pads.
I think the nemo has the best all round stats. Affordable, comfortable, silent, warm, it just checks all the boxes.
Given the cost of some of these, it seems that durability should be relevant, although I understand that it can almost impossible to test for. Personally, I purchased the NeoAir XLite NXT Pad in late January and unfortunately, by the end of April, same year, the layers began to come apart and "bubbles" started to form. Consequently, I had to return it. In contrast, a previous version of the XLite had lasted me four years.
I still have xlite from 2016. At this point I'm not giving it up until it falls apart.
I had uberlite small and it lasted a week until it bubbled. Worst spent money since thermarest lifetime warranty is a bubble too.
I have #2 and love it. Wanting to try 1 and 3 for weight
I'd love to hear about your thoughts on air vs. foam pads.
I second this
They are FKING HEAVY!!!
There's nothing to compare!!!
NO backpacker worth THEIR SALT would ever carry such stupid monstrosity!!
Strictly car camping!!
Also they are uncomfortable as it comes!!
@Ralph Reilly there’s also a lot of experienced resources out there that have the best/worst sleeping pads of 2023. Yet here we are
Just waiting for the zoom UL to be in stock at moosejaw in the 25x72 size and im gonna snag it immediately!
Thanks for the detailed Rating! But were would you put the Thermarest NeoAir UberLite?
The most impressive thing about this video is that you managed to say a whole line while lying on top of that stack of inflated pads. I knew that was a challenge and you confirmed it with the outro. Well done! 😂
I originally bought the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated but ending up switching to the Exped Ultra 3R MW because I just couldn't sleep well on the Sea to Summit.
The Exped is much better for me, even though it has a lower R-value, the comfort, size and weight is better for me.
I use a quilt so I also found the feel of the Ether Light wasn't great......it felt sticky, whereas the Exped has a better feel.
Great video. :)
I went in the other direction. I find the Exped pads uncomfortable, and had too many failures with both baffles and valves. On one occasion a valve literally disintegrated into powder - some kind of major quality snafu. On another a baffle blew in the middle of a thru-hike, causing significant discomfort and inconvenience. What didn't you like about the StoS? I find their sprung cell system gives me the most comfortable sleep I've experience in over 50 years of wild camping.
@@tullochgorum6323 I'm a very active side/front sleeper, and i just found it wasn't comfy, ant the material felt sticky.
If I value comfort and durability and am willing to carry a little more, would you stack one higher?
My #1 criterion is reliability. Having a pad slowly leaking on a trail, temperatures down to freezing and no easy bailout, is no fun. Happened to me twice with Thermarest trash. Never again. And never without an extra foam pad.
I do love my tensor, but I now want to try a big Agnes pad
I’ll confirm that the Zoom UL is not as warm. Several nights on it so far from 17°f at the coldest to 33°f at the warmest for overnight lows, I’ve been cold on it every time. But the comfort of the pad is unreal!
how does the zoom ul comfort compare to the etherlight xt? price and warmth seem about the same.
@@scottc3626 I personally find it more comfortable because of the fabric used and the side bolsters that just help you stay more centered on the pad. It’s minimal but is noticeable.
what is your opinion on the noise, some people are saying it's loud and crinkly? I am considering buying it but the noise complaints are throwing me off
Big Agnes pads have always been comfortable.
Did you do any comparison of the durability of the materials used?
Thanks!
Sea to summit extreme getting shade for being bulky. It's warm for quilt sleepers, 4 season, comfy, quite, durable hench the size. Only real alternative is xtherm that i moved from because its loud uncomfortable and slippy as fork. Think you need to sub categories this review but also thanks for doing it 😂
Great analysis! How about some of those Amazon 4 inch sleeping pads for $50-$60? Like Abtohe or Kayota? How do they stack up?
Looking at those Klymit baffles, they might even be far enough apart for the bottom of a sleeping bag to loft within those dead spots. Definitely not a great design for quilt users though.
I have an Exped Synmat 5 and been pretty happy with it's performance under my sleeping bag so far. Since that has rather deep grooves, I might test it with the quilt I now got myself for summer.
I got a Klymit just to try it out because it was so cheap. Let's just say you get what you pay for. It's now the backup to the backup.
@@dustyoldhat Man, my experience has been vastly different. I switched from a standard Thermarest prolite to the Klymit and find it really comfortable as a side sleeper. I also find it warmer than the typical 2.4r value Thermarest pads. I actually tried some more expensive models like the Neoair and still prefer the Klymit. Durability has been fine, probably 7-8 trips with it without issue. Sure, not a ton, but, decent for me.
@@jimyeats If the cheapest pad on the market works well for you, consider it a blessing from the backpacking gods
@@dustyoldhat Lol. Sure it’s an inexpensive pad, lots of cheaper options though. I would much rather spend more money on my bag and pillow. Can’t stand not having a good pillow.
Just got the exped downmat ul winter m, with an R Value of 7.1.
Second hand with 2 small patches for 100.-
best thing i ever found on craigslist
Good Review!! It is noted that the Sea to Summit (S2S) pads in Australia are significantly cheaper then allot of the other offerings. My S2S ether light xt insulated in the regular size was $180 AUD as apposed to an Therm-a-Rest xlite regular which is $400Aud.
S2S is based in Australia (no import taxes)!
@Sam Big life saver for us in NZ!!
EVERYTHING is super expensive here (bought thermarest xlite regular for $480-550) and having a quality and affordable option is a breath of fresh air
Around $200 (at least in my country) you could get an Exped LW (either downmat 9 or R8) with great R value. My main mat, winter or summer.
Are you a back or side sleeper? I find the Dura 8R to be comfortable on my side but as a mostly back sleeper the ridges feel weird to me.
@@dfkman I found the same thing. Sleeping on the side it was comfy. But, I mostly sleep on my back and I had a sore back within a couple hours...which is why I am here watching reviews. I do love the Schnozzle, though.
@@dfkman Never thought of it, both, but mainly back outdoors. I try to find the right balance of air in the mat, sometimes a match right away and other times not. But now you have made me aware. 😂
Exped tend to be best in Europe
@@cgmllr100 Did you let air out of the mat so that you are 2-3 cm from the ground at the lowest points? If you have a sitting pad or cell foam like ridgerest under it will be perfect is my experience as a back sleeper.
Big agnes q core deluxe at $109 is the one of best value to performance pads in my opinion
I would really like a more in depth video comparing the tensor, xlite and zoom ul. I toss and turn a lot and mainly sleep on my sides. So I’m leaning towards the tensor or the zoom. But the xlite is very tempting since it seems most reliable in terms of insulation. The main things I’m wondering are the comfort and the durability between these 3 pads.
I'm a side sleeper and bought both the xlite and tensor to try out. I sent the xlite back and went with the tensor as it was by far the most comfortable. I found myself rolling off the xlite as the sides just don't hold you on. Also the xlite was far too noisy compared to the tensor.
I have the previous xlite. As a side sleeper it's very uncomfortable. But it is insanely light....if you don't mind carrying an extra oz or two go with big Agnes or Nemo.
Not on the list, but I found the older tensor alpine comfortable and warm. Think the temperature got down to 15-20°F once, and it was still nice and warm even though my sleeping bag with limit rating of 18F. struggled to keep me warm from the top side. I guess itwould be quite similar to the tensor insulated when it comes to confort, and the R value rating is better (4.8). Think the weight for the regular/mummy size is a hair more than 1 pound, so not any heavier either. Just as expensive though. Bought mine for $199 a little over a year ago.
Thank you
I'm curious what you'd consider the realistic R value or comfortable temperature range for the Zoom UL after factoring in the misleading R value claim. As for Nemo Tensor reviews over the last year, a crazy high % says that it leaks badly and is fragile. Quality has apparently gone downhill drastically.
Now it's time to do the foam pads. 🤗
Great info, MLO! Sometimes I wonder if there's value in using two thinner pads that costs the same as one thick one. Since I don't hear anyone in the backpack community talking about it, I'm assuming it's a terrible idea. But still I wonder.
Yeah, that works, but the downsides are it will be heavier, take more space and depending on the pads you use they can slide off of each other. In cold temperatures (that I don't go camping in that often) I have a foam pad (lightweight, cheap, good insulation, but bulky and uncomfortable on its own) to go underneath the normal air pad 😊
Xtherm is the one im saving for. I just want to buy a sleeping pad ONCE, take care of it and have it last as long as it can.
Did you try any of the slightly less warm pads with a CCF pad underneather? Just curious. We used to use CCF Ridgerests with 1” thick (R2.2) Thermarest Ultralite pads in winter. And be fine.
I only car camp currently and I don’t know if I can do without my xped megamat. I take it with me when vistitibg family it’s more comfortable than the air mattress they offer me. It’s not loud at all and it’s fully adjustable to be firm or soft. Can’t say enough good things about it, but it is way too big for anything but car camping lol
The big agnes rapide wide is so nice,
Bro 180k....awesome!🎉
I came across the kilos gear AeroCloud Sleeping Pad Elite. Do you have any experience with this sleeping pad? The add was very promising but I doubt it’s as good as they say
Nice video! I bought an exped dura 5R. It was affordable ($135) and has a good R value. I guess it would it be considered heavy at 1 lb 14 oz.
Hi Steven! My husband and me are looking for a good sleeping pad and we wondered if we should buy one big duo sleeping pad or two single ones. What would you recommend? And thank you for all your great Videos! You are our favorite camping expert 🥳🍀
I know it's 6 months later, but just thought I'd mention that zpacks sells coupling straps that cinch together two individual pads. I've used them with good luck. especially with two rectangular pads. feels about the same as a duo pad, which I've also used.
I use an Xtherm on the trail, and a Sea To summit pad at home. That may sound odd, but I use a sleeping pad in lieu of a bed.
I just got a nemo tensor insulated for 40% off at rei, it's amazing.