Camping Pad?

Dr_Hunter

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LAST EDITED ON Jun-05-11 AT 09:31PM (MST)[p]Looking at the Alaskan Guide pad made by Cabelas and the Big Agnes. What do you guys use and recommend?
I would use it for backpacking. So I would prefer a lighter weight one.
I have always used a cheap foam one or gone without. I would like to actually be able to get some sleep this year.

"Half of being smart, is knowing what you're dumb about."
 
I have the big agnes insulated air core and it has by far been my favorite pad. I use it for backpacking and it only weighs a pound. I would recommend it.
 
I would second Dryflelks comments, the Big Agnes, or the NEO Air are both tops as far as I am concerned.
The NEO air kinda drives me crazy with the noise, but I like it anyway.
The big agnes is also outstanding.
We have reviews of both at iReviewGear.com
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-06-11 AT 01:00PM (MST)[p]I think that the noise would drive me nuts. Is the Big Agnes noisy?
Also, this is probably more of a personal preference, but is the additional 5" on the width worth it? The 20" or 25" width.

"Half of being smart, is knowing what you're dumb about."
 
Big agnes insulated air core my choice too. When I was younger I could sleep on the blue pads then the light wreight air pads but now its the Big agnes air core pad.

If there is any proof of a man in a hunt it is not whether he killed a deer or elk but how he hunted it.
 
I have the big agnes and love it BUT I do roll or slide off of it from time to time depending on how level of a camping spot I find. If you have a big agnes sleeping bag with the sleeve on the bottom side this shouldn't be a problem.

A friend of mine has had both the big agnes and the neo air and he really likes the neo air. The top is kinda tacky so your bag doesn't slide around on it too badly. And its lighter weight than the big agnes.

I had a cabelas xpg pad and I wouldn't recommend it.
 
Dr Hunter,
The Big Agnes is not noisy at all. It is a little larger and a litter heavier than the neo air.
I have found the comfort to be about the same.
Both are really good, and very comfortable.
 
Exped Down Mat 9


The voices in my head may not be real, but they have
some good ideas!
 
I've tried almost all of the pads on the market and own quite a few. I have not used the Neoair for more than a test but my buddy has one. My take;
The thicker the pad the more comfort. You will have to sacrifice a bit of durability with the UL pads- thinner easier to puncture fabric.

The older Thermarest design seems to be a bit more durable but less comfortable than the thicker inflatables.

Don't make the mistake of getting an inflatable without at lest R3.5 insulation.

I think the Exped pads are the best on the market- not always the lightest, but they have a flatter surface,its quiet, good insulation and durable fabric though my 5 year old Synmat has developed a slow leak on my last trip.YMMV
 
An update from my last post;
My Exped is off to be replaced- carried a 5 year guarantee and I was in the 5th year- sweet and great customer service.

But, I needed something right away. Wasn't wild about the Yellow Neoair due to the crunchy sound.

Cascade now makes two improved versions- the Trekker and All Season. Both are slightly heavier but do not have that crunch. The trekker is R2 and the All Season R5.5 [R values from from memory- its close] My large 25"x 78" trekker is 26oz vs the 42oz of my Exped.

The Exped is a bit thicker and has a flatter top but for almost a pound less this trekker is worth a look.
 
Thanks for the update. I have yet to buy one. I am still holding out for a coupon at Cabelas. I don't need it until Nov.

"Half of being smart, is knowing what you're dumb about."
 
Check out backpackinglight.com if you want an unbiased review of current lightweight backpacking pads. They actually thermally test sleeping pads for R-value ratings and don't receive money from advertisers, so I would put a lot of weight on their reviews (no pun intended). You can't underestimate the value of good insulation beneath you. The best bag in the world will be cold very quickly with a poor insulating pad on snow. The neo air did pretty good in that review, but if you can wait expect a new product out similar to the neo-air with a better R-value around Jan 2012.

You might not want to read too many of their articles or you will start crying when you find out most lightweight backpackers are running packs in the 20# or less range.
 
After about 3 weeks of trips with this; the "Trekker" kills the "Neo air" its much quieter, and has a flatter surface with a more durable fabric than Neo. I had it in mostly moderate weather [20 degree low is all] but my 30 deg down bag and Trekker worked well [in a tent, warm sleeper]

If a guy was hunting late seasons the All season would be a good choice. If I recall correctly, these have lifetime warranty. I still like the Exped- quality pad- but a tad heavier.
 

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