Exped - DownMat Lite 5

I've always found exeds comfortable and warm. Have an old down mat 5m (discontinued) and a Dura 6r. Yeah the dura is heavy but it is durable, down filled and very comfortable. I am recovering from spinal injuries and my temperature regulation is bollocked now I'm on blood thinners. I can save weight elsewhere.

To throw another option into the mix, have you looked at exped pads? I got mine for backpacking because it’s lightweight packs up to about the size of a water bottle and has a decent r value. It quickly became my favorite to sleep on so I don’t use the traditional pads anymore. Mine is the downmat which I don’t think they make any more but they have quite a few to choose from

Spend a few dollars more - exped has some great mats- synmat or downmat. Light, comfortable and warm in cold weather too. I justified the price based on how much a hotel costs- being comfortable is important and you will have it forever

Exped makes some great pads. I got mine for weight and pack size and it’s the most comfortable pad I own

When I got an exped downmat. It seemed like a lot of money at the time - light weight- folded up to the size of a water bottle and damn it’s comfortable- more comfortable than any camping pad I’ve ever used

Exped makes a great mat. But you might want to look at the thicker thermorest pads as an option as well

Exped mats rock

I’m a 6’/220lb side sleeper. Been using an Exped DownMat for several years. Lightweight, packs small, R8. Fits in my dry bag, with my sleeping bag, on my DR.

I’m a 6’ 215 lb side sleeper. Love my DownMat.

Mine is maybe nine years old.

Exped all the way. Love my green whatever name it is, it's insulated, so it's nice in cold months and works good in summer months.

Dump the nemo Astro out of the running: Its R value is listed at only 2.6 and it's 1lb 11 oz. The others are warmer and lighter. Plus it's a 20" wide pad. I don't know why, after all these years, we don't have a 23" option - more comfy than a 20", which tbh sucks but lighter than a 25". But I digress. We don't. It's either 20" or. 25". 25" is a way nicer nights sleep and Some of the pricier pads you've chosen here come in at this size for a very similar weight and significantly more warmth. And since all of these options are in your price range, according to you, then I'd say dump the nemo Astro. By comparison, the other Nemo pad, the extreme conditions, is an 8.5 r value and the Long and Wide size Is only 1 lb 10 oz. That's WAY warmer and more comfortable. It may suffer from a little less durability. Rab is a REALLY solid brand. I would categorically buy anything they made, and I have a lot of Rab gear. So if you are ok with a 20" pad, then this might really hit a sweet spot for you if price is an issue. I would forever and always buy a 5.5 R rating pad over a 2.6. The Thermarest has a very, very good 7+ R rating while also being very light for a long wide mat at 1lb 8 oz. Kinda seems like the winner to me. Again, the question is durability and how you will use it. If you expect to be at altitude or in cold weather or shoulder season, you'll want at least a 5 R value. Fyi Exped pads are really super too. I rock an older down filled Exped mat that's been good to me for a very long time now. R rating of 7+ - Have taken that into 20 degree temps on Mt Rainier for winter camping etc.

I was using a backpacking style exped inflatable pad and recently replaced it with a self inflating one. Takes up a lot more space but far more comfortable (and quiet!).

Get an exped airbed. I've tried a lot of selfinflating mats, but i always end up blowing them up by mouth and than have les comfort sleeping than with the exped mats and be sorry i bought them. The investment in an exped is worth it, especially the air bag to blow them up is genius.

Look into exped insulated pads. They use insulation instead of the reflective inner layer other manufacturers are now using. Insulation instead of reflective layer is quieter, warm, but a bit heavier. Can’t stand the crinkly noise produced by reflective layer models.

That’s a legit complaint. Ive tried pads from every company and NONE has solved the noise caused by the sleeping bag sliding around on the pad. But the newer reflective tech layers that are inside the pads add an additional crinkling noise that the reflective layer makes when it moves. So yeah, the exped still makes noise but I find they’re less noisy than the reflective pads. I turn over nonstop all night long and am insanely sensitive to noise. I suspect pad reviewers who claim ANY current pad is silent probably aren’t turning over very much or are simply less sensitive to the noise. Overall, i find expeds less noisy.

I had a Tensor and it was uncomfortable for me as well. I’ve found Exped inflatable pads comfortable. My favorite right now though is the Neoloft.