I carry this type of pad for added cushion and as a backup for a possible failure of my main Exped Synmat 7. I would not use something like this alone because I would feel the hard ground and not sleep. Add the few pounds and get an inflatable and sleep like a baby.
I’m not your size, but I do have a really hard time sleeping on the really small pads that people seem to love. Exped sleeping pads are the only thing I’ve found that I can sleep well on, and I happily carry them knowing there are lighter pads out there.
For reference, I’m an athletic 5’9” 190 and my Exped SynMat is a Regular length, but “Wide” version. It takes up most of the floor space in my Nemo Dragonfly 2p.
No the sleeping bag won’t help much. To get a significant bump in comfort you’ll have to jump into some heavier pads that are still compressible enough to bring backpacking. Pads like the Thermarest Neoloft or Exped Megamat Ultra.
I have a Tensor All Season and find it comfortable, however my Exped Synmat 3D (older version of the Megamat Ultra) is definitely more comfortable. My brother has the Rapide SL which is similar to the Tensor in comfort.
I have an Exped as well as the bestway one often mentioned here and the zen bivvy one, and the exped is the comfiest and warmest hands down. However I can’t remember which one it is exactly (it’s an old model, now deprecated, but 7 cm deep). Also has by far the best inflation system.
Most will tell you “you need an underquilt”… but if you prefer the little extra structure/support from a pad, like me, then a pad will do JUST FINE! I have an under quilt, but prefer and pretty exclusively use an inflatable pad.
I think what works best is a mummy shape with rounded corners and tapered foot end. I use an older exped synmat LW (long wide) mummy shape pad, basically same as current exped 3R pads. It fits great in my hammock (hammock gear circadian). It’s super comfortable, I don’t get any cold spots at my arms or feet. Would also work great if I ever needed to ground camp. .. you don’t “need” and under quilt, if you have a pad that works well with your setup.
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