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Reddit Reviews
I've used sleeping pads from Exped, Sea to Summit, Thermarest, Klymit, and a bunch of random off brands like outdoorsman lab and ampex. In my experience all brands will hold air all night and are roughly equally reliable out of the box, the difference is the higher end brands have better support if you get a defective product. That being said, Exped makes my personal favorite inflatable sleeping pads and if you mostly camp in warm weather you can currently get their 1R from their website for $50 https://www.expedusa.com/products/ultra-1r-mummy If you go out in colder weather, add a 1/8" EVA foam pad like this one: https://www.gossamergear.com/products/thinlight-foam-pad Combine those and you get a sleeping pad that can get you down to just about freezing (in my experience) for a total weight of ~1lb and a cost of ~$80
Ahh ok then yea low or no R-value would be fine in those cases. Klymit also makes a good lightweight low R-value pad, it's what I used in Texas and worked quite well in warmer weather. Not as heavy or thick as the one you linked, but much lighter and packs down smaller. Great if you're backpacking but there are better options if car camping imo. Exped Ultra 1R is also a good pad, the more insulated 3 and 5 are also popular for colder temps. I've used the Dura versions which are a heavier/more insulated version and it was comfortable. I've also heard good things about Nemo Tensor but have no experience with it.
How much weight is too much for you, though? I’m a larger guy (230lbs) and find the tensor uncomfortable. It’s usable, but I don’t sleep great on it. My wife has the quasar and it’s way more comfy for me. Recently, I said screw it and tried an Exped Ultra mat. It’s quite large, and has some weight to it. BUT I sleep better than I ever have in the backcountry. So it’s my luxury item - and I’ll gladly carry the extra weight for the improved sleep I get.
I actively dislike my summer pad (Exped UL) and sleep terribly even when exhausted so now I carry my winter mat (Exped DownMat UL) year round. It’s insulated and just enough cushier that I can sleep decently and wake up ready to roll. Hammock doesn’t work well above timberline, for those folks suggesting that option!
Exped Ultra is comfortable and ultralight. Pretty affordable, too. Give it a try.
Most 20D pads seems to be "too fragile". Only exception seems to be the exped ultra somehow. But it's really hard to have a good picture on pads reliability.
I really like my Exped Ultra. Im a side sleeper and the vertical baffles are good for me - never had any problems with it.
Yeah thats thin. Go to rei and try some I find the exped ultra and dura series most comfortable for light backpacking pads. If you are going less far or it’s important you can take something even more comfortable meant for car camping. And if it deflates it’s either from temperature drop or a leak. submerge it underwater to find leaks.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Back pain relief

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Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Couples

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Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Maximum comfort car camping

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Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Side sleepers

Top pick
Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Winter camping

Top pick
Therm-a-Rest - NeoAir Xtherm Series





