Exped - Ultra 3R Mummy

The Exped 3R in the mummy shape is only 13 oz and packs very small. I find it really comfortable, r-value of 2.9 is fine for spring/summer.

Same. Love the 3R (not slippery, not noisy, vertical baffles and “rails”) but really jealous of the Tensor Elite weight. Now, if Tensor made the Elite in a 25”, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

Be careful with the 3R mummy. I was considering this, but a lot of folks find Exped’s mummy cut too aggressive at the top and at the bottom. Compare vs. Nemo and TR.

Exped 3R or 5R might be worth a try. They both come in mummy wide and have vertical baffles, which some people find more comfortable. I’ve never used an xlite, but I find the 5R comfortable for side sleeping. 

Tensor Elite listed specs are 20x72 at 8.5 ounces . Exped ultra 3r in the mirrored mummy 20.5x72 configuration is 12.9 ounces. 8.5 ounces vs 12.9 ounces. So not half the weight It's 1.5x the weight, not 2x. And it's warmer and way more durable

A comfort-oriented side sleeping setup that has worked well for me:  - Exped Ultra 3R LW mummy fits my height and is wide where it counts. Because the baffles run lengthwise, they “block” you into the pad and you don’t feel like you’ll fall off. (At least, I don’t. I am a tall, somewhat slender woman.)  - Put a patch of foam under the hip - prevents the feeling of bottoming out. 2 panels of switchback, a cheapo sit pad, some foam that comes with a random package - anything squishy works. The foam is key. The only reason I ever felt uncomfortable before the foam was my hip hitting the ground. No longer!  I can sleep in any position in that setup. 

My exped 3r and 5r pads are great! They are very, very comfortable. Cannot speak for the Tensor. My REI doesn’t have the Exped Ultras on the floor, they’re a website item. If REI is a long drive, order from REI online and try it on your (very clean) floor for a night. REI has a no-questions-asked return policy.  For side sleeping I recommend sleeping on the pad slightly deflated and throwing a small piece of closed-cell foam under your hip.

I’d get the 3R and supplement with a CCF pad for the occasional sub freezing trips. That’s my personal setup.

I am an Exped Ultra 3R and 5R fan. I feel like they are highly underrated in the hiking community. My opinion is they sleep warmer than rated, are super comfortable, quite and cost less than a lot of pads. Just an FYI if you want another possibility/option. Edit: Sorry, I forgot this was Ultralight. I was thinking it was the Appalachian Trail sub.

I backpack a lot and have a lot of bad back issues. I always dial my gear in at home before going into the field. I like Exped Ultra pads, I mostly use the 3R. They are highly underrated and are super comfortable for me. I use the trekology pillow. I have expermented with two in the past but I am back to one. I have used sleeping bags and quilts. Bags are out for me. Quilts are more comfortable. This year I went with the Zen Bivy light bed and it is very comfortable. I flip and flop all night and love this quilt/half sheet so far. I can get into any position for comfort.

I use the Exped Ultra 3r and love it. Their pads are highly underrated.

Exped pads are highly underrated!

After most of a thru with a 3R it's the only sleeping pad I would ever want on the AT. Comes with great pump sack. Get in a bag on top of it for winter.

As far as $/warmth ratio, this one is the winner. $50+ cheaper than S2S, Therma, Nemo and really comfy. I love mine.

The 3R is a pretty incredibly value for an 18oz pad at around $150. The 5R is probably better for being in Maine outside of summer.

Totally agree on the Ultra, I've got an Ultra 3R currently that is my 3-season pad but the Elite is substantially lighter and isn't really a direct competitor, Uberlite was discontinued ostensibly because of the high failure rates and warranty claims/returns.