Ultra 5R

Agree 100%. I actually got the 5r because I was waking up every 20 min with pain in my arm from my thermarest. Figured out the side baffles were killing me. The exped is so nice I sleep so much better now.

If you liked the Dura why not get the 5r? I just got one, the mummy version which saves a few ounces, to replace my thermarest and I love it.

I have the 5r and love it. Exped rules.

I have 2 Exped ultra 5r, warm enough for 3 season use in UK and haven't had any issues with either.

For that price, get the Exped Ultra 5R.

If you want something for 3 seasons, go with the exped ultra 5r. They also have a 3r version if you want something in-between.

I have three; Exped Ultra 5R, Exped Flex, and Exped Deep Sleep. Ultra & Flex are my backpacking pads and the Deep Sleep is for car camping. Side and back sleeper that runs hot. Spring/summer/fall in the PNW. Go wide/long since you like to roll around.

I got 10yrs on you and a hip surgery done a few months ago. I’m 5’4” 150# , side/back sleeper. I sleep like a baby on the Exped Ultra 5R. I also throw my Exped Flex mat under the Ultra. (Slept on this set up in October 2024 and twice this year so far) I have the Exped Deep Sleep for in the car. Don’t think I could backpack with it, too bulky but comfy AF. Looking at your mat, there’s no way I’d be comfortable on it. I sleep on a pillow as well and have the Cocoon Aircore.

I've had an Exped mat for years and I love it -- Exped Ultra 5R Sleeping Pad- I love the medium wide version -- plus they have fantastic customer service should anything go wrong. They fix it in a timely matter and ship it back to you.

I have both pads and I think the exped is more comfortable and easier to inflate and pack away. Not saying the tensor is uncomfortable. Both pads are great. Everyone sleeps differently. I like the pump sack that comes with the Exped. It also doubles as a large dry bag that works out perfectly for a pack liner.

I have the regular wide version on both pads and the tensor definitely wins on weight and pack size but I’ve never had any issues packing the Exped into my pack.

Stick with the foam imo! Although foam won't necessarily be the most comfortable option to sleep on when camping on hard surfaces (which can be mitigated with site selection), it offers comfort in other ways. It's comfortable in that it's very low-maintenance: it'll never pop or develop a leak, and it'll never deflate in the middle of the night. You don't have to baby it whatsoever. It's comfortable in that it takes mere seconds to set up and take down. It's comfortable in that replacing it is easy and cheap. It's comfortable in that it's very light for the weight and you can trim it down to lighten it further. It's comfortable that it serves multiple purposes, including a sit pad during the day and a mat for stretching. All of these things pay dividends on a long-distance hike where light, reliable, multipurpose, and time-efficient gear rules. Also, I don't think foam is nearly as uncomfortable as people make it out to be. You can always use extra clothes and other stuff for padding if you have to camp on a hard surface. I find inflatables to be slippery and annoyingly narrow, whereas I can sprawl on foam like I'm on a real bed. Edit: I'll add that I own a Thermarest NeoAir X-Lite and an Exped Ultra 5R. I'd take foam over them any day on a thru-hike for the ease of use, durability, and weight. The last thing I want to do after a long day of hiking is to spend time blowing air into a glorified pool floatie.