Ultra 7R

Usually I have slept on gravel and rocks for 40+ years, as I am a Real Man (c) (tm) (PatPen). Now I have a Ultra 7R Long Wide sleeping pad from Enwild, and gosh I wish I had had something like that for the past 40 years. For side-sleepers, it is helpful to have a sleeping bag that includes a way to lash it to a sleeping pad.

Best mats in my opinion are the ones by exped. Whole range of mats from 5cm ultra lite to 10cm down layered winter mats. And the USP they guarantee all mats and will reseal/fix the mat if you have an issue, no past warranty rubbish, just send it in

MegaMat 15 is amazingly comfortable for car camping. I am not entirely sold on the MegaMat Ultra, though it is definitely more comfortable than the already comfortable Ultra 7 LW I have.

Exped Ultra 3, 5 or 7

I currently have a sts xt version and compared to the zenbivy ultralight it’s very uncomfortable. The 7r pro looks like it might be more comfortable but not worth the risk. Reviews are winning my choice. Will post post Azt.

Get something with a super high R rating - higher than you think you need. Look for a baffling system that is either dimpled or vertical. For whatever reason, horizontal baffles don’t have a lot of “give” to them so they are less comfortable for side sleepers in general.  Therm-a-Rest Neoair Xtherm is probably the warmest pad out there (not the highest R rating per se but the most effective insulation system means it is still warmer than other pads with higher R values). It may not the most comfortable for a side sleeper because of the horizontal baffles, however. But this is the pad you want if you want to prioritize warmth. If you want to prioritize comfort, Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro will probably not sleep as warm but will be more comfortable for a side sleeper because of the dimpled baffling system. Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions is also very warm and only slightly less comfy than the Ether Light.  Exped Ultra 7R is a bit heavier and bulkier but is very comfy for a side sleeper. It uses down rather than reflective film for insulation. So it won’t be quite as crinkly as a lot of warm pads, but I’m not sure if the down insulation is more or less effective in this application.  Big Agnes Campmeister Deluxe is quite bulky and heavy for a backpacking pad but is super, super comfortable and has a very respectable R value of 7.  The other big, bulky “luxury” comfort backpacking pads - Exped Megamat Ultra and Therm-a-Rest Neoloft - are great options for comfort but with lower R values so they may be less warm than you might want.  Other things to consider - even a well-insulated sleeping pad will only stay as warm as your body is able to heat it. The bigger the pad, the more of your body’s heat it will draw away from you. So don’t buy a massively oversized sleeping pad thinking it will automatically be more comfortable. For insulating purposes, something that is only as big as you need it to be will be more efficient for your body to keep warm.  Make sure you take advantage of all the usual strategies for staying warm in the backcountry: Use your Nalgene as a hot water bottle and keep it in your sleeping bag/quilt with at night. Do some jumping jacks or other activity to get your heartrate and body temperature up before going to bed. Make sure you are properly hydrated and getting enough food to keep warm. Etc.