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Reddit Reviews
I like exped, as a side sleeper with broad shoulders. I got the wide version of their 4r.
Had slept on the S2S Extreme version current and previous model, the previous version of the Neoair and Xtherm with winglock and Exped Versa 4R. Hands down the S2S is the most comfortable pad then followed by Exped and last place is both Thermarest. Im a side sleeper and the Neoair and Xtherm i can't sleep well which sux considering their low weights. The newer S2S Extreme is close to my Xtherm so i take that instead in the winter. Yes its noisy (new and old, i didnt notice any difference but i dont have the older model to compare), so don't camp near people or tell them to camp far from you. I know someone that puts a cover on their pad but thats extra weight without any benefit for yourself.
Exped has a 5R version out- just picked one up but haven’t used it yet; I used a 3.5R version in Yellowstone Lamar Valley last September with a Feathered Friends Flicker 20 degree. At age 64 not going back to closed cell foam- just more lunges more farmer walks with dumbbells and more frequent training hikes with loaded pack. I like polyester sleeping pads because if I don’t cover enough ground during the day I do a great job making up for it at night when I’m sleeping and a polyester sleeping pad helps me stay on the pad. Yes it weighs more. So… more lunges…more training hikes…and better sleeps at night on trips. Nemo Tensor used to be polyester but they switched to nylon to market a lighter weight pad.
Check out airpads by Thermarest, Exped and Sea to Summit. Not the self-inflating ones, the ones with thick air chambers. They can be up to 4" thick, and the comfiest ones are miles away from a roll mat. If you buy one, don't inflate them by blowing, as exhaled air has enough moisture in it to cause issues down the line.
Modern-day insulated inflatable hiking pads are 3 to 4" thick and the comfiest are miles better than anything I've seen any military force use. Reliable brands include Thermarest, Exped and Sea to Summit, with the latter having an "air sprung cell" structure I find the comfiest of them all. Model names include Neoair for Thermarest, Versa for Exped, and Etherlight and Aircell for Sea to Summit. Add an inflatable pillow and you're set for an actual night of sleep instead of just waiting for time to pass. Some bag manufacturers make wide or extra wide models. I'm not as well updated on bags.
I've had four Expeds. Still have two. Both have the built-in pump. One has synthetic fill. The other has some down insulation which makes it good for ~10F colder than without. The first two developed tiny leaks (could not find them even with submerging). They were a few years out of warranty. Exped still replaced both. I appreciate a company that stands behind their products. I also like side-sleeping. I have not used these as much as what you will. So durability...🤷
I've had four Expeds. Still have two. Both have the built-in pump. One has synthetic fill. The other has some down insulation which makes it good for ~10F colder than without. The first two developed tiny leaks (could not find them even with submerging). They were a few years out of warranty. Exped still replaced both. I appreciate a company that stands behind their products. I also like side-sleeping. I have not used these as much as what you will. So durability...🤷
I have an exped pad for backpacking and I love it. Most comfortable one I’ve ever used
I had a Tensor and it was uncomfortable for me as well. I’ve found Exped inflatable pads comfortable. My favorite right now though is the Neoloft.
Insulated inflatable sleeping pad. Yes, an air mattress. But the ones with high R value will insulate you. Exped, Nemo, Thermarest, Sea to Summit, others. There are lightweight ones for backpacking and imaginably so they're going to tend to be more expensive. There are other ones that may be more comfort focused that aren't as light if you're just doing car camping. Get one from a company that does ASTM rating. This does kind of sound like "big sleeping pad" or a cartel. And it kind of is. But prior to them using that standard, it was the wild west. Sleeping pad manufacturers would just put any number on there that didn't mean anything. So a bunch of companies got together and decided to use this standard. It just gives you that relative comparison across brands. If you're not going below 32 f, then consider a pad that is R value 4 to 5. If you're going to be going below freezing but not necessarily below zero f, consider R value 6 or better. If you're going to be going below zero f then, you want to get up into the ones that are rated at R value 7.5+. You can stack an inflatable on top of ccf pads to increase your insulation. You can put an insulated sleeping pad on top of a cot if that's what you want to do. If you're using an inflatable, obviously you want to make sure it won't pop on the cot. About using a cot. Just getting you off the ground isn't going to make your warm. You'll still need insulation. The cot is irrelevant to heat transfer to the ground. You'd just end up with cold air under you instead of cold ground. One to look out for is the upcoming Nemo Eclipse which is supposed to be due out in march. It's going to be 4 in thick so probably comfortable. With an R value of 6.2 it should be pretty comfortable down to about zero f. No one really has information on this yet. So if you're looking to buy right now, you're going to look at other stuff. Check out the websites. If you see ones you're interested in, watch YouTube reviews. They're usually pretty good videos on most every product that's out there. I wanted to add, R value on sleeping pads and ground insulation is equally important to understanding top insulation. If using a sleeping bag or backpacking quilt, it's important to understand the EN or ISO rating. And really to look at the comfort rating. Understand also that those standards are assuming you're sleeping on a sleeping pad with an R value about 5 plus wearing base layer or thermal underwear, wool socks, and a warm hat.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Back pain relief

Top pick
Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Couples

Top pick
Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Maximum comfort car camping

Top pick
Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Side sleepers

Top pick
Exped - MegaMat Series
Best for Winter camping

Top pick
Therm-a-Rest - NeoAir Xtherm Series





