
Exped
MegaMat Series
Car camping comfort champ, but some side sleepers find it thin.

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1. foam pads outperform their ASTM rating. I personally feel comfortable taking my 2R CCF pad down to freezing, and a number of people agree with the assessment that a CCF pad is 3 season capable. Most of those generic egg crate z-lite knockoffs are 1.7 to 2R which is fine for summer or even 2 season conditions. Sometimes you get lucky and get a true 3 season pad for cheap. 2. Your numbers are a bit conservative, but that also depends on location so it may be right wherever you are. For air pads, I’d agree somewhere near 2 is fine for summer, like the Klymit uninsulated pad is 1.9R and a fine budget summer pad. Thermarest neoair xlite is the UL 3 season gold standard at 4.8R. However as stated, CCF sleeps warmer in the real world and a 2R CCF pad will sleep just fine in a lot of 3 season conditions. for example I used a z-lite for every step of the AT and now a switchback for the Oregon coast trail, a 1000 mile LASH of the PCT, and the PNT. to OP, the main issue is do you find CFF egg crate accordion pads comfy? if you do, it is like unlocking a cheat code for putting together a cheap, light, comfy sleep system. I’m lucky in that one of these pads is enough for me but I only recommend it if you aren’t sacrificing sleep.
My favorite is the klymit static-V pads, they make extra wide and doubles, insulated or not.
Did they change the valve? Both mine have twist valves.
For £50 you’re not going to get the same warmth as your old Ether, but you can get something comfy and reliable like the Klymit Static V If you want something easy to grab in-store go to a Decathlon and look at their Trek series pads which are pretty affordable too. [5 Best Ultralight Sleeping Pads in 2025](https://alaskanarrows.com/5-best-ultralight-sleeping-pads-for-backpacking/) could help with others as well Cheers mate
The klymit might not be great for side sleeping, you probably want something thicker. The megamat needs some air adjustment to be comfortable for me but once I get it right it’s very comfy.
i've been happy enough with my Klymit Static V that I bought two more for other family members.
Idk. My green Klymit pad is the best of everything. I side sleep, I'm a hefty ish woman and it's comfy, inflates easily. Deflates easily. Packs up small. It's held up for well over five years. Those are kinda my requirements.

Exped
MegaMat Series
Car camping comfort champ, but some side sleepers find it thin.

Exped
Ultra Series
Lightweight side-sleeper comfort, but a bit pricey and bulky.

NEMO
Tensor Series
Ultralight side-sleeper comfort, but slippery and prone to leaks.

Big Agnes
Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad
Comfortable with side rails, but heavy and warmth claims disputed.

Therm-a-Rest
NeoLoft™ Sleeping Pad
Very comfortable, good service, but heavy and bulky for backpacking.

Ranked #1
Exped - MegaMat Series

Ranked #1
Exped - MegaMat Series

Ranked #1
Exped - MegaMat Series

Ranked #1
Exped - MegaMat Series

Ranked #1
Therm-a-Rest - NeoAir Xtherm Series