Quasar 3D Lightweight Non-Insulated Sleeping Pad

I love my quasar, but I’ve also never had it get a hole on a trip

I prefer the quasar sleep pad to the STS option - but that’s a personal preference thing. Sleeping bag or quilt definitely isn’t something to skimp on. When I first started, I bought a sub 150 sleeping bag and quickly found out its “rating” wasn’t even close. Wife and I were in the same boat years ago. We went “cheap ish” with gear and quickly realized we wanted to upgrade certain things. Looking back - we wished we just went with the good gear from the get go (of course, if funds allow) - because we ended up rebuying the gear we actually wanted shortly after, and spent money on the “cheaper” gear that we didn’t like that then felt like a waste. We would have saved money if we just bought the nicer kit in the beginning.

How much weight is too much for you, though? I’m a larger guy (230lbs) and find the tensor uncomfortable. It’s usable, but I don’t sleep great on it. My wife has the quasar and it’s way more comfy for me. Recently, I said screw it and tried an Exped Ultra mat. It’s quite large, and has some weight to it. BUT I sleep better than I ever have in the backcountry. So it’s my luxury item - and I’ll gladly carry the extra weight for the improved sleep I get.

I totally recommend the quasar. I think it’s a great balance of size, weight, and comfort. My wife is a side sleeper and loves it. The extra thickness definitely helps if you are a side sleeper. She’s small. Loves the quasar. Hates my tensor - just for the side sleeping. For what it’s worth!

I’ve got one of their ultra lite pads. It’s the most comfortable pad I’ve used that wasn’t self-inflating. I’m a side sleeper and prefer it over both my nemo quasar and nemo tensor.

Get something with 4 inchs of thickness. Us big guys need that level or near to it of thickness. Nemo Quasar is close, same with Big Agnes Campmeister. I have the Thermarest neoloft and love it. I'm also a big guy. Thermarest and definitely the Campmeister are good for those temps.

Do you happen to have a Quasar? I have one and it’s a tank. A little heavy and not the warmest, so I upgraded to their Eclipse.

That’s exactly why I upgraded. The Quasar kicks ass, but the Eclipse checks even more boxes for me.

I’ll second the trip to REI to test out sleeping pads. It helped us settle on the Nemo Quasar. I have a bad L5/S1 disc and I sleep like a baby on both my back and side.

Everyone recommends the Exped Megamat. My wife and I actually have Thermarest Mondo Kings. Ours have lasted for almost 10 years of camping. We mostly car camp at state and national campgrounds, close to 30 days a year. We are all side sleepers. I am pushing 200. They are fantastic. We also have Nemo Quasars for when canoe/kayak camping.