Hi,
Request for shared experiences and opinions, especially regarding comfort and reliability/durability between Therm-a-Rest Neoloft (regular wide), Neoair Topo Luxe (30 wide), and Trail Pro Max (regular wide).
I travel with my wife, mostly by motorcycle, but occasionally also on short backpacking and bikebacking trips. Currently, we both use Sea-To-Summit Comfort Light (non-insulated), and we want something that provides insulation and maximum comfort, within a weight and volume compatible with our use.
After much research, the Neoloft seems to be the new gold standard in terms of comfort and weight/volume. The Neoair Topo Luxe is tempting due to its 4-inch thickness and the high discounts it currently offers. The Trail Pro Max has excellent reviews in terms of comfort and durability, and is available at more affordable prices, but its volume could be a problem.
The idea is to use both connected with a sheet or something similar and use a quilt or sleeping bag for two people.
We didn't consider double sleeping pads because there are few options and they seem excessively expensive.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Hi 1Screw2Few,
Thanks for your opinion. When you mention that the "NeoLoft" is much more comfortable, is that due to the type of exterior material, noise? Considering that the difference in thickness isn't very significant.
We started with a self-inflating mattress that was 1 inch thick, then moved on to the current Sea-to-Summit mattresses that are 2 inches thick and 20 inches wide, but we never slept comfortably. So now, if we invest, it has to be something comfortable that gives us a good night's sleep.
Weight, particularly for motorcycle touring, isn't the most important factor, volume should be limited, but above all, comfort for both is paramount.
I love my sea to summit comfort lite. Can't comment on the exped but just wanted to mention how I love the quality of the one I have. I have a few other things from sea to summit as well
I’ve been using the Sea-to-Summit Comfort Light for about eight years and it’s by far the best I’ve used in 40 years of backpacking and wilderness canoeing. Other pads were hard on my lower back problems unless I used like a 4” thick version that was suitable only for car camping. The multiple cells support your body as you shift into different positions through the night and they are semi-randomly oriented, not straight lines like OP describes in their current pad.
I just bought a used Sea to Summit of Poshmark for $25. Had a small leak that was easy to fix. Just set it up in the house and seems really comfortable. Packs up small
I used a Therm-a-rest in 1994 and, more than 30 years later, I don't see any reason to choose something else. I stopped using those for backpacking trips in favor of ultralight inflatable sleeping pads (which you DO NOT inflate with an electronic pump) because they are so much lighter, but for something like drum corps where you are using it every day and you aren't carrying it in a pack up a mountain, it's Therm-a-rest (or similar self-inflating pad from many other brands, e.g. Sea to Summit) all the way. They are more comfortable than a close-cell foam pad, still lightweight, relatively durable, and you won't have to be screwing around with a pump when you just want to be sleeping after a 3 AM bus arrival.
Top Sleeping Pads on Reddit
1
Exped
MegaMat Series
92% positive of 454 users
Car camping comfort champ, but some side sleepers find it thin.
Im_the_dude_
