NeoAir XLite (OG Version w Classic Valve)
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That pad you linked does have almost identical specs to the 5R. Sometimes looks can be deceiving though. I've used an older Thermarest Xlite for a while as well as a Paria Recharge XL. The horizontal baffles aren't bad, but I've found the vertical baffles to kinda cradle you in the sleeping pad a little more. So I'm less prone to wake up half in the floor in the middle of the night.
I have the old neoair xlite, not my favorite but I hear the new one is a lot better. However, since you said you’re pretty new and the quarter pound difference in weight isn’t a concern, I’d go for the one people say is more comfortable, the tensor. I can’t imagine you’ll regret it, though on this sub you’re always going to get the recommendation to go with the lightest option
Seems to be a personal preference thing. I inflate my XLite (old model) fairly hard.
I sleep very comfortably on my XLite (old model). I would rate my husband's Nemo Tensor Insulated slightly more comfortable than the XLite, but the difference is not much. If I want to sleep as comfortably as possible, I switch to a hammock. I have never found any ground system as comfortable as a properly hung and adjusted 11 ft hammock.
Totally agree. I sleep comfortably on it and don't notice the noise any more.
ccf pad cut down to size for the doggo, and an inflatable pad (xlite or tensor) for you next to it -- or get used to sleeping on ccf pads too if that wouldn't be good enough and she couldn't be taught to accept it
Would save almost no weight, probably about an ounce, and for most people would be considerably less comfortable. I would prefer a 2.25" inflatable xlite though just because I'm sub 150lbs and a stomach sleeper, but anyone bigger or a side sleeper would likely hate that pad.
The current pad I use is an older 25" xlite that was chopped just below my knees and re-welded. It's my favorite, being 2.5" tall. The crinkling does annoy me and wake me up out of my sleep sometimes though.
Xlite large user-2.5" version. My hands only go numb when they fall off the pad, not side sleeping. I keep it inflated pretty hard. I never bottom out either. My hands did go numb, while sleeping on my back, before I went to a wide pad. 170lbs/77.1kg FWIW.
We have therma rest inflatable backpacking mattresses (neoair and my 10+ year old pre-neo pad) , that we take car camping aswell. I often lay out more blankets on top, especially if we have my 4yo stepson with us. 3 pads, 2-3 layers of comfy blankets and then we can basically use sleaping bags as top covers, or individually, or whatever we feel like.. It might help though that while we cuddle/snuggle a lot, we don't generally touch each other that much while actually sleeping due to overheating. I can tolerate it more though, so I get stuck with kiddo near me haha.
We have therma rest inflatable backpacking mattresses (neoair and my 10+ year old pre-neo pad) , that we take car camping aswell. I often lay out more blankets on top, especially if we have my 4yo stepson with us. 3 pads, 2-3 layers of comfy blankets and then we can basically use sleaping bags as top covers, or individually, or whatever we feel like.. It might help though that while we cuddle/snuggle a lot, we don't generally touch each other that much while actually sleeping due to overheating. I can tolerate it more though, so I get stuck with kiddo near me haha.
How cold is it going to be? I have a thermarest neoair (a couple versions as purchased over the last 10 years) and previously only used the Coleman mats like you have there. I find the inflatable pads far more comfortable. My suggestion would be to find an inflatable pad in "wide" and there are varying insulation levels (R value). It won't me AS tiny as the klymit but much smaller than the Coleman. About nalgene size . Thermarest, big Agnes and a bunch of other brands make them in wide.
I’ve slept on a regular (non women’s) Xlite on relatively warm ground but at temps in the upper teens for two nights. Had a 20 degree quilt and a puffy on. Didn’t really feel like I was cold on my back side or anything. I’d think I could certainly do it again and be warmer on the women’s version. Also I think gender matters here, I am a dude and I think there’s science that says men sleep warmer than women so ymmv if you are the fairer sex.
I’m a side sleeper who tosses around a lot. I use a plain old thermarest Xlite, regular size, and I inflate a 6L seatosummit water bag for my pillow. My quilts have little keeper straps/clips, and I have a little piece of cord to lash my pillow. Combined weight is 17.5oz I think. I sleep really well out there.
I started out with a wide rectangular pad (Nemo Tensor Insulated at 540gr), before realizing I slept just as well on a regular mummy pad (Thermarest Neoair X-Lite at 380gr) or even a torso length pad (X-Lite at 205gr). Too often people (including myself initially) think they need a wide rectangular pad for whatever reason.
>For people that move when they sleep, I’ll take all the width I can get And yet, for what it’s worth, it’s this kind of statement that leads many to get a wide pad even if they don’t really need it 😉 I frequently switch sides and yet found I can do this just as well on a regular (short) mummy pad. If you wanna drop your pack weight, you’ve simply got to try things out.
I have used the Tensor Insulated RW (predecessor of the All Season) and (older generation) X-Lite mummy extensively, and I sleep equally well on both. Therefore, I prefer the X-Lite for it’s lower weight.
I hate my NeoAir, I don’t find ThermaRest pads comfortable at all. I’d take a CCF over a Thermarest. For trips where I want an inflatable over a CCF, I just got a Nemo Tensor since they’re on sale at REI (25% off). At least in store, it felt a lot better than my NeoAir or CCF.
Seems like a great all around option. A little heavier than I would like on because I need a long/wide, but I sleep like shit on the NeoAir. I wake up multiple times every night off the pad, slide around, bottom out and my body hurts in the morning. The CCF pad I have is better, but also not warm enough a lot of the time.
You literally said people in this thread are trying to defend existing purchases, so you’re kind of telling people to buy a new pad. It’s just not a worthwhile upgrade for me when I have a Tensor, Switchback and X-Lite. I don’t need a 4th sleeping pad at home on the shelf lol