Great summary!
FWIW my (particularly specific) alternate take on sizing is: having a Neoair Xtherm revolutionized my experience on the trail thanks to a proper nights sleep (including on snow) - HOWEVER my first one was standard width, and my brain never fully shook the underlaying feeling that I was about to roll off (obligate side sleeper, so always a degree of instability). I did use my pack to my back to help ease this, but very suboptimal, especially in a small or shared tent. Getting the wide version was the final peg in giving me a warm stress free sleep - the increased weight was negligible for me in this case. Of course everyone’s mileage will vary wildly, but sometimes it’s the myriad little things that make the difference - I always recommend trying to find a friend or rental you can try your top 2-3 options in the field before sinking the dough :)
The neoair nxt xtherm or xlite? If it’s not the xtherm or xtherm max 100% dead. If it is probably dead. You are at the max of that system with little wind protection. Best case scenario you are very cold all night. If the temps drop 5-10° below which is possible in the mountains then you are putting yourself in a lot of danger.
I understand that a cross-section of ultralight, warm and comfortable is asking a lot, especially with 3 terms with subjectivity and openness to interpretation, so I am willing to stretch my requirement of "ultralight", within reason. I backpack in the Northeast (Adirondack high peaks, Catskills, etc.) and generally sleep colder than average. I am warm on a Reg Wide X-therm MAX, but wake up sore. I am comfortable on many other pads in the weight range of this pad, but am cold on all I've tried below freezing. Are there any pads that strike the balance like the X-therm, but are a bit more forgiving with comfort?
The problem I have had in my search, is that R-value is basically useless for sleeping pads. I tried the Neoloft and was cold at 45F, and I tend to camp as low as 15-20F on occasion (down to -10C). Apparently this is due to convective heat loss and the side walls basically hemorrhaging body heat, which isn't really captured by current R-value testing. It appears many other manufacturers are exploiting this gap in R value testing and releasing pads with no way to mitigate sidewall heat loss, just to get that shiny R value number at the lowest weight without regard for real world warmth. I tried the Nemo Eclipse, no outer insulation. I tried the Exped 6.5R since I saw on reddit that an Exped rep said the insulation extends to outer baffles. Intentionally misleading, yes it "reaches" outer baffles, but doesn't extend to the edge of the pad and sleeps cold. I haven't tried the tensor extreme conditions yet, but have heard it has a similar issue. Big Agnes Campmeister is intriguing, but I haven't seen much on it, and it is quite heavy (but I'll deal if it is the only option).
So what is the deal, do I just embrace the soreness and hold the X-therm? Anyone have any suggestions for alternative pads I may not be thinking of? Thanks!
I have a Kuiu peleton 97 quarter zip top, 32degrees bottoms (I dunno the details, they were at costco and weigh about 100g). I also bring 3 puffy layers for camp (zpacks goose down jacket, EE torrid jacket (no hood), and EE torrid pants).
Freezing or above: Rockfront Pro 350 quilt system, stuff the integrated pillow case with StS air seat and whatever puffy layers I am not wearing (usually down jacket and puffy pants)
Below Freezing: Katabatic gear Sawatch (15 degree)
I also bring a sub-3oz gossamer gear thinlight pad to go underneath pad, to protect the pad from punctures
BortEdwards
