Jump to content

Sleeping pads? Neo, Exped, ect.


chris54

Recommended Posts

Its time to replace the thermarest trail lite sleeping pad I own. Thinking of going to a Neo air style or an Exped. They look much more comfortable but less durable.

Any thoughts?

 

Pro or cons to these pads.

Edited by chris54
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 16
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

I've never tried the Exped, but I did try a Neo Air in the store once. I didn't find it comfortable at all after lying on it for a good 5-10 minutes.

 

It seemed the same to me as a regular thermarest, so I just bought a cheap one instead of shelling out the big bucks for a Neo Air.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have the regular Neo Air and have been using it for about two years. I've really like it so far. I use it for pretty much all my overnight climbing trips. I've used it on snow and it seems to be reasonable warm. I'm a side sleeper, and its been really nice to have it when sleeping on rocks. It's really comfortable. It won't be as warm as an Exped, but its not bad. I was concerned about the durability when I first got it, but mine has held up. If you're careful not to put it next to anything sharp in your pack and avoid pointy rocks, I don't see it being a problem. Get the little patch kit for it, as I've seen this work for people that have had leaks. Worst case you spend a night sleeping on a rope if you can't repair a leak.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Find the Exped Downmat 9 positively luxurious..warm and comfortable in winter and great for warmer temps as well. I haven't seen any durability issues with it.

 

I have the original model where you used the stuff bag to inflate the pad, then the sack doubles as a pillow. It's a huge pain in the ass to inflate with the sack so I just bring a stability ball pump to inflate it, I don't even bother to bring the supplied stuff sack. Partner of mine has the newer model and the built in pump works much better and is relatively quick.

 

It's a fairly bulky and heavy pad, but if you want more comfort you have to expect to pay for it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I picked up the Neo Air All Season a few weeks ago and have been impressed with it so far. 19 oz for a regular, with an R value of 4.9 and beefier 75d fabric to resist punctures. The new Neo Airs also have a great non-slip coating on them that's a huge improvement from previous years.

 

I slept well on mine at home a few nights, will test it out on the snow this weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just picked up an Exped Synmat UL7. I think it's 16oz with patch kit in the full size 20 x 72 x 2.8, with an R value of 3.1. Half the weight of my old thermarest, and twice the thickness. Slept on it for a week in Vegas, very comfortable!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A partner discovered a leak in his Exped down mat on day 1 of a 6 day trip in early season North Cascades. He was bumming. I'm a fan of the evazote foam pads (yellow or gray, not blue). On the comfort scale it's not too cush, but it's light, a good insulator, and will never deflate. For extended trips on snow I pair it with a Thermarest Prolite 3.

 

I used to be a RidgeRest fan, but once I started camping on snow I discovered that all the surface topography of that design works great for catching snow. Then you wind up sleeping on top of a bunch of little puddles. Same with Z-Rest. The yellow foam pad doesn't have this issue since it's totally flat. You can just brush any snow or wipe any liquid off that lands on your pad.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have one of the first gen neoair pads and I like it a lot. Has held up for 2 years and probably 75+ nights without any leak issues. I'll throw my bivy pad from my pack under it if it's really cold out. Best space/warmth/weight combination I found out there.

 

If one of these does start to leak, a bit of seam grip and you're good to go. I've bought two neoair pads from the REI garage sale for $10, fixed them with seam grip, and gifted them to friends to use. The deal was too good to pass up and a good way to do it on the cheap.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just picked up an Exped Synmat UL7. I think it's 16oz with patch kit in the full size 20 x 72 x 2.8, with an R value of 3.1. Half the weight of my old thermarest, and twice the thickness. Slept on it for a week in Vegas, very comfortable!
r

 

Another vote for the Exped Synmat UL7 if I'm carrying an inflatable pad. I couldn't stand sleeping on the NeoAirs; the sound drove me nuts. The UL7 is super comfortable and quiet. In winter I add a ridgerest or a hardman pad.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

The sound from the neoair is annoying, but the neoair is the only pad I can sleep through the night on. I had an exped for years and have used most of the others (big agnes, thermarests of all sorts, etc) as well. The problem I had with the exped was that the baffles run lengthwise. I'm a side sleeper and even with the pad inflated tight, my hip would hit the ground (as the pad lost pressure from the cold ground at night). I haven't had that problem with the neoair and I think it's because the baffles run widthwise. With that said, I recently punctured my neoair.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




×
×
  • Create New...