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Wow the last post about sleeping pads took me back to 2002 and some people I have never seen before. I am just wondering besides all of you hammock campers what everyone likes to use I am debating betweeen an Anges air core or a therm a rest trail lite pad anybody have experience with either. I have been using a thermarest base camp size lg pad for years now and at 3 lbs 8 oz I could use a lighter pad. Backpacker Mag seems to like the Big Agnes more what are your thoughts?

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core for me.

i'm with big_load. i just got my big agnes (which replaced an ancient thermarest) for christmas and i already don't know what i ever did without it.

I popped a friend's therm-a-rest trail lite pad that I stol... er borrowed. He's popped another since.
I just gave up on air and got their Ridge Rest: http://www.hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=157105
Not much support, but keeps me off the ground

I have an Exped Downmat 7 and sleep very comfortably. It's 2.8 inches thick, insulated with down, and the short weighs 23.5 oz. I use the pad of my backpack beneath my lower legs to make up for the length.

supai wrote:all of you hammock campers

haha! theres only about 6 of us.

im considering the purchase of a NeoAir. I may have to go to ground 1 or 2 times out of 30, but that pad is uber light and the only thing i'd sleep on besides the hamrock. I think its 13=14 oz for the regular size.

@skatchkins they must not make them as good anymore
My oldest piece of equipment is a Therm-a-rest, maybe 12-14 years old.

I have the REI Trekker 1.75 sleeping pad. I like it, but its too big. I have been looking around for a replacement but I haven't been able to decide which. Kooka Bay has a down filled sleeping pad that looks pretty nice.

allanalxndr wrote:Kooka Bay has a down filled sleeping pad that looks pretty nice.

I've heard good things about those. If I did serious cold-weather (below 10F or so), I'd surely start with something like that or the Downmat 7, perhaps with a denser foam pad underneath.

I use a Trail Lite. Besides being only an inch thick, its not too bad. I have been looking at the Neos. A little spendy, but I look at it like... sleep is very inportant, so spend the money on comfort. Some day when I can save up enough from my allowance, I will get one.

big_load wrote: perhaps with a denser foam pad underneath.

what gives you the idea that foam is less smart than goose down?

te-wa wrote:what gives you the idea that foam is less smart than goose down?

Because it's easier to catch.

I bought a Neo Air Thermarest recently. What I didn't buy was enough time to go backpacking this spring. Haven't tried it yet. Sure is smaller and lighter than the old thermarest. I got the smaller version, and it really packs down small.

My old thermarest has a very slow leak. I found out you can send them back for repairs. So, I'm going to do that so I can give it to my daughter.

te-wa wrote:

supai wrote:all of you hammock campers

im considering the purchase of a NeoAir. I may have to go to ground 1 or 2 times out of 30, but that pad is uber light and the only thing i'd sleep on besides the hamrock. I think its 13=14 oz for the regular size.

You should have tried mine out Saturday...My NeoAir regular (20x72") weighs in at 13.5oz and the size small stuff sack is 0.3oz. I like the stuff sack 'cause it protects the pad from abrasion inside my pack, like a water bottle rubbing against it for 15 miles.


Anyway, my vote is for the Big Agnes Insulated Aircore (the brown one). Way more comfortable than the NeoAir. Better insulation too. The 72" mummy comes in at 21.0 oz. I'd say the Neo Air is only good to about 35 degrees.

I've used my Neoair pretty exclusively for about a year now. Finally punctured it and did a self repair, will see how it holds up. Can't beat it for light and small packing. In summer I use a daypack for most of my 2-3 day backpacks now between it and the WM summerlite bag I have and a bivy. Older now I appreciate lighter weight especially if off trail. And it is quite comfortable for the side sleeping, no ground contact for hips and shoulders.

I got the smaller Neo Air, 20 x 47 inches. It weighs 9 oz.

I switched from 3/4 Thermarest to TorsoLite. Didn't notice a big difference in comfort and the weight and bulk are much reduced.

Big Agnes

I just switched from a Thermarest guide light to a neo air last summer and I like it alot. Packs down small and is very light, plus it is the most comfortable pad I have slept on to date.

Thanks for the replies everyone I did some more research last night I think I am going with the Big agnes insulated air core. Can anybody say Rei dividend time viewtopic.php?f=28&t=6058#