Never ending; Tweaking my sleep system….

[OhioHiker]

It never ends I don’t think…. Arrrgghhh. Just when I think its dialed in I try something else and totally changes my thinking.

I’ve always been a 2 pad guy. A foam and air pad. I really like the versatility, lunchtime naps, huge sit pad, gear explosion organizer, fire pit stoker, and backup if the air pad leaks. I side sleep so it seems like the extra thickness is welcome too.

Right now my set up is a 9oz foam yoga mat and a S2S Ether Light XT Insulated Womens Long (21.2oz). I don’t think I want to give up the two pad system but I want to trim some fat.
As a side sleeper I struggled on a xtherm(Info for a base line). I thought I would go thicker; enter EL XT Womens, 4” thick!! It’s comfy. But heavy.
I recently bought a new Exped foam pad that is 1.5” thick. (R2.2 16oz) If I fold it in half I would be 3”. I am going to give that a try as my only pad.
But in the mean time I was looking at pads. There is a uninsulated (R1.2) Ether Light short (5’6”) 12.3oz! And still 4” thick!
To good to be true??? Any suggestions?
I also worry that a 1.5” foam and a 4” pad would lift me to high in my tent.

[Maineiac64]

Heck out nemo tensor insulated sleeping pads.

[MtDoraDave]

I have tried a few different sleeping pad systems. Initially, I tried a single thermarest ridgerest, and while it provided sufficient insulation, it was uncomfortable; I barely slept.
So I figured if I bought the short version, I could put the second one under my head and torso. Still too firm, I barely slept.
The short one has been cut up into sit pads which I still use on hikes, while the full length one is now a sit-up pad.

Next I bought a Thermarest Prolite Plus. At 1.5" thick, it was way better than using the ccf pads - but I still tossed and turned. Also, I read at night to get to sleep and my elbows weren't supported by the narrow pad.

So next, I bought a Thermarest neoair x-lite. It is a bit of a drag having to inflate it (the previoius was self inflating) and I soon learned not to fully inflate it*, but I toss and turn far less and have had the best sleep yet on it. They are more noisy/ crinkly - but anyone in a shelter who tosses and turns all night makes noise. If people are sensitive to noise, and plan to sleep in a shelter, they use ear plugs - so I can't let the noise my air mattress makes deter me from using it if it allows me to sleep at night. While I'm primarily a back sleeper, when I shift onto my side, I don't hit bottom.
*when I sit up, my butt does indeed hit bottom, but when laying on it with my entire body, I do not hit bottom in any sleep position.
I ordered the wide version so my elbows are both supported and insulated as I read at night. Totally worth the extra few ounces to me. It fits snuggly inside my Tarptent Notch.

The last piece of sleep system I bought was an inflatable pillow by outdoor vitals. One of the best pieces of my sleep system. When on my back I lay it flat, but when I shift to my side, I turn it vertically to support my head better.

I also own a Nemo Switchback ccf pad. I have yet to take it on a trip, but the intent is to bring it on trips that are supposed to be below freezing temps for added insulation and safety (if my inflatable pad goes flat). While I don't think it would be "comfortable" by itself, it does seem to be the most comfortable ccf pad I've lied on.

[OhioHiker]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like I am on a similar upgrade path, except backwards, lol.

I guess I am on the hunt for the best combination of air pad + CCF and still be reasonable, OR most comfortable CCF only.

My next steps are going to be trying ONLY a doubled exped CCF. That makes it 3" thick and little longer than torso length for me. After that I think I am going to try combining a CCF (probably the Exped) with a Uberlite or S2S uninsulated Etherlite

[Furlough]

I too am still on this journey. Although heavy to some folks way of thinking, right now I really like my EXPED SYNMAT Hyperlite MW pad at 1 lb and 72"x25.6" and 2.8" thick. But, no second CCF pad, just a small set upon pad.

[Odd Man Out]

Heck out nemo tensor insulated sleeping pads.

I just got one of these (also a side sleeper) but haven't had a chance to check it out yet. I will also bring a pad for underneath. I'm using an automobile windshield sunscreen from the dollar store. It doesn't really add any Cuisinart Ng, but the silver mylar film may function as a heat reflective. It also works as a waterproof sir pad and tent vestibule floor. Who knows, the shiny surface could also function to signal SAR I am emergency.