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Post by bluefish on Sept 2, 2021 4:50:15 GMT -8
In order of comfort: 1. Exped synmat 10 duo car camping only, guests if we really like them, better than our spare room's Serta pillow top. 2. We both use Thermarest x lites, reg. and female . Winter we use Reflectix under them. My wife's was replaced by OR after its first 2 years, it's been 5 or 6 since. 3. Thermarest self inflating camp rest? I've had it 25 years. It was the car camping and winter pad for 20 years. 4. Thermarest self inflator with metal valve. I lived on this pad for a year, let alone hundreds of nights otherwise. Bought circa '77, it finally has decided enough is enough. The perimeter seam has more frayed fringe than a hippie jacket. 5. Collection of various and sundry CC foam. Sit pads, car repair, buffer for moving cabinets. My back says, " why not just sleep in the dirt and get it over with?"
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Sept 2, 2021 5:10:19 GMT -8
Ultralight: BA Air Core (or nothing)
Summer; mild Spring/Fall: BA Air Core
Winter; cold Spring/Fall: BA Air Core Rollup Closed Cell Pad (Walmart special)
Car Camping: Coleman air bed
Basically the BA is for comfort, rather than insulation, although it does provide plenty (as long as it doesn't puncture).
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Post by bradmacmt on Sept 2, 2021 5:55:14 GMT -8
What is the comfort and R value of a Neo-Air when it has a leak? There are a variety of Neoair pads with a variety of R values... which model are you thinking of?
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 2, 2021 6:50:39 GMT -8
What is the comfort and R value of a Neo-Air when it has a leak? Mine got a cactus puncture on the trail. It was still usable for the three more days I was out, I just had to add air once or twice during the night. I've found it no more of a problem (and no more delicate) than the much heavier and more leak-prone BA pad it replaced.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 2, 2021 7:00:32 GMT -8
What is the comfort and R value of a Neo-Air when it has a leak? There are a variety of Neoair pads with a variety of R values... which model are you thinking of? I was just making a comment about the frequency of leaks noted for the NA's. I'd hate to be in the backcountry with a pad that won't stay inflated.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 2, 2021 8:30:37 GMT -8
What is the comfort and R value of a Neo-Air when it has a leak? From what I've read in this thread, I wouldn't risk bringing it backpacking. If you have to carry a foam pad as backup, there goes your weight savings. I don’t carry a backup. I do carry a repair kit. I’ve never had a pad leak so badly I couldn’t sleep on it at all—though one night on this recent trip I had to blow it up every hour or two. I was car camping, and there was another pad in the car (the backpacking pad), so you know where I decided the trade-offs were. I simply can’t sleep even on my old 2” self-inflating pad. So not only does it weigh a lot more, but I still don’t have the padding I need for my troubled hips. I do miss being 20 and able to sleep on blue foam. Though I noticed my ability to do so disappeared fast as I gained the ability to buy a better pad…
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 2, 2021 8:42:06 GMT -8
There are a variety of Neoair pads with a variety of R values... which model are you thinking of? I was just making a comment about the frequency of leaks noted for the NA's. I'd hate to be in the backcountry with a pad that won't stay inflated. I had a lot more leaks per night out with BA pads than my NeoAir. I even went through multiple BAs because they tended to develop non-repairable leaks at the valve.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 2, 2021 9:03:53 GMT -8
Well, here's hoping my Exped Synmat UL 9 doesn't leak on my upcoming trip to Wyoming. I do carry a repair kit, which I never needed during years of use with my old Exped Downmat 9. I bought it primarily for thickness, because I need a good concavity for my glutes to keep my back aligned.
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Post by bobcat1 on Sept 2, 2021 11:15:15 GMT -8
Exped Downmat 7 LW is my first choice for car/canoe/kayak trips, with a Non-ridged Ridgerest z-fold pad that I think might have been a test-market Because I’ve never seen it anywhere else than that one time at Thrifty Outfitters in Minneapolis. I am a very cold sleeper and I often use cushy-pad-on-ccf even in summer.
Ultralight choice is a neo-air xtherm, used for backpacking. Also have an Exped synmat7 I use sometimes, and a couple of cushy wide and long Thermarests I use for car camp and guest beds. I have recently started using a (gasp) cot to soften things for my hips and back. Works great with either a Thermarest Basecamp, or the Exped Downmat on top of it.
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Post by dayhiker on Sept 2, 2021 13:14:44 GMT -8
I use a foam pad, 2 in winter. I have a ridgerest , but it is hard to wipe dry so I would not get another.
I have a very old BA, used once kayaking the rogue river (all of my stuff in whitewater boat!). I used maybe once after, it leaks now, so . . .
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panatomicx
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Post by panatomicx on Sept 2, 2021 16:18:06 GMT -8
Exped Synmat UL 7. On my second, my first one blew a baffle after 10 years. I also worry about a leak in the backcountry, but I’m careful with it, and it’s really so comfortable. Winter it’s that plus a Thermarest Z-Lite
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2021 3:26:27 GMT -8
I have an original neoair that is a complete pain to inflate that is comfortable but I never use. Been using a pro lite 4 for at least 15 years with no problem. Just got x therm max this past winter. Only used once but it seems much easier to inflate than older neoair.
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Post by bradmacmt on Sept 6, 2021 10:28:32 GMT -8
I was just making a comment about the frequency of leaks noted for the NA's. I'd hate to be in the backcountry with a pad that won't stay inflated. We have 5 Neoairs at our house, two of which are the originals going back 12 years. Never a leak, all going strong. I carry a patch kit, but have never needed it.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 6, 2021 11:16:35 GMT -8
We have 5 Neoairs at our house, two of which are the originals going back 12 years. Never a leak, all going strong. I carry a patch kit, but have never needed it. Just goes to show that the plural of anecdote is not data. The real test would be the number of leaks per bag nights across thousands of users compared to other models in the same class. I have no idea how the Neoairs would score so apparently I was just blowing smoke into a mattress, not really seeing if any fumes leaked out.
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Post by cweston on Sept 6, 2021 11:21:22 GMT -8
My goto for 3-season these days is the Sea-to-Summit ultralight insulated. Light, seems decently durable, keeps me comfy nights down to about 30 F.
(With a 20-degree quilt. I'm sure I'd be fine, if not actually comfortable, colder than 30 with that setup.)
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