driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,976
|
Post by driftwoody on Sept 12, 2021 4:06:31 GMT -8
ErnieW, there's a learning curve with the setup, but you'll get the "hang" of it. I've always been a back sleeper, and the hammock has been much better for my back. For tenting I progressively needed thicker pads, or I'd wake up with a stiff back.
|
|
ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,880
|
Post by ErnieW on Sept 12, 2021 7:06:34 GMT -8
It has been very interesting going to the hammock. An under quilt is almost necessary over a pad. It lets the hammock fabric do its thing and wrap more comfortably to you. So my last night out with the new under quilt and my mind/body learning that comfy on almost my side is sleep triggering now has me sold on the hammock.
Another interesting thing to learn is site selection. From tent camping for so long I have developed a pretty good eye for finding a site that is relatively smooth and flat and also importantly to look for the signs that that flat spot isn't flat because it is a puddle when it rains (usually fine silt is a give away). You can wake up to a surprise with overnight rain. I imagine when in the desert finding a spot without things that will poke your tent and mat can be a challenge.
From the hammock I am still learning to eyeball the distance between trees for good set up. Also finding a spot with little undergrowth is important. One of my nights out, there was a small twig slightly scrapping the hammock as it swung a little. It wasn't going to hurt the hammock I think but the noise really bothered me. Trees too close is a no go but I have also learned that too far apart, although the straps reach, means they have to be set on the trees higher than I can reach.
|
|
|
Post by FarOutFarley on Oct 2, 2021 16:27:11 GMT -8
Quote Jazzmom: "For car camping/boating/etc., I love, love, love my Exped Synmat 3D-7."
Totally agree. I've slept on a 3D-7 every night for about 3 years on my bed at home, plus car and kayak camping. Very, very comfortable. (Why on the bed at home? Because I'm no longer willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a bed mattress that's going to last about a year and then the foam compacts. Last time I bought a cheap bed mattress and put the 3D-7 on top. No box spring needed.))
|
|
driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,976
|
Post by driftwoody on Oct 3, 2021 4:18:44 GMT -8
Exped has excellent customer service. Years after warranty the deflate valve on my Downmat 9 clogged with down. It couldn't be repaired so they gave me several choices of demos/2nds for free. The Synmat UL 9 I chose was a very good pad until the 5th night of use. One of the baffles blew an internal seam, creating one large baffle where two had been. I sent them a pic and they gave me a choice of 50% off on any new pad or another demo/2nd for free. None of the 2nds were appealing this time so I went with 50% off on a Synmat HL Winter Medium Wide, and am waiting for delivery. They let me keep the pad with the blown baffle, which is still functional though the unevenness of the large baffle is noticeable.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,667
|
Post by rebeccad on Oct 3, 2021 7:35:14 GMT -8
I just bought a new car-camping pad: a Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated, extra wide (but regular length, because 70 inches is quite a bit longer than I am). So far my son and I have each used it a few nights on one floor or another, and it is very comfortable, without being excessively bulky (somewhere a bit over “loaf of bread” but smaller than a breadbox?). Price was reasonable, I guess? It’s definitely warm, and has horizontal baffles which I think are more comfortable than vertical. Feels very sturdy (thus the 2lb weight).
I wouldn’t backpack with it, but my son might :D
|
|
|
Post by georgeofthej on Oct 3, 2021 12:51:54 GMT -8
I just bought my first inflatable pad and used it on an overnight trip last weekend. It's a Thermarest Topo Lux, 25" X 77", rectangular. It's heavy at almost 2 pounds, but it's very comfortable. It's 4" thick.
Before, I was using a closed cell foam, or two closed cell foam pads in cold weather. I'm a side sleeper and would have to roll over every few minutes with the CCF because my arms would fall asleep. That did not happen at all with the new Topo Lux. Another problem I have is lower back pain, which even hurts at home in bed. I had zero back pain with the Topo Lux, and I was laying on it for over 10 hours (reading for a while before sleeping). I might even use it at home on the floor if my back hurts too much in bed.
The main drawbacks are the weight and bulk. Another drawback is it took me a long time to inflate, and my back hurt a little while using the pump sack. But I figure I'll get better at inflating it and it will be a non-issue.
|
|
driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,976
|
Post by driftwoody on Oct 3, 2021 13:06:07 GMT -8
Sleeping comfort is very important, and well worth some extra weight if that's what it takes.
|
|
rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,667
|
Post by rebeccad on Oct 3, 2021 18:23:07 GMT -8
georgeofthej, you can get a pretty good result for a lot less weight with the NeoAir. Even the extra large would be lighter, and though a little less insulated and only 3" instead of 4 gives this side sleeper all the needed padding
|
|
|
Post by georgeofthej on Oct 4, 2021 18:13:09 GMT -8
Thanks Rebecca, I might switch over to one of those in the future. The Topo Lux pad is actually a little larger than I need and I don't think I really need its rectangular shape. But being my first inflatable pad and buying online, sight unseen, I erred on the side of overkill. I just spent $200 on it, so I feel like I should use it a few times. But I could relegate it to car camping and it would be good for that. I'm glad to hear your NeoAir works good for side sleeping.
|
|
driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,976
|
Post by driftwoody on Oct 5, 2021 2:42:20 GMT -8
georgeofthej, if you get the NeoAir you might still backpack with the Luxe in colder weather.
|
|
ErnieW
Trail Wise!
I want to backpack
Posts: 9,880
|
Post by ErnieW on Oct 5, 2021 3:45:43 GMT -8
I still have been using older Thermarest self inflatables. I am a side sleeper. Two things why I haven't upgraded to a lighter more modern pad: price and reported noise. Isn't the Neo crinkly?
|
|
|
Post by trinity on Oct 5, 2021 4:41:58 GMT -8
A lot of people think so, but I have never noticed it at all. Non-issue, for me. There are always tradeoffs, of course, but the upgrade in comfort and weight savings of an X-lite over an old self-inflateable is huge. There are pads on the market, such as the Nemo Tensor, that are a lot quieter than the Neo-airs. But for weight, comfort, and warmth, the Neo-airs are hard to beat.
|
|
|
Post by bradmacmt on Oct 5, 2021 4:46:34 GMT -8
A lot of people think so, but I have never noticed it at all. Non-issue, for me. There are always tradeoffs, of course, but the upgrade in comfort and weight savings of an X-lite over an old self-inflateable is huge. There are pads on the market, such as the Nemo Tensor, that are a lot quieter than the Neo-airs. But for weight, comfort, and warmth, the Neo-airs are hard to beat. This.
|
|
driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,976
|
Post by driftwoody on Oct 5, 2021 5:57:48 GMT -8
I almost went with the Nemo Tensor, but the reviews had a disproportionate number of complaints about leaks compared to other lightweight air pads.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Oct 5, 2021 6:02:13 GMT -8
The Sea-to-Summit ultralight insulated is said to be a little less krinkly than the NeoAir. It's possibly a slightly lower-quality build, all things considered, but it also costs less, so...
I'm easily awakened by noises at night, so I chose the STS mostly on that basis. I have two, and both have done well.
|
|