Been out of the game and off the site for a few years (well, actually - quite a few years). Looking to pick your learned brains on sleeping pads/mats - they seem to have evolved quite a bit since I last hit the trails.

Looking at the usual - how small does it pack, how light is it, how easy to inflate/deflate, durability, etc etc etc.

Thank in advance......

This is an updated version of what I have.
I paid much less but that was 10 yrs ago.
Easy to inflate/deflate. I open valve while I'm laying on it to deflate, then close valve and roll to deflate as usual.
  If you have decent lung power it inflates easily, no need for a pump.

  A good night's sleep makes a big difference. I would sacrifice some extra weight for that.
They make a woman's model that is a little bit shorter BUT it only comes in the 20" wide model.

  I have the men's large which is 25" wide. That extra width makes a big difference is you turn side to side as you sleep.
  I take a camp pillow too. The pad is a pain to fold just right to get into its stuff sack. I don't do that.
I fold it in half the long way and then roll it up and put it in a small COMPRESSION stuff sack along with my camp pillow. Much easier/quicker that way.

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K63,

You can't put a price on a good night's sleep.  Especially in the back country.  My go to is a Big Agnes Q Core Insulated 25x72x4.25.  Still packs down to about the size of a 1L bottle and pretty light.  BA has a rep for great gear for a good reason.  Check out their pads at (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) and you'll see they have a LOT of options to get you what you need. They even make a pad now that's 40" wide! Talk about luxury.  I agree with Solus on the hips thing and as a side sleeper, nice to have that thick pad.  Bonus - all new pads come with an inflation bag to save a few breaths and keep moisture out of your pad. 

I z-fold my pad like it comes from the manufacturer.  They do that for a reason.  I lent one out once and the person folded it in thirds length-wise then rolled it bottom to top...ended up forcing all the insulation to the top of the pad and ruining it.  For trips, I have a 13L dry bag for my sleep kit.  I drop the folded and rolled pad inside, then 'reverse roll' the pad to open the center and now the pad is on the wall of the dry bag.  I stuff my down sleeping bag into the center of it and smoosh it down so there is room for the BA AXL air pillow, inflation bag, and my sleep clothes.  This puts all sleep gear in one spot, waterproofs it and you loose the bag and pad stuff sacks for even less gear. 

pd

Cool stuff ST.  I line the inside of my GG#4 pack, bottom and sides with a closed cell pad (old GI issue....) for my two 30L barrels to protect them as well and more importantly, my back. It also gives the pack some structure, making it easier to insert/remove the barrels at camp. The bottom pad helps keep the hard barrel edges/bottoms from creating circular wear spots in the pack material.  Last year I switched to CCS single barrel packs...much lighter to carry that two 30's... and pad the bottom on those as well. 

pd

portage dog wrote on May 22^nd, 2020 at 2:35pm:


That must be the blue pack you sometimes would carry resting on the top of your pack on your back.  I swear you are a reincarnated Voyageur. You need to get a pipe and a red cap and learn the songs.