I am 62 years old and I’m shocked how expensive camping gear has become. When I was young I shopped at the original REI in Seattle. I usually hit their bargain basement and I’m still using the equipment to this day. Today’s equipment cost more than my first car.
@@mauricio533 Hi Mauricio, Agreed; however I think the items I purchased 30+ years ago that still serve me well are far superior in quality than anything made today. 🙂
I’ve had my “regular” Etherlight XT insulated down to the mid-20s and was just fine. Super comfortable at 4” thick. I love it. No experience with the “extreme”.
I used the Etherlight XT all the way down to -10 sleeping on snow with a foam pad underneath and a 20 degree sleeping bag. had the best sleep I’ve ever had while camping.
Same here. I used the Etherlight XT mummy shape last winter on snow down to 19F and it was awesome, super warm, cosy and I have had a better sleep than in my mattress! Ha. Don't really understand why Dan doesn't like it.
Dan I am new to back packing and I really appreciate your videos and insight. I would say the thing that I appreciate the most and I hope you continue to do is, putting the product information on the screen. It’s nice to not have to click 1000 links trying to figure things out. Keep up the good content.
I sold mine Thermarest Xtherm Max for the reason, that when sleeping on the side, it pushed against my hip so hard, that I was waking up from the pain. I was trying to play with different air pressures with no luck. I am a regular size person, 80kgs. I strongly recommend to try it out before you buy for that particular reason. Definitely not a problem if you are strictly a back sleeper.
I love my Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm, regular. Unlike the one you have, mine is rounded on the ends. It only weighs 15oz with the pump sack, only 13oz without the sack. Can't beat it for a pad with a 6.9 R-value.
Love my Sea To Summit Ether Light XT Small 4''. Kept me warm in -5 Celsius (23 °F ), was compactable, light and quiet. Hiking mostly in Norway and Iceland. No need/ experience with the Ether L XT Extreme.
EXPED DOWNMAT!!Comfortable and warm, does not lose air. It has an R value around 7! So good I brought a spare so I could take a friend Winter backpacking. I live in Alaska,I camp with no heat source down to -30 F. I agree with you for the Sea to Summit Either Extreme IInsulated) LOUD!!!Crackly It was so loud it drown out my tinnitus and let bears know I was in the area. I love the Flextail Lite. I will probably have to check out the Thermarest. When I go lightweight I take the Klymt. Love your channel.
Fully agree with Exped. I have two of them and they're plush and super warm even below freezing. Have slept on Expeds and was warm down to 0 degrees. Have poked a hole in one but they repaired it for FREE!
@@christianwolff780 It does happen, but I've made repairs in the field successfully with Tenacious Tape. You can repair any nylon gear with that stuff. However, Exped's repairs are a better long term repair.
I have the Sea To Summit Ether Light Extreme wide and I have never been cold on it, even in snowy conditions. I find it ultra comfortable also. However, it is really bulky, so is strictly my cold weather pad. I have a Nemo Tensor Insulated 2022 wide for other conditions and love that also.
Hi, I have a question. Will those winter Matts BE too warm for summer temperatures? Like is this something that ca happen.? I expect temperatures between 5-30 degrees. Wi will combine them with a field bed. I am looking for the most comfortable matt.
What I learned from this is that not being a snow-camper gives me a lot more options when it comes to choosing a sleeping pad (& saving money on it!). Another great vid, Dan!
Exactly, camping in tropical places or during the summer gives you much more options for products that will suit you and are light and cheap. I go in the opposite direction from most of the trekking tribe, stay away from cold mountains and love tropical islands with mountains and preserved forests, and in the end you arrive at some surreal paradise beach.
It certainly can be, but if you are willing to compromise a little bit of comfort, it is possible to do it fairly cheap. Personally i have just used a foam pad through my winter outdoors experiences due to budget restrictions, with just R3.5. managed to sleep just fine outside in norwegian temps (-15 to -20 C) with no more protection from the cold than my sleeping bag.
yeah you have to pay a premium to be comfortable while camping in the snow… not to mention people in your life will think you are absolutely insane for purposely going out and staying in a tent in below freezing conditions lol
I use the klymit static v lite and can confirm its an excellent pad on a budget. If you can't drop like 300 bucks on a pad, its definitely worth the money. A comfortable and reliable 3 season pad.
Eh, I tried it out for a while but I hated it. I am a side sleeper though so that might have affected the performance. I ended up going with a thermarest trail scout and it's way warmer and more comfortable even though it's about a third of the thickness of the static v lite
I've used mine down to like 20F with a foam pad under it. It's been great. The baffles allow your sleeping bag insulation to expand a little bit and provide extra warmth.
I think I would opt for the Xtherm. For me, the higher R value combined with the increased durability *plus* the fact that it packs down pretty small is worth a little less comfort. Love Big Agnes though. Maybe the Xtherm underneath Big Agnes... 😆
I just bought the Big Agnes Q-Core Deluxe, it's blue he didn't show it here. But it is super comfortable with a r value of 4.3. It's a lot bigger to pack than my old Static V, but it's way more comfortable to sleep on.
I can confirm the q-core deluxe is super comfortable. I prefer it over my bigger “more comfortable” exped mega mat 10 car camping sleeping pad. I also have the tensor and while it’s not as comfortable it still is great.
@@Staypuff777 I have the Static V for budget reasons. Not warm, not comfortable, but cheap and works well enough for summer. If I had money I would definitely upgrade.
I have found that the deluxe sleeps colder than a 4.3 pad should. What’s the lowest temp you have used it and been ok? Are you a warm sleeper? Do you use a quilt?
Funny, I love my Sea to Summit- comfort is king. I have never been cold on it- but it is bigger than most. If I don’t sleep well everyone around me will pay one way or another! Lol The Exped is so loud you might get kicked out of camp! I get two pads, a winter one (the S2S) that goes in a bigger capacity backpack and a late spring/summer pad so I’m waiting for you, Dan, to make a decision on how my summer is gonna go! No pressure 😳😃
the exped is loud? do you mean Therm-a-rest? i have both the Exped Downmat 9rw and the therm-a-rest uberlite.. and gosh, the uberlite is loud. the exped is silent as a mouse :)
@@MrJacobryborg no, I meant what I said! the exped ultra 3R was a comfortable pad but the noise kept me and my camp mates in surrounding tents awake. Even a slight head turn had that thing squealing, it was really bad!
I’m 290 lbs and a side sleeper. The Big Agnes Q Core SLX allows me to get a good nights sleep, which is pretty impressive. 4” of loft. No loss of volume during the night. My hips and shoulders don’t collapse it
@@highonimmi I never said he wasn't, but in most sports people are worried about saving grams on their equipment and spending thousands to reduce weight of their rigs when they could fix other things instead, I am a bit overweight myself and keep tweaking the suspension on my dirt bikes and mountain bikes when all I have to do lose weight, which is free, that's what I meant.
So! Thanks for the advice Dan I have today (9th November 2022) purchased the Big Agnes Rapide SL for the princely sum of £99 here in the UK. I got the long one so neither my head or feet dangle off the ends. Looking forward to testing it out as the temperature drops. 👍
We are car campers, but aim for the sweet spot between car camping gear and backpacking gear on account of the fact that it's five in my family, in a hatchback. We upgraded to a Big Agnes Air Core Ultra last year and love it. Comfy, keeps us warm, and doesn't take up a ridiculous amount of space.
Would you guys say it’s not worth to update from an exped ultra 3R to a big Agnes or sts xt insulated? I have the exped but i don’t thinks its that comfortable…
I've ended up with Expeds and really like them. Use the pump sack as a bag liner. I also only buy wide, and my R7 mummy is 25oz, R4 mummy is 18 and neither sound like chip bags🙂
I watched your video about your bad experience with Sea2Summit extreme and had commented on what perhaps went wrong... I have it and I was toasty in winter and -15°C. The weight is justified by its performance. Did you try it only once or many times?
I have it too and sleep brutally warm. Didn't slept on it directly into snow but in a high altitude mountain trip it performed awesome. The bulk is my biggest con though.
I just got back from a 2 week hike and took my etherlite xt extreme "regular size" I will never take anything else, sure it's slightly bulky but it's not loud like everyone claims it can be loud only from your sleeping bad rubbing against it but the mat itself it quiet. It's the most comfortable Mat I have had being a side sleeper and I certainly never got cold from underneath. The only disadvantage is the size
Since I already have a very light foam pad, I would go with the Klymit static v. My foam pad is bulky but extremely light and I can actually sleep on it. I tie it onto the bottom of my pack. I'm always insured being insulated with it, and I have a dog, which makes me worried about getting anything else.
I have Sea To Summit Etherlight XT ( you skipped it somehow from this show ) and it's super comfy, well packable (with bikepacking as well) and light sleeping pad. I'm side sleeper and it's a must have one.
I just got to test my new BA Rapide SL last week. What a great pad! I’m 6’2” 270# (bought the long/wide) and I slept very comfortably on it, never slipped off, never lost air. I used a Ridgerest under it to protect it like I have all of my backpacking career with my old Thermarest pads.
are you a side sleeper? im a big guy too and sleep on my side. whats a Ridgerest? im new to camping have been using a cheap pad from Dicks and looking to get a good pad. i wont be sleeping in anything under 30 degrees. thanks
@@heavydpm666 Yeah, I'm a side sleeper. I'm using a Nemo Disco sleeping bag also. It has a spoon shape for more footbox room. Ridgerest is a thin, closed cell foam pad. They are fairly cheap and will protect your expensive pad from the ground. They will also give a little more R value.
I have the Exped Synmat 7. 140$, R-Value of 4.9, weighs 1kg and packs small and is big and comfy. comfort rating until-17C or 0F. really good budget sleeping pad. I might upgrade to the downpad some time down the line. I live in Finland so a high R-Value is preferable most of the year.
I have old Exped DownMat UL 7. I would not recommend Down model, since Inside Down tends to stick together, and would not be scattered evenly inside of tube. So most of part of tube does not have Down, so you will be freeze. You may see how Down sticks together when put strong light back side of mat, and can see the shadow of inside down. I dont know the new Down Model, if Exped change the structure of Air tube, such as put some of partition to prevent Down Stickiness, it will be good, but if the structure is the same, I will not recommend.
Love the size comparison to the water bottle. Some in the military including myself ditch the canteen and use similar bottles. So the comparison has helped with loadout planning. Thanks for the help
I tried a lot of pads. The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated is my favorite. Very comfortable, and packing size isn't that bad. For me it is worth it for the extra comfort after a long day outdoors. Also love the integrated pump sack. Makes inflation super easy.
@@wellseasonedhiker I think they are talking about another model - there is the XT, XT Insulated and XT Extreme. I also got my XT Insulated and it's amazing - comes at 460g and barely bigger than a Nalgene Bottle so MUCH smaller than the Extreme!
I bought the Klymit Static V Recon insulated sleeping pad on eBay factory refurbished for $45, it has an R Value of 4. I love it, it performs great and the price was ridiculously low. It had the same warranty as a brand new one as well.
The Sea to Summit Etherlight XT Insulated is VERY comfortable, packs small & is so thick it is a MUST for side sleepers. Decent R Vakue at 3.2 also. I got the Wide Rectangular version- worth every penny for a good sleep on the ground.
When are you going to review Exped's new mats? I switched out my Nemo Tensor for an Exped Ultra 3R and I have zero regrets. The Exped mat packs a bit larger and isn't as light, but it's waaaay more comfortable and quiet. Totally worth it, especially if you're a side sleeper.
I’m looking at the Klymit Insulated Static V, which has a 4.4 R-value, for $100. The closest comparable one in this video seems to be the Nemo, which, right now on BackCountry, is almost $100 more and has a lower 4.2 R-value. Easy decision, Klymit Insulated V? It seems really hard to beat that price for such a decent R-value. I go out about 3 times a year and never in weather below freezing, if even below 50°.
I wish you had added a rating for noisiness. I feel like I am waking the campsite when I rollover. I have a thermarest neoair which has a load crinkle.
I used my uber lite on snow this spring and stayed warm. It only got down to about 25 degrees and I added a space blanket under it but I was surprised how warm I stayed. I sleep pretty warm, though.
Which pad did you use when you filmed "A Quiet Place"? Cuz some of those pads are quite noisy, like a bag of Sun Chips. I'm looking for a quiet pad, for sure.
Last week I had my Exped mat of 14 years develop a leek, so started looking at alternatives. This video helps a lot but I wondered why you didn't include any newer Exped models. Should I avoid them?
No thermarest Neo-air x-lite on the list? I think it is at the sweet spot of warmth, weight, and durability. The X-therm is also awesome. Nemo Tensor is solid as well.
I bought the big Agnes rapide thanks to your advice and love it! I have used it twice so far. The first weekend was around 70 degrees and the second weekend went down to 37. Very comfortable in both temperatures.
I have the Xtherm Max and it's it warm for sure but not comfortable for side sleeping. I literally pulled the trigger on a Rapide AND a tensor on the REI memorial day sale. Hoping to see which is more comfortable but I had my fingers crossed 🤞 on the Rapide for the side baffles. I'm a hammock camper and I actually kind of like the cradle feel.
Who knew finding a backpacking sleeping pad could be so difficult! I feel ya, Dan. I’m trying to find that unicorn of a sleeping pad that is lightweight, wide enough for a rotisserie sleeper, with the R value to be a 4 season pad.
The Klymit pads are good for side sleepers, I'm a big guy (120kg) and have got on really well with my Insulated Static V Luxe for cooler temperatures, and Static V2 for the warmer months. Best R value is the Insulated Static V Luxe SL at 6.5, it's nice and wide at cm and just about small enough to go in a 1-man tunnel tent, while the standard Static V Luxe definitely is not, that one's 76cm!
My biggest complaint with my Big Agnes Air Core Ultra insulated pad is the CONSTANT squeaking with the floor of my BA Copper Spur tent. It squeaks when I breathe. I have to wrap it in a sleeping bag liner to quiet it down and then it slides all over the tent. Very frustrating. I recently got one of the gossamer gear foam pads which hopefully will quiet it down!
I bought the Klymit mat after watching your review.. after camping with it for a few trips I love it.. I have it paired with an Alpkit Insulation mat too and it works a treat. Camped out on Dartmoor with it with 5 degrees celsius and it worked okay, felt a bit of a chill but it wasn't uncomfortable. Looking forward to using it in the summer
My question is, what temperature range do you consider your seasons to be? I understand you're further north than and our Winters (in Ga) don't often get below the twenties, unless you're in the mountains, whereas our summers are often in the mid 70s for night time. (Edited for poor grammar 😂)
Great comarison and I agree with the verdict. One high end competitor you might want to look at is the Exped deepsleep. Quite thick and packs big but it's very durable, and extreeeemly insulated.
I like your conclusion. I just bought the Big Agnes Rapide whassisname. Great pad but a stupid name. It’s my first good quality pad after decades of roughing it. I’ve only had a few nights on it so far but it really does seem to tick all my boxes.
I‘ve used my Uberlite plenty in below freezing temps. Lowest I got to was -15C (5F) and still felt comfortable. The only thing I don’t like about it is the durability. I‘m on my third mattress, because of delaminating. Luckily all covered under warranty though.
I am trying out the Klymit Static V Insulated Lite. I was disappointed when I saw it had an ASTM R-value of 1.9, not 4.4 like it calls out on the advertising. I really like the ease of set-up but want something that could would keep me warm even below freezing (maybe about 15F?). How much warmth does a foam pad offer if I was to "double-up" for colder nights? And does the extra pad need to have a specific R-value?
Thanks for this video! I own an older x-therm but I had been looking at the sea to summit until I saw this video. I had a BA years ago but it sprung a leak on the first trip.
I have to say it! ever since emit has been on board it seems like your channel has gotten a sarcastic style of comedy that is just great lol. props to him, I'm assuming it has been his ideas.
I have hiked more than 26,000 miles and bicycle toured more than 3 times that distance. The most important consideration, especially in cold weather is will the pad hold air, and is it durable. I have had two thermarest xtherms, both which leaked along inner seams in one to two weeks, the original yellow pad lasts maybe a couple of months. Both are noisy. Cascade Designs used to make great gear, but now it is crap. I had a Nemo which falied and ballooned in the middle after a month, another pos. I've owned both Klymit v and v2. The valve on the first failed within a month. The latter lasted longer, but developed several, repairable slow leaks on interior welds. I had a Sea to Summit that ballooned after about two months. I'm still looking for a durable mat, but I highly recommend a closed cell pad underneath in cold weather because you can't trust an inflatable. And know that R-values are additive, so if one pad is rated at two and you put a pad on top rated at three, the total R-value is five.
Cheers Dan, I upgraded my Nemo Tensor Insulated regular to the Thremorest Xtherm wide/long and Its been the best choice I've made. I gave my old Nemo to my partner to use, she says she doesn't want it now and wants to upgrade to the xtherm after using mine. The extra R value of the xtherm makes a big difference. For my style of sleeping I find the xthrem so much more stable and comfortable. Might not be the same for everyone as we are all different but I would go the Xtherm for the insulating properties alone.
Loving my new Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated (regular wide). Kept me warm on that frost morning in Algonquin. Rolls down to the size of a Nalgene, which is amazing for 25 inches wide and 3.5 inches thick. Great for side sleeping. And super quiet too.
Got the flex tail pump after your recommendation on another video. I want to love it but the first one arrived broken. Amazon replaced it quickly but the replacement still seems wonky. Half the time I push the button, nothing happens. After a couple of pushes, then the pump will turn on. Anyone else have experience with this? Really don’t want to carry it on a trip and have it break halfway through and then just have dead weight.
Dan what was the situation in which the StS sucked that badly? I've been considering that particular pad in recent times and have not heard anything similar. From being a complete hiking bunny in 2017 I did a lot of homework and ended up getting the StS grey, uninsulated dual layer pad. Comfort Plus I think? With either a foam thing or a windscreen sunshade underneath it's been good to well below freezing. Thinner than I'd like, and expensive but I guess that's hiking. I've since bought the red, insulated version also but only my GF has used it. From what I can tell about StS they sound pretty legit and I suspect they'd be horrified to hear your report. The normal insulated version was apparently unconvincing in some reviews and the story I heard is that StS bought out the extreme one as a result. Dunno, but it tests and compares well.
Now that we have taken up winter snowshoe camping, I struggle with which pads to consider. Our first year winter camping I just took our regular 3-season pads (e.g. Thermarest & Klymit) and we FROZE. So now we haul in the bigger heavier pads like the MondoKing 3d. VERY WARM and VERY COMFORTABLE but very heavy. Best for car camping only. So this video is VERY helpful brother.
What do you think of the Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe SL? I am considering getting that one as it has an R-value of 6.5 and under 900g which is pretty impressive. Also the Klymit Insulated Static V Recon has an R-value of 4.4 at 680g. Both seem to be strong competitors to the Thermarest Xtherm Max and the Big Agnes Rapide SL, don't you think? The Klymit ones seem to be cheaper also... (at least here in the UK)
I have the Klymit Static V Recon insulated sleeping pad, got it on eBay factory refurbished for $45. It came with the same warranty as a new one and as for performance, it does pretty good for me. For the price, you can't beat it.
I'd like to ask you to revisit these pads - and also discuss setup and break down. Not only are pack size (packability), price, thermal properties, comfort (obviously) important but how long does it take to break down? I have several "blow up" pads and each differ in how much effort and time it takes to deflate them and get them back into their storage sacks. I have one that takes me a 1/2 hour to pack up & that is not good. So could you please revise this video and add that parameter to the discussion?
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe that the Klymit Static V Insulated runs for $60 and has an R-value of 4.4 and its the normal non-insulated pad that runs for about $35 that has an R-value of 1.9
See, I've had a very different experience with my Etherlite XT Extreme (or whatever order those go in). Yeah, it's a bit bulky, but for a winter pad that's not been a problem fro me (especially once I roll it up into its stuff sack it's actually not too bad). But for me, the main thing is that it alone (without another pad) has worked great down to even negative 20F (coldest I've seen campting since I got it) with the only thing between it and the snow being the bottom of my tent and my groundcover.
I’ve got some thermarest neo air variant it’s like 4” thick, packs down really small and love it. Having the 4” of pad is nice because I can either pump it all the way up or let a little out and I can sink in a bit better. With my Nemo pillow I get great sleep on the trail!
I've been using the xtherm for years and love it! Good choice! I recently switched to the women's neoair for non-winter camping tho because it's lighter and still r-value 5.4!
just watched your video with an eye to buy Dan , and i really do respect your opinions but here`s the thing ...... here in the UK that Big Agnes Rapide is £99 and the Thermarest which i`d dearly love to have is £220 (if you can find one in stock!) . We don`t quite get the minus`s that you do over there but our cold is a damp wet (get into your bones) kinda cold . I`m just glad i watched your video before pressing the buy button on that Sea to summit
I have a simple neoair and could sleep in any temperature down to -30C, love it. It takes too much space though and for normal temp i just bought the uberlight, tested in my house so far and i can feel the difference easily, the neoair reflects the warmth back to my back, the uberlight reflects it only for a minute or so
Just bought a Big Agnes Rapid SL in the 25x72 thanks to your review and I’m super happy. Also had a luxury of camping with Chef Corso in my home state of Missouri! Thanks for the recommendation, bought the tiny pump as well!
Thank you for all your reviews. Planning a 2023 thru hike on AT and I’m going to be re-watching all your videos over the summer to help me make some decisions. Your experience and advice is so appreciated!!!!!!!
I notice there is no link to the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX in the description. Also interesting to note that the Big Agnes webstore doesn't have a Q-Core SLX that matches the 25x72" unit you have. In fact, they are all 20" units. You have to go to the more expensive QLX to get the larger size.
I have the klymit static v with r value 4.4 bought it at costco for like 60 bucks more than 4 years ago. It pack down small, not terribly heavy like 20 something oz very comfortable down. Im a side sleeper and its super comfortable. It is a kinda wide though but best for my budget. I have not tried the more expensive options so i don’t know what i’m missing
Am learning so much of your channel even though I am not a backpacker. But I do enjoy traveling with my motorbike and tent. On and off road. Your tips are very handy for that as well. Thank you!
Just got the xtherm. Thanks for reaffirming my decision. Have the prolite plus also and its great just doesn't roll down as small but nice and steardy for kayak camping. Thanks for the vid
How about the Expeds' "Downmat" product line? I think it was replaced by the ULTRA 7R product line. Two years ago, I bought the Exped Downmat HL winter. It was very comparable to NeoAir Xtherm. And I am pretty happy with it.
I got that red Big agnes today. It comes with a bag to fill up air, it is no noisy moving on it, and the edges are just perfect. I have 40 yeaars of trekking and climbing, long bike trips. I have tried a lot of equipment. This Big agnes pad, it surly seems like the most perfect and best. I just lay on it, and felt this great warmth coming from it. I got some old therma rest for the summers. This one is for the winter, I live in scandinavia. Looking forward to go out tomorrow, Just for sleeping hehehe. Watching this video , it just makes me feel even better! Good night!
Now, 9 months later, my Big Agnes is loosing air. Really a disapointment. I know that it can't be a puncture because it has never been directly on the ground like not even gras, always in a tent, and always on top of some protection. I would not say it is a budget pad, not at all. But it is very comfortable to sleep on, as long as it does not loose air.
I am 62 years old and I’m shocked how expensive camping gear has become. When I was young I shopped at the original REI in Seattle. I usually hit their bargain basement and I’m still using the equipment to this day. Today’s equipment cost more than my first car.
When you were young, REI also had their lifetime-no-questions-asked-no-receipt-needed return policy. 😭
Inflation over almost 50 years sucks
Yeah, 150.00 - 200.00 for a blow up pad... I hear ya..
You are not gonna get a proper car for 200 bucks in todays age. But yeah 200 bucks is too much for a sleeping pad.
@@mauricio533 Hi Mauricio, Agreed; however I think the items I purchased 30+ years ago that still serve me well are far superior in quality than anything made today. 🙂
I’ve had my “regular” Etherlight XT insulated down to the mid-20s and was just fine. Super comfortable at 4” thick. I love it. No experience with the “extreme”.
you mean you have the insulated version ? There are 3 versions : normal, insulated, extreme.
I used the Etherlight XT all the way down to -10 sleeping on snow with a foam pad underneath and a 20 degree sleeping bag. had the best sleep I’ve ever had while camping.
Same, have been camping this last winter in good old Flagstaff, great comfy pad and stuff sack to boot...
Same here! Also the size difference when they’re packed down is massive. The regular is close to the size of a nalgene.
Same here. I used the Etherlight XT mummy shape last winter on snow down to 19F and it was awesome, super warm, cosy and I have had a better sleep than in my mattress! Ha. Don't really understand why Dan doesn't like it.
Dan I am new to back packing and I really appreciate your videos and insight. I would say the thing that I appreciate the most and I hope you continue to do is, putting the product information on the screen. It’s nice to not have to click 1000 links trying to figure things out. Keep up the good content.
I sold mine Thermarest Xtherm Max for the reason, that when sleeping on the side, it pushed against my hip so hard, that I was waking up from the pain. I was trying to play with different air pressures with no luck. I am a regular size person, 80kgs. I strongly recommend to try it out before you buy for that particular reason. Definitely not a problem if you are strictly a back sleeper.
I love my Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm, regular. Unlike the one you have, mine is rounded on the ends. It only weighs 15oz with the pump sack, only 13oz without the sack. Can't beat it for a pad with a 6.9 R-value.
Love my Sea To Summit Ether Light XT Small 4''. Kept me warm in -5 Celsius (23 °F ), was compactable, light and quiet. Hiking mostly in Norway and Iceland. No need/ experience with the Ether L XT Extreme.
EXPED DOWNMAT!!Comfortable and warm, does not lose air. It has an R value around 7! So good I brought a spare so I could take a friend Winter backpacking. I live in Alaska,I camp with no heat source down to -30 F. I agree with you for the Sea to Summit Either Extreme IInsulated) LOUD!!!Crackly It was so loud it drown out my tinnitus and let bears know I was in the area. I love the Flextail Lite. I will probably have to check out the Thermarest. When I go lightweight I take the Klymt. Love your channel.
Exped are fantastic and made in democratic Taiwan, not Communist China like all Sea to Summit products are.
Fully agree with Exped. I have two of them and they're plush and super warm even below freezing. Have slept on Expeds and was warm down to 0 degrees. Have poked a hole in one but they repaired it for FREE!
@@givannimikel4586 Did you repair it out in the field? I worry about holes in these pads.
@@christianwolff780 It does happen, but I've made repairs in the field successfully with Tenacious Tape. You can repair any nylon gear with that stuff. However, Exped's repairs are a better long term repair.
I have the Sea To Summit Ether Light Extreme wide and I have never been cold on it, even in snowy conditions. I find it ultra comfortable also. However, it is really bulky, so is strictly my cold weather pad. I have a Nemo Tensor Insulated 2022 wide for other conditions and love that also.
Also have the Sea to Summit Extreme and was thinking about the Nemo for summer!
Hi, I have a question.
Will those winter Matts BE too warm for summer temperatures? Like is this something that ca happen.?
I expect temperatures between 5-30 degrees. Wi will combine them with a field bed.
I am looking for the most comfortable matt.
Yeah he clearly wasn't using it fully inflated. You let any air out of that thing and it stops protecting you nearly as much
What I learned from this is that not being a snow-camper gives me a lot more options when it comes to choosing a sleeping pad (& saving money on it!).
Another great vid, Dan!
I have learned this as well this last year. If you are backpacking in the cold your gear costs go up astronomically. Light+warm = $$$$
Exactly, camping in tropical places or during the summer gives you much more options for products that will suit you and are light and cheap. I go in the opposite direction from most of the trekking tribe, stay away from cold mountains and love tropical islands with mountains and preserved forests, and in the end you arrive at some surreal paradise beach.
It certainly can be, but if you are willing to compromise a little bit of comfort, it is possible to do it fairly cheap. Personally i have just used a foam pad through my winter outdoors experiences due to budget restrictions, with just R3.5. managed to sleep just fine outside in norwegian temps (-15 to -20 C) with no more protection from the cold than my sleeping bag.
yeah you have to pay a premium to be comfortable while camping in the snow… not to mention people in your life will think you are absolutely insane for purposely going out and staying in a tent in below freezing conditions lol
@@bianohehe Sounds wonderful but if seems all that savings would go to air travel.
I use the klymit static v lite and can confirm its an excellent pad on a budget. If you can't drop like 300 bucks on a pad, its definitely worth the money. A comfortable and reliable 3 season pad.
Eh, I tried it out for a while but I hated it. I am a side sleeper though so that might have affected the performance. I ended up going with a thermarest trail scout and it's way warmer and more comfortable even though it's about a third of the thickness of the static v lite
Concur. It's great.
I've used mine down to like 20F with a foam pad under it. It's been great. The baffles allow your sleeping bag insulation to expand a little bit and provide extra warmth.
agree. i only paid $70 for mine new and that alone seals the deal for me, but it would be worth it at full price too
I think I would opt for the Xtherm. For me, the higher R value combined with the increased durability *plus* the fact that it packs down pretty small is worth a little less comfort. Love Big Agnes though. Maybe the Xtherm underneath Big Agnes... 😆
I just bought the Big Agnes Q-Core Deluxe, it's blue he didn't show it here. But it is super comfortable with a r value of 4.3. It's a lot bigger to pack than my old Static V, but it's way more comfortable to sleep on.
IMHO the Klymit Static V is the "okayest" sleeping pad. Not bad for the money but I think there are better options now.
I can confirm the q-core deluxe is super comfortable. I prefer it over my bigger “more comfortable” exped mega mat 10 car camping sleeping pad. I also have the tensor and while it’s not as comfortable it still is great.
I wonder if the turquoise version differs somehow. It's also way more $$.
@@Staypuff777 I have the Static V for budget reasons. Not warm, not comfortable, but cheap and works well enough for summer. If I had money I would definitely upgrade.
I have found that the deluxe sleeps colder than a 4.3 pad should. What’s the lowest temp you have used it and been ok? Are you a warm sleeper? Do you use a quilt?
I love my Rapid SL. I'm a side sleeper, but the raised edges on the regular width really make a difference
Funny, I love my Sea to Summit- comfort is king. I have never been cold on it- but it is bigger than most. If I don’t sleep well everyone around me will pay one way or another! Lol The Exped is so loud you might get kicked out of camp! I get two pads, a winter one (the S2S) that goes in a bigger capacity backpack and a late spring/summer pad so I’m waiting for you, Dan, to make a decision on how my summer is gonna go! No pressure 😳😃
Your comment gave me hope. I just bought that pad and was shocked by the review in the video 😅😅
the exped is loud? do you mean Therm-a-rest? i have both the Exped Downmat 9rw and the therm-a-rest uberlite.. and gosh, the uberlite is loud. the exped is silent as a mouse :)
@@MrJacobryborg no, I meant what I said! the exped ultra 3R was a comfortable pad but the noise kept me and my camp mates in surrounding tents awake. Even a slight head turn had that thing squealing, it was really bad!
@@CampSaw wow, i’ve never expierenced that with exped, i only habe their down mats though :)
Also love my Sea to Summit XT extreme and had no issues! Only downside is that it is big.
I’m 290 lbs and a side sleeper. The Big Agnes Q Core SLX allows me to get a good nights sleep, which is pretty impressive. 4” of loft. No loss of volume during the night. My hips and shoulders don’t collapse it
lose weight and you'll also spend less on food and you won't need a pad. win win
@@armadilllo This is nonsense
@@armadilllo perhaps he is 6' 7" and built like an nfl defensive lineman. his friends call him "lil andy".
da fuq with that trolling, bwah!
Seriously…uncalled for
@@highonimmi I never said he wasn't, but in most sports people are worried about saving grams on their equipment and spending thousands to reduce weight of their rigs when they could fix other things instead, I am a bit overweight myself and keep tweaking the suspension on my dirt bikes and mountain bikes when all I have to do lose weight, which is free, that's what I meant.
I love how this man is both trolling us and informing us at the same time. ty lol
I have the Klymit Insulated Static-V. It's great, comfortable, packs small, inflates in 9 breaths. My wife is a side sleeper and loves it.
So! Thanks for the advice Dan I have today (9th November 2022) purchased the Big Agnes Rapide SL for the princely sum of £99 here in the UK. I got the long one so neither my head or feet dangle off the ends. Looking forward to testing it out as the temperature drops. 👍
We are car campers, but aim for the sweet spot between car camping gear and backpacking gear on account of the fact that it's five in my family, in a hatchback. We upgraded to a Big Agnes Air Core Ultra last year and love it. Comfy, keeps us warm, and doesn't take up a ridiculous amount of space.
Really glad I pulled the trigger on the Rapide SL. Going to put it to the test on my AT thru hike 2023!
Surprised Exped didn't make your list! Great sleeping pads - and especially popular among side sleepers. Thanks for the comparisons!
Just spent a week on my exped dura... amazing pad.
Yes Exped is The Best so far, super comfy light weight and durable.
love my Exped.. I think we are up to 4 of them.. R3 for summer, R7 downmat for my -40 Februarys camping.
From what I've seen, Exped has the best warmth/price out there, and still comes highly packable. I've been using a Synmat 7 for years now.
Would you guys say it’s not worth to update from an exped ultra 3R to a big Agnes or sts xt insulated?
I have the exped but i don’t thinks its that comfortable…
I've ended up with Expeds and really like them. Use the pump sack as a bag liner. I also only buy wide, and my R7 mummy is 25oz, R4 mummy is 18 and neither sound like chip bags🙂
I watched your video about your bad experience with Sea2Summit extreme and had commented on what perhaps went wrong... I have it and I was toasty in winter and -15°C. The weight is justified by its performance. Did you try it only once or many times?
Right, I have the one he reviewed and it keeps me toasty warm! Not sure what went sideways with him but that thing is awesome.
I have it too and sleep brutally warm. Didn't slept on it directly into snow but in a high altitude mountain trip it performed awesome.
The bulk is my biggest con though.
I just got back from a 2 week hike and took my etherlite xt extreme "regular size" I will never take anything else, sure it's slightly bulky but it's not loud like everyone claims it can be loud only from your sleeping bad rubbing against it but the mat itself it quiet.
It's the most comfortable Mat I have had being a side sleeper and I certainly never got cold from underneath. The only disadvantage is the size
Make a decision, Dan. The Road of Life is paved with flat squirrels that couldn't make a decision. Decide! 🤣🤣🤣 Seriously, thanks for the video!
Haha I ended up buying the Themorest Neoair a few years ago... but I went through the same problem between Thermorest and Big Agnus as you did haha
Since I already have a very light foam pad, I would go with the Klymit static v. My foam pad is bulky but extremely light and I can actually sleep on it. I tie it onto the bottom of my pack. I'm always insured being insulated with it, and I have a dog, which makes me worried about getting anything else.
I have Sea To Summit Etherlight XT ( you skipped it somehow from this show ) and it's super comfy, well packable (with bikepacking as well) and light sleeping pad. I'm side sleeper and it's a must have one.
Just picked one of these up, excited to try it out.
I just got to test my new BA Rapide SL last week. What a great pad! I’m 6’2” 270# (bought the long/wide) and I slept very comfortably on it, never slipped off, never lost air. I used a Ridgerest under it to protect it like I have all of my backpacking career with my old Thermarest pads.
are you a side sleeper? im a big guy too and sleep on my side. whats a Ridgerest? im new to camping have been using a cheap pad from Dicks and looking to get a good pad. i wont be sleeping in anything under 30 degrees. thanks
@@heavydpm666 Yeah, I'm a side sleeper. I'm using a Nemo Disco sleeping bag also. It has a spoon shape for more footbox room. Ridgerest is a thin, closed cell foam pad. They are fairly cheap and will protect your expensive pad from the ground. They will also give a little more R value.
I have the Exped Synmat 7. 140$, R-Value of 4.9, weighs 1kg and packs small and is big and comfy. comfort rating until-17C or 0F. really good budget sleeping pad. I might upgrade to the downpad some time down the line. I live in Finland so a high R-Value is preferable most of the year.
I have old Exped DownMat UL 7. I would not recommend Down model, since Inside Down tends to stick together, and would not be scattered evenly inside of tube. So most of part of tube does not have Down, so you will be freeze.
You may see how Down sticks together when put strong light back side of mat, and can see the shadow of inside down.
I dont know the new Down Model, if Exped change the structure of Air tube, such as put some of partition to prevent Down Stickiness, it will be good, but if the structure is the same, I will not recommend.
Love the size comparison to the water bottle. Some in the military including myself ditch the canteen and use similar bottles. So the comparison has helped with loadout planning. Thanks for the help
I'm still using my Thermarest mat that I bought in 1992. In the thirty years I've been using it, never failed me. Nuff said - ! 😁
I tried a lot of pads. The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated is my favorite. Very comfortable, and packing size isn't that bad. For me it is worth it for the extra comfort after a long day outdoors. Also love the integrated pump sack. Makes inflation super easy.
Right? I have the wide version and i have slept in -8 celsius just fine
I've heard good things as well but it looks huge when packed down. That's a non-starter.
@@wellseasonedhiker I think they are talking about another model - there is the XT, XT Insulated and XT Extreme. I also got my XT Insulated and it's amazing - comes at 460g and barely bigger than a Nalgene Bottle so MUCH smaller than the Extreme!
I bought the Klymit Static V Recon insulated sleeping pad on eBay factory refurbished for $45, it has an R Value of 4. I love it, it performs great and the price was ridiculously low. It had the same warranty as a brand new one as well.
The Sea to Summit Etherlight XT Insulated is VERY comfortable, packs small & is so thick it is a MUST for side sleepers. Decent R Vakue at 3.2 also. I got the Wide Rectangular version- worth every penny for a good sleep on the ground.
Thank you. I'm looking for a side and stomach sleeper, i read that the Etherlight XT is a good choice.
Just bought and used the Rapide. It's more comfortable than my bed. Not hyperbole.
When are you going to review Exped's new mats? I switched out my Nemo Tensor for an Exped Ultra 3R and I have zero regrets. The Exped mat packs a bit larger and isn't as light, but it's waaaay more comfortable and quiet. Totally worth it, especially if you're a side sleeper.
Why you didn’t give a try to exped dura instead of ultra?
I’m looking at the Klymit Insulated Static V, which has a 4.4 R-value, for $100.
The closest comparable one in this video seems to be the Nemo, which, right now on BackCountry, is almost $100 more and has a lower 4.2 R-value.
Easy decision, Klymit Insulated V? It seems really hard to beat that price for such a decent R-value. I go out about 3 times a year and never in weather below freezing, if even below 50°.
Great video Dan, thanks. New subscriber here (from Australia), and really appreciate that you included metric stats for these mats 👍
I wish you had added a rating for noisiness. I feel like I am waking the campsite when I rollover. I have a thermarest neoair which has a load crinkle.
I used my uber lite on snow this spring and stayed warm. It only got down to about 25 degrees and I added a space blanket under it but I was surprised how warm I stayed. I sleep pretty warm, though.
Would be good to get your thoughts on how Exped pads compare to all these
Which pad did you use when you filmed "A Quiet Place"? Cuz some of those pads are quite noisy, like a bag of Sun Chips. I'm looking for a quiet pad, for sure.
Last week I had my Exped mat of 14 years develop a leek, so started looking at alternatives. This video helps a lot but I wondered why you didn't include any newer Exped models. Should I avoid them?
This video is awesome. I like how there’s not bs between every one of
That flashback edit though!
Your man Emmett is definitely your best ever video editor - quality has gone up significantly.....
No thermarest Neo-air x-lite on the list? I think it is at the sweet spot of warmth, weight, and durability. The X-therm is also awesome. Nemo Tensor is solid as well.
I bought the big Agnes rapide thanks to your advice and love it! I have used it twice so far. The first weekend was around 70 degrees and the second weekend went down to 37. Very comfortable in both temperatures.
I just picked up the Klymit Static V
I'll be testing it out next weekend.
I have the Xtherm Max and it's it warm for sure but not comfortable for side sleeping. I literally pulled the trigger on a Rapide AND a tensor on the REI memorial day sale. Hoping to see which is more comfortable but I had my fingers crossed 🤞 on the Rapide for the side baffles. I'm a hammock camper and I actually kind of like the cradle feel.
So which one do you like better? Then rapide or tensor? Also which 1 is quieter?
Yeah we need a follow up on this! I’m a side sleeper torn between Xtherm Max and Rapide 😂
Who knew finding a backpacking sleeping pad could be so difficult! I feel ya, Dan. I’m trying to find that unicorn of a sleeping pad that is lightweight, wide enough for a rotisserie sleeper, with the R value to be a 4 season pad.
HA, I've been telling my friends that I'm a rotisserie chicken sleeper.
The Klymit pads are good for side sleepers, I'm a big guy (120kg) and have got on really well with my Insulated Static V Luxe for cooler temperatures, and Static V2 for the warmer months. Best R value is the Insulated Static V Luxe SL at 6.5, it's nice and wide at cm and just about small enough to go in a 1-man tunnel tent, while the standard Static V Luxe definitely is not, that one's 76cm!
My biggest complaint with my Big Agnes Air Core Ultra insulated pad is the CONSTANT squeaking with the floor of my BA Copper Spur tent. It squeaks when I breathe. I have to wrap it in a sleeping bag liner to quiet it down and then it slides all over the tent. Very frustrating. I recently got one of the gossamer gear foam pads which hopefully will quiet it down!
I bought the Klymit mat after watching your review.. after camping with it for a few trips I love it.. I have it paired with an Alpkit Insulation mat too and it works a treat. Camped out on Dartmoor with it with 5 degrees celsius and it worked okay, felt a bit of a chill but it wasn't uncomfortable. Looking forward to using it in the summer
Own 3 different Static V’s love em! Work, play and 1 for the kid.
This was very helpful. Been debating most of these. Got stuck on Nemo, SLX, and Rapide and needed to know a bit more.
My question is, what temperature range do you consider your seasons to be? I understand you're further north than and our Winters (in Ga) don't often get below the twenties, unless you're in the mountains, whereas our summers are often in the mid 70s for night time. (Edited for poor grammar 😂)
Your videos have gotten so good adding Emit
Watching this after I just bought my Rapide SL from the REI anniversary sale 😎 Great video as always!
I use Layon sleeping pad. It's comfortable. It's not for winter but I love how small it packs.
Great comarison and I agree with the verdict. One high end competitor you might want to look at is the Exped deepsleep. Quite thick and packs big but it's very durable, and extreeeemly insulated.
I like your conclusion. I just bought the Big Agnes Rapide whassisname. Great pad but a stupid name. It’s my first good quality pad after decades of roughing it. I’ve only had a few nights on it so far but it really does seem to tick all my boxes.
I‘ve used my Uberlite plenty in below freezing temps. Lowest I got to was -15C (5F) and still felt comfortable. The only thing I don’t like about it is the durability. I‘m on my third mattress, because of delaminating. Luckily all covered under warranty though.
Love the vibe of these videos. Informative but also fun and entertaining - great combo!
I am trying out the Klymit Static V Insulated Lite. I was disappointed when I saw it had an ASTM R-value of 1.9, not 4.4 like it calls out on the advertising. I really like the ease of set-up but want something that could would keep me warm even below freezing (maybe about 15F?). How much warmth does a foam pad offer if I was to "double-up" for colder nights? And does the extra pad need to have a specific R-value?
Thanks for this video! I own an older x-therm but I had been looking at the sea to summit until I saw this video. I had a BA years ago but it sprung a leak on the first trip.
I have to say it! ever since emit has been on board it seems like your channel has gotten a sarcastic style of comedy that is just great lol. props to him, I'm assuming it has been his ideas.
Hi Dan, your advice and gear expertise is really appreciated. Your opinion on the Exped Versa 4r would have been good.
Very informative video - thanks for putting it out there. Can you please provide a link for the air pump? I couldn't find it at Backcountry.
I have hiked more than 26,000 miles and bicycle toured more than 3 times that distance. The most important consideration, especially in cold weather is will the pad hold air, and is it durable. I have had two thermarest xtherms, both which leaked along inner seams in one to two weeks, the original yellow pad lasts maybe a couple of months. Both are noisy. Cascade Designs used to make great gear, but now it is crap. I had a Nemo which falied and ballooned in the middle after a month, another pos. I've owned both Klymit v and v2. The valve on the first failed within a month. The latter lasted longer, but developed several, repairable slow leaks on interior welds. I had a Sea to Summit that ballooned after about two months. I'm still looking for a durable mat, but I highly recommend a closed cell pad underneath in cold weather because you can't trust an inflatable. And know that R-values are additive, so if one pad is rated at two and you put a pad on top rated at three, the total R-value is five.
It's great how you keep the ads entertaining. Well done.
Cheers Dan, I upgraded my Nemo Tensor Insulated regular to the Thremorest Xtherm wide/long and Its been the best choice I've made. I gave my old Nemo to my partner to use, she says she doesn't want it now and wants to upgrade to the xtherm after using mine. The extra R value of the xtherm makes a big difference. For my style of sleeping I find the xthrem so much more stable and comfortable. Might not be the same for everyone as we are all different but I would go the Xtherm for the insulating properties alone.
Loving my new Nemo Quasar 3D Insulated (regular wide). Kept me warm on that frost morning in Algonquin. Rolls down to the size of a Nalgene, which is amazing for 25 inches wide and 3.5 inches thick. Great for side sleeping. And super quiet too.
Just bought this at REI a couple of weeks ago at 30% Off so great deal and I know I'll love it
Got the flex tail pump after your recommendation on another video. I want to love it but the first one arrived broken. Amazon replaced it quickly but the replacement still seems wonky. Half the time I push the button, nothing happens. After a couple of pushes, then the pump will turn on. Anyone else have experience with this? Really don’t want to carry it on a trip and have it break halfway through and then just have dead weight.
Dan what was the situation in which the StS sucked that badly? I've been considering that particular pad in recent times and have not heard anything similar.
From being a complete hiking bunny in 2017 I did a lot of homework and ended up getting the StS grey, uninsulated dual layer pad. Comfort Plus I think? With either a foam thing or a windscreen sunshade underneath it's been good to well below freezing. Thinner than I'd like, and expensive but I guess that's hiking. I've since bought the red, insulated version also but only my GF has used it. From what I can tell about StS they sound pretty legit and I suspect they'd be horrified to hear your report. The normal insulated version was apparently unconvincing in some reviews and the story I heard is that StS bought out the extreme one as a result. Dunno, but it tests and compares well.
I'm liking Dan. The right blend of entertainment and info.
Now that we have taken up winter snowshoe camping, I struggle with which pads to consider. Our first year winter camping I just took our regular 3-season pads (e.g. Thermarest & Klymit) and we FROZE.
So now we haul in the bigger heavier pads like the MondoKing 3d. VERY WARM and VERY COMFORTABLE but very heavy. Best for car camping only.
So this video is VERY helpful brother.
What do you think of the Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe SL? I am considering getting that one as it has an R-value of 6.5 and under 900g which is pretty impressive. Also the Klymit Insulated Static V Recon has an R-value of 4.4 at 680g. Both seem to be strong competitors to the Thermarest Xtherm Max and the Big Agnes Rapide SL, don't you think? The Klymit ones seem to be cheaper also... (at least here in the UK)
I have the Klymit Static V Recon insulated sleeping pad, got it on eBay factory refurbished for $45. It came with the same warranty as a new one and as for performance, it does pretty good for me. For the price, you can't beat it.
I'd like to ask you to revisit these pads - and also discuss setup and break down. Not only are pack size (packability), price, thermal properties, comfort (obviously) important but how long does it take to break down? I have several "blow up" pads and each differ in how much effort and time it takes to deflate them and get them back into their storage sacks. I have one that takes me a 1/2 hour to pack up & that is not good. So could you please revise this video and add that parameter to the discussion?
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe that the Klymit Static V Insulated runs for $60 and has an R-value of 4.4 and its the normal non-insulated pad that runs for about $35 that has an R-value of 1.9
actual ASTM R-Value is about half that, but still the top end of the ultra budget pads
You should review a couple of Exped pads. I've been using one for years now and love it. I'd like to hear how you think they compare to these others.
See, I've had a very different experience with my Etherlite XT Extreme (or whatever order those go in). Yeah, it's a bit bulky, but for a winter pad that's not been a problem fro me (especially once I roll it up into its stuff sack it's actually not too bad). But for me, the main thing is that it alone (without another pad) has worked great down to even negative 20F (coldest I've seen campting since I got it) with the only thing between it and the snow being the bottom of my tent and my groundcover.
I’ve got some thermarest neo air variant it’s like 4” thick, packs down really small and love it. Having the 4” of pad is nice because I can either pump it all the way up or let a little out and I can sink in a bit better. With my Nemo pillow I get great sleep on the trail!
I've been using the xtherm for years and love it! Good choice! I recently switched to the women's neoair for non-winter camping tho because it's lighter and still r-value 5.4!
My last night was -18° on the "sea to summit" without a tent. it was totally fine.
just watched your video with an eye to buy Dan , and i really do respect your opinions but here`s the thing ...... here in the UK that Big Agnes Rapide is £99 and the Thermarest which i`d dearly love to have is £220 (if you can find one in stock!) . We don`t quite get the minus`s that you do over there but our cold is a damp wet (get into your bones) kinda cold . I`m just glad i watched your video before pressing the buy button on that Sea to summit
KLYMIT STATIC V LUXE insulated Sleeping Pad or Big Agnes Rapside... for a best budget pad?
I have a simple neoair and could sleep in any temperature down to -30C, love it. It takes too much space though and for normal temp i just bought the uberlight, tested in my house so far and i can feel the difference easily, the neoair reflects the warmth back to my back, the uberlight reflects it only for a minute or so
Just bought a Big Agnes Rapid SL in the 25x72 thanks to your review and I’m super happy. Also had a luxury of camping with Chef Corso in my home state of Missouri! Thanks for the recommendation, bought the tiny pump as well!
Thank you for all your reviews. Planning a 2023 thru hike on AT and I’m going to be re-watching all your videos over the summer to help me make some decisions. Your experience and advice is so appreciated!!!!!!!
Congrats on your thru hike, Margie!
I have no idea why I originally clicked on this….but you made an awesome video and I thank you for that!!! Great info and analysis!
I notice there is no link to the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX in the description. Also interesting to note that the Big Agnes webstore doesn't have a Q-Core SLX that matches the 25x72" unit you have. In fact, they are all 20" units. You have to go to the more expensive QLX to get the larger size.
I have the klymit static v with r value 4.4 bought it at costco for like 60 bucks more than 4 years ago. It pack down small, not terribly heavy like 20 something oz very comfortable down. Im a side sleeper and its super comfortable. It is a kinda wide though but best for my budget. I have not tried the more expensive options so i don’t know what i’m missing
Am learning so much of your channel even though I am not a backpacker. But I do enjoy traveling with my motorbike and tent. On and off road. Your tips are very handy for that as well. Thank you!
Dan Becker, you should do a review on the Katibatic flex quilt paired with the big Agnes pads.
Just got the xtherm. Thanks for reaffirming my decision. Have the prolite plus also and its great just doesn't roll down as small but nice and steardy for kayak camping. Thanks for the vid
Just got two of the therm-a-rest trail scouts for this weekend trip it’s supposed to get down to 35 degrees so we will see how it goes!
How about the Expeds' "Downmat" product line? I think it was replaced by the ULTRA 7R product line. Two years ago, I bought the Exped Downmat HL winter. It was very comparable to NeoAir Xtherm. And I am pretty happy with it.
Just had the Nemo on the AT last week. Deflated on the first night. In 6 years never had a problem with my Thermarest
Haven't heard anyone else complain about that. Bad valve maybe?
I got that red Big agnes today. It comes with a bag to fill up air, it is no noisy moving on it, and the edges are just perfect. I have 40 yeaars of trekking and climbing, long bike trips. I have tried a lot of equipment. This Big agnes pad, it surly seems like the most perfect and best. I just lay on it, and felt this great warmth coming from it. I got some old therma rest for the summers. This one is for the winter, I live in scandinavia. Looking forward to go out tomorrow, Just for sleeping hehehe. Watching this video , it just makes me feel even better! Good night!
Now, 9 months later, my Big Agnes is loosing air. Really a disapointment. I know that it can't be a puncture because it has never been directly on the ground like not even gras, always in a tent, and always on top of some protection. I would not say it is a budget pad, not at all. But it is very comfortable to sleep on, as long as it does not loose air.