Need advice on a foam sleep pad that doesn't suck

Here's the deal. I can sleep anywhere and on anything. Upright, upside down, trees, logs, rocks, etc. Nothing fazes me. When I climb in the alpine I've never brought along a sleeping pad. Why? Cause I generate a crap ton of heat. Used to not be a problem but it seems my heat engine has kicked it into overdrive lately and I'm generating even more heat than usual. Coupled with my switch to a down sleeping bag from synthetic I find myself waking up 2-3" lower than when I started in snow with a completely soaked bag. Kinda crappy and makes for a pissed off Asian.

So I'm looking for something light and compact that can insulate the ground from me.

I use a Marmot Helium EQ bag for reference.

Supra

Exped Synmat UL 7

Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest SOlite - Can be a little bulky but light as a feather, very durable and gets the job done well for low cost. I stand by this pad, I've used down to -40c and as high as +40c, as padding for a rock seat, etc etc.

If you just want cheap and light, Therma-rest Z-lites fit the bill. Unlike some foam pads, they can get also get soaked and don't absorb water. Great to strap to the outside of your pack.

Phillip Morris wrote: Exped Synmat UL 7

I wanna stay away from inflatables as I'm kinda abusive towards gear.

I'm just throwing the futon mattress in the van for the road trip. Pfffft.

A longer term solution would be that you and I exchange some genetic coding somehow. Since I can never sleep anywhere or on anything (except my own bed) and I generate no body heat and am always freezing cold, it is obvious we need biotech intervention to even things out between us.

Therm-a-rest Z-lite SOL

Aerili. Maybe I should take you along on my alpine adventures to act as a heatsink ;-)

While your suggestion would be high cost in terms of money and time, it would be 1) not experimental and 2) way more fun. :)

+1 for the z-lite. It's cheap, light, pretty comfortable, folds up nice for a camp seat, and is warm enough.

On a side note, the durability thing with sleeping pads is kind of a catch 22. The super expensive inflatables are lighter and comfier than a foam pad and pack down crazy small, but if you get a leak, you're SOL.

On the other hand, strapping a foam pad to the outside of your pack exposes it to a lot of wear and tear when backpacking, especially any kind of bushwhacking. With serious use, they get torn up pretty quick. Foam pads also lose some of their perkiness and comfort over time. But the main thing is, they retain functionality.

Just my opinion... I still use the z-lite for all my backpacking trips and really like it.

I will add my +1 to the z-lite. Light, warm, comfortable, versatile, and relatively cheap.

Phillip Morris wrote: Exped Synmat UL 7

I want to try one of these after laying on the Neo Air I stuck with my Pro Lite 4 but if this one doesn't make that crinkly noise I am sold.

The cheapest lightest pad going is the car windshield screen. Or better yet you can get the same thing as water heater wrap, buy it by the food cut to size.

Sounds like an evazote pad would work well for you:

mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Sleeping…

Aerili wrote:While your suggestion would be high cost in terms of money and time, it would be 1) not experimental and 2) way more fun. :)

Whoa! Am I reading this right?

Legal in NV I guess.

I'm digging the MP flirtations. Usually the girls just yell at the guys on here.

I have this rei.com/product/810386/ther…

no complaints from me, never used it in the snow though.

Wal-Mart has $6 blue foam pads that work just fine.

another vote for the z-lite (the yellow folding one). To keep down weight and bulk get the shorty or trim it down- you can use stick your pack under your feet, which also helps drain blood/reduce swelling in your legs if you've done a lot of hiking.

Another option is to use something like a tyvek groundsheet. Its cheap, super light, durable and low bulk. it prob won't stop your heat from melting the snow but it should keep your bag dry.

backcountry.com/therm-a-res…

THe Thermarest Ridgerest SoLite is awesome. I got the small 48" for going lighter and am super stoked. The thing weighs nothing, can't be popped, and is pretty darn comfy.

Kai Larson wrote:Sounds like an evazote pad would work well for you: mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Sleeping…

Only problem with MEC's Evazote pads is that it costs $19 to ship them from Canada to the US. Looks like you can now get Evazote pads from a US source: prolitegear.com/prolite-gea…