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Wondering if anyone has any suggestions or opinions on this sleeping pad. They have it for $35 at costco right now. It has an R-value of 5.68, which is nice, but alternatively it has a weight of 3.8lbs. Do you think that the weight is enough to pass it up? I really don't want to spend $160 on an xlite. An alternative is to go with a SOLite. Im trying to prepare for winter in the sierras as I plan to do a few 14ers this winter.
Link to manufacturers website:
http://www.lightspeedoutdoors.com/product.php?id=83

3.8 lbs for just a sleeping pad? Yikes! I wouldn't carry it in the mountains if they paid me. Don't know about SOlite or xlite, but my pad is 1.75 lbs, packs into a 5"x9" sack, inflates to 2.5 inches. It's made by Expedition Equipment, model "Synmat 7 LT. It's at least 6 years old, and I bought it for $100.

I second what Marksoltan said. I use a very old (15+ years) , very heavy (IMHO) Thermarest LE. It ran about $75 when I bought it and weighs 1.75 lbs.

Marcsoltan wrote:3.8 lbs for just a sleeping pad? Yikes! I wouldn't carry it in the mountains if they paid me. Don't know about SOlite or xlite, but my pad is 1.75 lbs, packs into a 5"x9" sack, inflates to 2.5 inches. It's made by Expedition Equipment, model "Synmat 7 LT. It's at least 6 years old, and I bought it for $100.

I agree with the weight being too much. Sometimes it's easy to be blinded by a price tag. The Exped mats look pretty nice for the price. I may go that route as I haven't been super impressed by the therm-a-rest ones.

That is way too heavy for anything but car camping.

Buy a NeoAir XTherm

http://www.cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-r ... rm/product

Best all-purpose pad available.

A sleeping pad review:

http://larsonweb.com/blog/?tag=sleeping-pad-review

3.8 pounds for a pad is outrageous. I use a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite small which weighs just 8 ounces. I put my backpack under my legs and it is all I need even on snow.

mrchad9 wrote:3.8 pounds for a pad is outrageous. I use a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite small which weighs just 8 ounces. I put my backpack under my legs and it is all I need even on snow.

Agreed. My preference is for a thin, full length Evazotte pad, weight 9 oz, available at Prolitegear.com for about $20. I have had partners pop their inflatables, which will never happen to a foamy.

mrchad9 wrote:I use a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite small which weighs just 8 ounces.

best sleeping investment i ever made, that.

My tent weighs 3.8lbs.....don't get that pad.

I use the BigAgnes Aircore 48" pad and stuff my pack under my legs. Insulated with primaloft, weighs 14oz, and packs down to 6"x4".

Are the x-lite or x-therm super noisy? Ive heard mixed reviews. Also, how much should I look into R-values. It seems that based on R values/weight, unless Im spending >$120 then its best to just get a closed cell pad.

WyomingSummits wrote:I use the BigAgnes Aircore 48" pad and stuff my pack under my legs. Insulated with primaloft, weighs 14oz, and packs down to 6"x4".

Have you done any snow camping with this bad boy? They have a good price on them at REI right now.

wsharp23 wrote:It seems that based on R values/weight, unless Im spending >$120 then its best to just get a closed cell pad.

The latest generation of self inflating pads pack down very small and are quite light, enabling one to carry them inside the pack. Closed cell pads (Evazotte, Ridge Rest, Z-Rest, and the like) are bulky and must be strapped to the outside of the pad. The upside of closed cell foam pads are they will never pop and are cheap, for me this is worth the tradeoff of the bulk, and is all I will use especially after watching partners not sleep all night due to a popped inflatable (that cost 5X my foamy).

wsharp23 wrote:

WyomingSummits wrote:I use the BigAgnes Aircore 48" pad and stuff my pack under my legs. Insulated with primaloft, weighs 14oz, and packs down to 6"x4".

Have you done any snow camping with this bad boy? They have a good price on them at REI right now.

Yep......performed well. Been using mine for 3 yrs with no issues. The bigger ones will weigh more and have a larger pack size of course. I went for the 48" because I use the pack for leg insulation and wanted to cut down on the weight.

wsharp23 wrote:Are the x-lite or x-therm super noisy? Ive heard mixed reviews. Also, how much should I look into R-values. It seems that based on R values/weight, unless Im spending >$120 then its best to just get a closed cell pad.

See this post: http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB3/0-degree-bag-or-20-degree-bag-t67425.html#p952585

You don't really notice the noise inside of a big mummy bag.

TI