Lightweight sleeping pads for sore back

[twoSevenO]

Ive been using a thermarest for the longest time. Mine is a pro lite, 3/4 length women's model. It provides a little more thickness and is a bit smaller.

However ... I've been dealing with back problems and sleeping on it has become quite uncomfortable. I toss and turn all night and my sleep is overall terrible. My back is very very stiff in the morning. Used to be that tossing and turning was actually good for my back as it djdnt let me get settled into one position too long.

Curious if anyone else with back pain has ditched the
Standard thermarest for something else and if so what?

There are many options out there now. Almost too many to choose from. Heard good things about exped ones.

[decker9]

I suffer from a wicked back, ever since going to the exped, no more sore back and hips. I had bought both an exped ul and the thermarest xtherm and found the exped suite me better, and not nearly as noisy. Seems the baffles going lengthwise, cradles me onto the pad quite well. Also have the schnozzel bag which was a great addition.

[264mag]

X2 on the exped. Tad heavier than the thermarest but no issues with slow leaks and it’s quiet. I’m a side sleeper and it’s as comfortable as any bed.
I have the schnozzel as well. Not only fills the mattress quickly but also serves as a party trick and entertainment for your buddies in camp.

[swampthing]

I have the exped downmatt 5. Certainly heavier and bulkier than the thermarest but considerably more comfortable. Warmer too.

[twoSevenO]

You guys using the insulated exped or un?

Curious if the uninsulated ones are still ok to use in mid October?

[264mag]

Insulated for me. I love it.

[decker9]

Mine is uninsulated, the ul synmat, I wouldn’t think twice about using it in later season.

Iv heard the insulated ones can run into mildew issues if a person blows them up by mouth due to the moisture. Not sure how much of an issue it really is tho.

[mod7rem]

You guys using the insulated exped or un?

Curious if the uninsulated ones are still ok to use in mid October?

I’ve been using an Exped downmat 7 for quite a while and its awesome. A big improvement over anything I’ve ever used before for warmth and comfort. I wouldn’t recommend an uninsulated mat at all. It’s the only thing separating you from the cold ground. Your compressed sleeping bag underneath you doesn’t do much.

Last year on an early Oct goat hunt the temp at night was just below zero with wet snow. My bag is a -9 C down bag and I was totally comfortable. My friends was a -18 C down bag and he had problems keeping warm. He was using a thermorest with a high R-value but no actual insulation in it. He bought an exped downmat 7 and on this years sheep hunt in similar temps and conditions he was toasty warm. Your sleeping bag is severely compromised without insulation from the cold ground.

[twoSevenO]

I'll have to see how much weight and bulk the insulation adds. I've used the old thermarest "trail" model from the mid 2000s on snow on a November hunt when the water bottles in my tent froze overnight and I actually found it pretty good.

Of course, i was much younger and shittier conditions were much more comfortable than now. Lol.

[mod7rem]

Ha ha, ya it’s funny how aging is making me less tolerant of discomfort.