I use the MEC Reactor 3.8.  Rolls up nice and small.  No complaints.  We now have 3 of them.  I think they used to have a 'long' size, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.  I suspect you'd need the long.

I have a Neoair X-therm that I use for cold weather. It's great! Really changed everything for me when compared to sleeping on traditional thermarests. Comfort, weight, packability are all vastly superior. The compromise is durability and cost.

For weather above zero C  I use a Nemo Tensor insulated pad. Nemo doesn't get the same press as Thermarest. Perhaps their marketing budget isn't as big. But, I find it is even more comfortable than my Neoair. Because of the square baffles the sides don't collapse like a Neoair. It's also quieter than the Neoair. Less crinkly.  Great product worth considering.

I think it's GearReview.com.  Invaluable information. I bought both of my Thermarest pads based on their reviews. NeoAir All-Season and NeoAir x-lite

I've gone through several sleeping pads looking for that special one I would be happy with. I have a Iong history of not sleeping well in my bed at home so I placed a priority on comfort when camping/canoeing/backpacking. 

I started with the MEC Reactor 6.5 which is very comfortable but heavy and huge when rolled up. My next pad was a Thermarest Prolite Plus. Much better in terms of packed size and weight than the Reactor 6.5, but too narrow for a guy like me with wide shoulders who tosses and turns through the night. Constantly coming into contact with the cold ground in the middle of the night is no fun!

So I bit the bullet, spent more money than I wanted to and invested in a Thermarest Xtherm Max. I got the Large size due to its extra width. This is the one I'll stick with. It's rugged, warm, collapses small for transport and unlike most other sleeping pads it can be stored rolled up. In my estimation, the complaints of crinkling noises are overblown. I've used the Xtherm Max in weather ranging from +6C to +26C and not been uncomfortable. Check out the reviews online, this is a very highly regarded product. 

Regardless of which one you go with, here is a tip to keep yourself from coming into contact with the cold ground when you have a narrow pad: On my trips I take one of those All Weather Emergency Blankets MEC sells for $17 and lay that under the sleeping pads, shiny side up. If an arm or leg does happen to go onto the ground, the blanket reflects the body heat back up, resulting in much less discomfort.

Good luck!

Last edited by Blobsquatch (9/19/2016 6:30 am)

After too many pads to count like thermorest, kelty, north49, and various others I've settled on a Pine Ridge 2.5. It's compact when rolled, inflates to the full 2 1/2 inches, and has two twist-loc valves A simple quarter turn and pull opens the valve, and push and turn to close. It inflates and deflates very easily and quickly, and is warm to -40.

I have owned a Thermorest NeoAir All Season for a few seasons and I had to beat my canoe partner off it every evening. He happily took it out of my gear inventory when I bought the Sea-to-Summit Comfort Plus insulated pad. I love the 2-sides cell system to adjust the pressure just right. It pumps up in seconds and deflates instantly to pack.

Last edited by Look_up (9/19/2016 7:53 pm)

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am currently leaning towards the ThermaRest Neoair Xtherm.

I am, however, in no rush to acquire one. Has anyone noticed if these (sleeping pads in general) go on sale occasionally? 

Atmosphere has a 25% off sale that covers a good chunk of their inventory, both online and in-store, that ends today. They do sell Thermarest and the discount applies to those products but I don't believe they sell the Xthern specifically.

The promo code to use shows up at checkout.

Last edited by spicol (9/22/2016 8:47 am)