Is there a comfortable sleeping mat to b uy?

“Hello Everyone!

I have decided to buy a new sleeping mat for backpacking. Is there such a thing as a comfortable mat? I am currently using an old thin thermarest which to me is not at all comfortable, I hate sleeping on that thing. Can anyone suggest a nice soft comfortable mat to buy? I do not at all care if it weighs more then my old one..I rather carry the extra weight and have a better nights sleep.
Thanks everyone!”

“I've heard good things about these.
http://www.ems.com/products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442584227&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302853680&fromTemplate=navigation%2Fsubcategory.jsp&bmUID=1105715641828”

“I've tried several, and my thermarest LE is still the best BACKPACKING worthy mat I've ever slept on. There are more comfy beds, but in my experience nothing more comfy that's what you'd want to carry on your back along with everything else you need to survive.”

“I like my Thermorest Prolite 4”

“My preference is the Big Agnes Air Core. It weighs less, packs smaller and is more comfortable that my old orange 1 1/2" thermarest. It fits in the chair kit also.”

“2 votes for the Big Agnes Air Core. I picked one up for my last hike and I find it more comfortable than the Therma Rests.

http://www.rei.com/product/47780427.htm?

http://www.rei.com/product/47780425.htm?”

“3 votes for the BA air core. Kamper bought me one for christmas”

“Big Agnes Ba-by.

Light and comfortable ...”

“The package was so small that I was sure it was the wrong item until I unrolled it and inflated it.”

“Big Agnes all the way! It's as good as my bed at home.”

“Big Agnes!”

“Mmmmm new gear. I always like buying new stuff.”

“Anybody use the insulated versions of the Big Agnes? Do they keep you warm sleeping on snow?”

“I use two mats - a full length blue closed cell foam pad, then a 1/2 length Thermarest on top of that. Not as comfortable as my bed at home, but very comfy in the backcountry.”

“made, if your thermarest is uncomfortable, then you are not inflating it to the proper comfort level for yourself.

I don't fill mine up all the way, so it's soft. Between that and my down bag, I sleep just as good as if I were at home.”

“Lipstick dear, I think you should seriously consider looking for a new mattress for your home.”

“It's rated to 15 degrees, but I haven't been out in snow with it.”

“hobbit, I do need a new mattress for my home, so that's why the thermarest and sleeping bag are just as comfortable, lol:)”

“I have the "Insul- Mat" and have been very happy with it. I had a hard time sleeping before that. It gives a lot more cushion. It's very simular to the Big Agnes. During snow camping I put a closed cell pad over it and sleep very comfortable. The secret is to only put enough air to sleep comfortably. Too much air and it's too hard. It also works well in your pack if you just fold it flat against the back of your pack instead of rolling it up and putting it in it's bag. It takes up less space like that and helps to support your pack.”

“Yup, I'm with lipstick and songbyrd. I inflate my (Thermarest) mattress, lie on it and let a little air out until it feels good. It makes a big difference.”

“I still remember my first night on my Thermarest Guidelite 3/4...I slept so good I had dreams...”

“Another vote for the Insul Mat. I've had mine down in the 20s and stayed nice and warm on it. Weighs about the same as my old T-Rest UL full, packs smaller, cost less and is tougher. Why even Backpacker Mag did a test. They paid some dip stick to take out pads and mats and sled down snowy slopes with them and sled them down scree slopes. The Insul Mat went 12 runs down the snow slope and four times down the scree slope before it got a rip.”

“I agree with Nigal - how did this happen??? I love the insul mat. The Exped Dam is warmer and more comfortable, but heavier, a pain to inflate and altogether less convenient than the insul mat. The insulmat also works in my thermarest chair kit and makes a chair more comfortable than with a thermarest inside it.”

“I have the Insul Mat Max Thermo and have been perfectly happy with it. I have used it into the 20s by itself and down to about 10F with a 3/4 zrest. It has performed well.”

“full length Exped down filled air mattress”

“Let Sleeping Matts Lie”

“Thanks for this thread. I have been in the market for a new pad and lighter weight bag. I think I'm going to spring for the Big Agnes system based on all these reviews.”

“Ruby, the 2.5 inches of padding that the Insulmat and Big Agnes pads provide is pure sleeping bliss.”

“pure bliss. I'll let you try mine out in March if ya want Ruby.”

“Cool beans, Hubcap and Sass. If all goes as planned, I'll have both the pad and bag by my next trip in less than two weeks.”

“Anytime your looking for field tested information you can go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/ and find soooo much true field tested good stuff. But I still love my Insulmat. LOL P.S. you can also sign up to be a tester.”

“Thanks so much everyone for all the comments on the mats! I really appreciate it a lot.

It looks like the big agnes is a popular one for sure.
lipstick hiker..I have tried sleeping on that mat with it fully inflated, and only half inflated and it is still uncomfortable.
Lumberzac thank you for the link
hog on ice..I have heard about those down filled mats, are they expensive?
Songbyrd, thats a pretty cool thing that they have where one can test gear, I have heard about people being testers, what a great way to find out if you like it before you buy it.

Thanks again everyone!”

“a bit more expensive than some pads - the one I have these days sells for about $150 - link”