I have been bikepack racing for a few years. I have been using a nemo foam pad that I strap to my bar bag. I have it cut to the length of my shoulders to my tailbone. This works fine for warmer races, despite not loving where I keep it on my bike.
In March I’ll be racing Doom for the 3rd year in a row. Last year it got into the 20’s at night and my legs were beyond cold. I tried to ball up my body to get on top of the pad, which is tough in my bivy. Needless to say, I didn’t get much out of my couple hours of sleep. At this point I’m air pad curious. I want to find something light, but more importantly I want to find something fast and easy. I’d like to use as little time and lung power setting up and breaking down camp. I also tend to be rough on things which is why I’ve stuck to the foam pad so far.
I would love to hear suggestions. I’m not too worried about the price, I just want the best option for me.
Thanks friends!
by Sonofhandsomeguy
6 Comments
Can’t speak from a racing context, but I’ve got 2 different inflatable sleeping mats that I’d vouch for. NEMO Tensor Trail Ultralight to save weight and bag space, but I do find it thin for side-sleeping and I’d expect it to be under-insulated for colder conditions. Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated packs larger and heavier, but it’s now my year-round option due to the additional comfort and R value. It’ll still take up less space than your foam pad.
I carry a little Flextail camp inflator for blowing up my pad – inflates in like 30 seconds, I’ll also use it to deflate just to get all of the air out, avoids humid breath causing mold inside the pad. I’m tent-camping, and the inflator doubles as an LED lantern inside my tent, which is especially handy as I’ll often wake before the sun.
thermarest xlite or xtherm with a flextail zero pump
there is no better weight to warmth to comfort than those two. the nemo tensors are less noisy but they’re heavier. not any more comfortable imo.
It’s pretty hard to beat the Thermarest NeoAir XTherm for weight-to-insulation ratio. It is a little crinkly when you move, but you can feel your bodyheat being reflected back towards you on cold nights. Looks like REI has it on sale in the reg-wide size for $155 right now as well.
Thanks for the suggestions! I have some money to spend at REI, I’m going to go check these out.
I have an older (noisier) NeoAir Xlite, the new Tensor Elite, and the new Tensor Extreme. I’d go for the Tensor now since it’s more plush and warmer while still being very light and small. The Tensor Elite is also awesome and smaller/lighter but not as warm but could work if you run on the warmer side.
Continue using your foam pad, but add an Xlite in the smallest size that works for you on top of it.