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Most Comfortable Air Mattress

J. Broussard · · CordryCorner · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 50

Mondo King 3D XXL
Mostly fills the 2 person tent.

Used this for riding the Kokopelli and it was more confortable than being at home. Best $240 I've ever spent considering how much I actually enjoyed the ride. We did it in 3 stout days.

Brian L. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 90

Have you ever considered hammock camping? Many people with back issues find the hammock much more enjoyable than the ground (well, most people find the hammock much more enjoyable), and that their back isn't aggravated by it.

Everything you ever wanted to know, and some things you probably didn't, about hammock camping can be found here: hammockforums.net

tothewoods.net is also a very good beginner resource, although a little dated now.

Also a great resource: theultimatehang.com
particularly theultimatehang.com/hammock…

Ken Noyce · · Layton, UT · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 2,648
kurt gregory wrote: thanks rick, I have that at home but unfortunately it wont fit in my tent
It sounds like your problem isn't needing a more comfortable pad, but needing a bigger tent;)
Vanilla Drilla From Manila · · Goiter, CO · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 50

Exped gets my vote as well, most comfortable car camping mattress period.

Jim Fox · · Westminster, CO · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 50

How about sleeping on a crash pad?

Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156

so after doing some more digging im going to give this a try.
rei.com/product/870761/rei-…

it should fit in my existing tent and has 6" of depth which is more what I was after.

Tapawingo Markey · · Reno? · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 75
kurt gregory wrote:so after doing some more digging im going to give this a try. rei.com/product/870761/rei-… it should fit in my existing tent and has 6" of depth which is more what I was after.
Buy REI gear and you get REI quality - especially at that price point. With inflatable mattresses it's not about the thickness so much as to the construction and how the mattress holds it's shape once inflated. Let us know how it works out, I'd be interested.
Forthright · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 110
kennoyce wrote: It sounds like your problem isn't needing a more comfortable pad, but needing a bigger tent;)
beat me to it
James T · · Livermore · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 80

REI doesn't mention if it has any insulation, but if it doesn't then it's just a giant heat sink and you'll be cold if it's cold.

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

www.outdoorgearlab.com/Camping-Mattress-Reviews
The Thermorest seems like the best option, especially if you fabricate some sort of a dirt cover

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

If you need 6" of mattress to make it through the night, the problem is not something that a mattress can fix.

Focus on getting your back healthy. It sounds like you already are to a certain extent. I believe that is the path to follow to ultimately be comfortable.

I don't have a herniated disc but I do have all sorts of whacky stuff with my low back. I actually discovered that a firmer sleeping surface is better. It took several days, maybe longer, for my back to adapt to it but I've had a much better back since. Look into it.

For home, I've got the stiffest mattress that Denver Mattress makes, I like it. For camping, I've got a single thermarest with 1/2" of stiff carpet padding underneath. I sleep great. 4 years ago I couldn't even sleep in this setup without a bottle of ibuprofin before bed.

I'm not going to go over your chiro's head, just keep up with him. Ultimately a better back is your best solution.

Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156
highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion wrote:If you need 6" of mattress to make it through the night, the problem is not something that a mattress can fix. Focus on getting your back healthy. It sounds like you already are to a certain extent. I believe that is the path to follow to ultimately be comfortable. I don't have a herniated disc but I do have all sorts of whacky stuff with my low back. I actually discovered that a firmer sleeping surface is better. It took several days, maybe longer, for my back to adapt to it but I've had a much better back since. Look into it. For home, I've got the stiffest mattress that Denver Mattress makes, I like it. For camping, I've got a single thermarest with 1/2" of stiff carpet padding underneath. I sleep great. 4 years ago I couldn't even sleep in this setup without a bottle of ibuprofin before bed. I'm not going to go over your chiro's head, just keep up with him. Ultimately a better back is your best solution.
my back is a lot better than it used to be but I still get pressure points with my current set up causing me to toss and turn all night resulting in little sleep. doesn't matter how soft or firm my set up is. the only thing I know is my memory foam home mattress gives me a good nights sleep which is both firm and soft at the same time.
so since I don't know what my ideal set up is im just trying one air mattress after the next until I find what works.
Tim Sherry · · Portland, OR · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 551

Check out the Sea to Summit pads.

Vanilla Drilla From Manila · · Goiter, CO · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 50

As an aside, does anyone own a neo-air and do you like it??

Tapawingo Markey · · Reno? · Joined Feb 2012 · Points: 75
kurt gregory wrote: my back is a lot better than it used to be but I still get pressure points with my current set up causing me to toss and turn all night resulting in little sleep. doesn't matter how soft or firm my set up is. the only thing I know is my memory foam home mattress gives me a good nights sleep which is both firm and soft at the same time. so since I don't know what my ideal set up is im just trying one air mattress after the next until I find what works.
Instead of spending more money trying one mattress at a time you should just bite the bullet and get an exped. I really doubt a $90 REI pad will fix your problems, might as well go to Walmart and get a Coleman.
Nick Drake · · Kent, WA · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 651
Dirt Squirrel wrote:As an aside, does anyone own a neo-air and do you like it??
For carrying with me on overnights/bivies yes. The xtherm does have a great r value for it's weight, very nice on snow.

If you roll around a lot at night it does crinkle, when you have a hat/hood on that doesn't matter. If your tentmate is a light sleeper it might.

For car camping I would ideally have one of the self inflating pads that has foam in it, is heavy as hell, and a lot bigger so I can roll around more comfortably.
jdejace · · New England · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 5
Dirt Squirrel wrote:As an aside, does anyone own a neo-air and do you like it??
I have a 3/4 length Xlite for 3-season and a large Xtherm for winter. They are incredibly light/compact for the level of comfort and warmth they provide. My small Xlite weighs less than the thermarest foam pads, and I can actually get some sleep on it. As above there's cushier stuff for car camping.
Andrew Gram · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 3,725

Best night's sleep I get outside is a paco pad laying on a cot. Obviously car or river camping only, but i sleep as well on that as i do on my bed at home.

Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

An obvious problem making sure it doesn't get punctured, but this looks promising.
en.laybag.com/

Kurt G · · Monticello, UT · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 156

so after some additional research and for those of you who mentioned exped, I decided to order the synmat 12.

cdn2.exped.com/sites/defaul…

at 4.7 inches thick I think this is my best bet. im going to put my 1 inch memory foam on top and hopefully this will do the trick.

thanks for everyones input!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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