Best lightweight Sleeping Pad for Winter Alpine Climbing

I'm looking for people's opinions of what I should purchase for the best winter mountaineering sleeping pad. Looking for a temperature rating around 15' F.

Also looking for something that packs down small and is lightweight.

NeoAir Xtherm:

cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-…

The Sea to Summit has 2 independent layers, which will be especially meaningful if you have ever sprung a leak on an inflatable mattress before...

seatosummit.com/product/?it…

Exped Down and Syn mats are nice as well.

If you have the money, you can't really beat the Xtherm.

If you don't have the money, or don't like horizontal baffles (me, both) then check out the Klymit Insulated Static V

If you have some space, consider adding a 40 Below foam floor

Xtherms are warm but after popping two on route I will not use them climbing. Look into Evazote. Warm, high density foam that most importantly will not pop.

rei.com/product/828412/big-…

DavisMeschke wrote:Xtherms are warm but after popping two on route I will not use them climbing. Look into Evazote. Warm, high density foam that most importantly will not pop.

Were you doing open bivies on rocks? I have about 70 nights on mine, mix of rock and snow, w/o issue. I have had partners pop the yellow neo airs, the base fabric on those is a lower denier.

Anything that doesn't need to hold air to insulate. You will eventually get hosed if your only pad is inflatable, guaranteed.

Worth mentioning that small and lightweight runs counter to not needing air to insulate--in other words foam = bulky, heavy but reliable, air = light, small, but could get a hole in it. Definitely a trade-off here. Possible you could get hosed, but also possible to repair them in the field if you know what you're doing.

Yeah, open bivy on rocks and snow. I just find that the more sharp objects you add to the equation, the more likely you are to pop that $200 air mattress you bought. I would rather carry a bit of extra weight and have one less thing to worry about.

I have a TON of nights on my Xtherm and find it to be incredibly durable.

DavisMeschke wrote:Yeah, open bivy on rocks and snow. I just find that the more sharp objects you add to the equation, the more likely you are to pop that $200 air mattress you bought.

Yeah I think you just can't trust them straight on the rocks.
I've always had a really light BD twilight bivy sack that I bring "just in case" (can't trust weather forecasts in the PNW) and use as a ground sheet. It's been good so far, but I can definitely see a problem using it on rough granite bare.

Thin plastic from a hardware store adds some abrasion resistance cheaply for 2 or so ounces also. That's what I've been using for a ground sheet when I bring a tent. You've already got a rope with you though also, just weave that thing in a bed!

For winter I love using a Prolite small in combination with a Z Rest

I just use a Therm-a-rest z-lite in 3/4 length, which isn't quite enough insulation on its own. The key is laying out your ropes underneath it... boom! I also put my pack under my legs.

I bring a piece of tyvek with my xtherm

another vote for x-therm. it's almost cheating.

X-therm and some caution with where you lay your head to sleep. I've never been happier with a pad than the first time I slept on an X-therm in the snow.

Another Q Core (SL) vote. I find the NeoAir pads too noisy and a little too fragile. If you're on snow, the temp will always be right around 32 degrees underneath, and I've found my Q Core handles it quite well while being quiet, durable (for an air pad), and warm enough under a moderate winter bag (Marmot Never Summer).

Not trying to argue just curious the science behind the ground always being near 32*f? I would think it could be much colder than 32*?

James T wrote:If you have the money, you can't really beat the Xtherm. If you don't have the money, or don't like horizontal baffles (me, both) then check out the Klymit Insulated Static V If you have some space, consider adding a 40 Below foam floor

Insulated Static V also comes in a "V lite" option:
klymit.com/index.php/produc…

I've been on an inflatable pad for several years. In the winter, it's nice to have a foam base layer (like the Z-lite or a roll) for the extra insulation. Or you pay for warmth in weight in the sleeping bag. Insulated pads are certainly a new way to tackle the problem for a fraction of the weight and space.

Thermarest prolite ¾ length. A touch heavier than a nano-air but quieter and much more reliable. If the previous generation Prolite was good enough for House on Nanga Parbat, it's good enough for most anyone here.