Did you check out the Exped ultra series? I highly recommend the Ultra 3r. They seem to be an overlooked company.
I’m a side sleeper, flip flopper with two blown out disks in my back. Definitely recommend the wide pads regardless. Backpacking sucks without excellent sleep.
Total side sleeper, really glad I have a wide. Def creates some difficulties (my wide pad and my partner's normal pad don't fit side by side in their 2p tent), but Ive been really happy to have the wide after having a normal for awhile. I put a leg out sometimes and roll a fair bit and I have way fewer issues with falling off and being cold. With long vs normal, I'm 6'1 and I'm really happy I went long, esp if I have to sleep on a slope, I don't find myself sliding off or anything as much.
Ultimately sleep system is where I'm happy to carry more weight because I generally feel like better sleep=better hiking, and these decisions definitely reflect that. I don't think you'll regret any decision you make here without a basis of comparison, and if you're hiking hard you'll sleep well regardless, but I've been happy to carry the extra weight.
This is not ideal advice, but it worked for me. I'm mostly a side sleeper at home, and I toss and turn a lot. I then got a regular neoair xlite and sea to summit aerios ul pillow for an 80 day trip. I only inflate my xlite 1/2 to 3/4 of the way and halfway inflate my s2s pillow, and it ends up replicating my squishy mattress for side sleeping at home. It works well. I also sleep on my stomach a lot when using a quilt.
Also, Melatonin is the lightest sleeping pad. I wished i had the wide version of the neoair xlite instead of the regular for a while, but I got used to it, and it's lighter i guess.
everyone loves wide and i followed the herd when i bought my first one. insulated nemo tensor. Big mistake.
* too much surface area, it becomes a massive heat sink under me and is always cold.
* useless extra weight
as a side sleeper you are going to be using even less of the thing's surface area than a back sleeper. that's more of it that you had to haul around for the privilege of it convecting your heat away from you.
i especially wouldn't size up for length since you can just stick your pack at your feet for the extra couple inches you might be able to barely feel.
I've since sized down twice to the "womens" xlite and finally i can stay warm on my side. yeah your arms flop off get used to it. it's fine. tuck em in your shirt if you wanna.
i know it's an unpopular opinion but dammit this is /r/ultralight, don't we care about the weight? plus the wide one literally functioned worse for me because of the sheer mass of air it requires me to heat.
i sleep back and sides
I’m a 6’ tall side-sleeper (and occasionally belly). I sleep on an X-Light *short*. Going heavy means placing a butt pad at my ankles. Going light means my pack is there on dry nights.
I seriously don’t understand the love of other pads. Ultralight is minimalism first, technology second. I’m glad these huge pads aren’t as heavy as they used to be, but that doesn’t make them ultralight (or necessary).
The growing number of people here that try a minimalist approach one time and then start asking about the latest technology to fuel their buying habits is sad.
lol, yeah. im bringing my ultralight queen mattress and my ultralight pull out sofa and my ultralight pop up gazebo and they are relevant to this forum because HYOH right?
there probably should be discussion on whether a weight penalty is worth it for certain functionality benefits, but over and over and over on this forum i hear "yes absolutely get the heavier one it works better, more durable, more reliable" and if you take that advice on every item you end up simply on the wrong forum and can get all of the same advice on /r/REI
i was kinda annoyed that as a newb i came to the ultralight forum for ultralight advice that said yes we swear this is the one to spend ounces on, and i did because well if the ultralight boards are saying put half a pound here it must be important, and it sucked. yes it was fun that it filled my entire 1p tent floor. but it was heavy and i was cold and had no idea why. turns out being warm helps with comfort too
I sleep on my belly and rarely on the side, I’ve got the tensor mummy and sometimes I feel that it’s too narrow. But the weight saving is good, so I’m happy anyway the next day ahah
I think "Regular" inflatable pads are just called that way for gram-counting, and they are not comfortable even for a small man. I am 5'8" and a 21" is quite uncomfortable, and as a side sleeper I kept sliding off it (narrow closed-cell foam pads were ok, but I cannot sleep on those any longer.) I now use 25" wide pads and I am much happier. At your size forget a "regular". And because I am a side sleeper I use two pillows. Right now a Nemo Fillo Elite on top of a Zenbivy pillow case filled with my day-clothes at the bottom.
5’10 here, active side sleeper. I use a long/wide pad, long/wide quilt and not 1 but 2 pillows.
To me, sleep is a critical part of my backpacking. Gives me rest and recuperation from the days miles, and prepares me for the next days miles. I’ll take my weight penalties in my sleep system, and lighten other components of my kit.
Why 2 pillows some ask? As a side sleeper, I have a larger gap to fill between my shoulder and my head than if I slept on my back. One is an inflatable (base) the other a compressible (top)
I’d tried a regular width/length pad and it just didn’t work for me, your mileage may vary.
Using a Nemo Fillo Elite and Thermarest Compressible sized medium. Due to the way the Thermorest is built, it has a ‘flap’ that I can tuck half of the Nemo into so it all stays together. It took several tries including the S2S to reach my current config.
7oz for the compressible in medium. We all make sacrifices in our kits. Some think I’m crazy using a DCF tarp and not a tent. Also go the alcohol stove route. Good thing we all have choices
I'm a side sleeper. Had a regular mattress now a wide mattress. The wide is so much more comfortable for bent legs and arms. Never ever going back to regular width.
I am 6' and also a side sleeper, I went for the long wide pad personally just for comfort and less worrying about waking up off the pad. You can save those few ounces and get a smaller pad but my sleep system is one place I really think twice before cutting weight
I regret not getting the wide on my big Agnes sleeping pad. I mostly side sleep but if I roll to my back, my elbows are on the ground. I ended up replacing it with a wide pad because I hated it
The need for wide pads over regular often depends on baffle direction due to the way the air, and thus pad support, shifts around as weight is applied to a given region. Horizontal baffles are going to be more prone to side collapse (if you shift off-center, air moves to opposite side of the baffle, raising the unweighted side), so folks go wide to keep elbows off the ground or stay on the pad as there is more ‘centered’ space before collapse occurs in wider pad. Vertical baffles, and especially those with the larger/higher side baffles, keep you more centered on the pad (weight in the center baffles shifts air to the head/feet and also side baffles, encouraging you to stay more centered on the pad) and the elbows off the ground. It can be a mixed bag with the alternate baffle designs. Depending on which pad you’re looking at, the Big Agnes pads seem more of a vertical orientation so I suspect a regular width would likely do the job, unless it’s one of the other baffles designs and then you’d have to try it to see how the baffles respond.
As for length, most people who side sleep have a bit of a bend at waist and knees. I don’t expect you’re stretching out to your full 180cm when sleeping, meaning the regular length should be sufficient.
Side sleeper, 5'10, \~165lbs, never tried wide, I always sort of assumed this was for overweight people? I don't recognize myself in any of the problems listed by others here (falling off the pad etc.). I cannot say what you will prefer of course.
Length wise, I have regular, but could get away with much shorter.
I'm 5'10" and a back sleeper. I use a regular wide pad. For length, I think you're fine with a regular unless you sleep on your stomach. On your side, where your legs are usually bent somewhat, I think you'd definitely be good.
For width, often side sleepers don't necessarily need a wide. But I would recommend going to an REI or the like and testing both options to make sure. If that's not feasible, fold a towel to each width and test it out that way. If you feel good at 20" wide, save the weight and go for the regular.
I (and most commenters here it seems) think the opposite - side sleepers need the extra width because you’re more likely to roll from side to side, whereas my mates who sleep on their back don’t and can get away with a regular width.
Fair enough. I don't sleep on my side much, so I was just going off comment memories, but that makes sense. For me, a regular width pad means my arms and part of my shoulders hang off uncomfortably, but I'm also a pretty wide dude. I still recommend they try out both, but ~3oz for a wide is definitely a negligible penalty for good rest
My husband and I have the double set up from Feathered Friends.
It’s a dream. One of the best things I’ve ever spent money on.
It requires two extra long and wide pads. We have the Expeds.
The extra space is lovely. I don’t regret the weight.
I think it might depend on the pad. The rapide has taller outside edges to keep you centered on the pad. That might get a little tight at 20”. I have the regular wide (5’6” tall) and it’s fantastic.
I’m 6’1” and have a regular neoair xlite and short Uberlite. I’m primarily a side sleeper, though trying to do more back sleeping but I don’t remember why anymore. I haven’t missed any extra width or length in my pads but I prefer things to be fairly minimal, so I’d say just the regular regular pad would be fine. But you can always buy it, test it, and return it for the other option if you don’t like it. I really don’t think you’ll need the extra length though.
Side sleeper. Same height. I have big Agnes Rapide sl regular wide. Sometime I roll on stomach and I regret not buying the longer one as my feet hang off dnd and can get cold
I'm an over sleeper. I got a wide. I tend to start to sleep on my side and I'm glad I have a wide. Probably always going to keep it unless I'm going under 10lbs. I'm currently at 10.8 and okay with keeping a wide "heavier" pad.
I haven't seen it mentioned, but something you also need to consider is the room inside your tent. Some tents can be pretty tight and the extra length and width of a pad can cause issues.
Did you check out the Exped ultra series? I highly recommend the Ultra 3r. They seem to be an overlooked company. I’m a side sleeper, flip flopper with two blown out disks in my back. Definitely recommend the wide pads regardless. Backpacking sucks without excellent sleep.
Total side sleeper, really glad I have a wide. Def creates some difficulties (my wide pad and my partner's normal pad don't fit side by side in their 2p tent), but Ive been really happy to have the wide after having a normal for awhile. I put a leg out sometimes and roll a fair bit and I have way fewer issues with falling off and being cold. With long vs normal, I'm 6'1 and I'm really happy I went long, esp if I have to sleep on a slope, I don't find myself sliding off or anything as much. Ultimately sleep system is where I'm happy to carry more weight because I generally feel like better sleep=better hiking, and these decisions definitely reflect that. I don't think you'll regret any decision you make here without a basis of comparison, and if you're hiking hard you'll sleep well regardless, but I've been happy to carry the extra weight.
Just bought also a wide/long one bc of the same reason. Hope I will sleep better for my upcoming hike.
This is not ideal advice, but it worked for me. I'm mostly a side sleeper at home, and I toss and turn a lot. I then got a regular neoair xlite and sea to summit aerios ul pillow for an 80 day trip. I only inflate my xlite 1/2 to 3/4 of the way and halfway inflate my s2s pillow, and it ends up replicating my squishy mattress for side sleeping at home. It works well. I also sleep on my stomach a lot when using a quilt. Also, Melatonin is the lightest sleeping pad. I wished i had the wide version of the neoair xlite instead of the regular for a while, but I got used to it, and it's lighter i guess.
I tried the half filling with my neoair but it didn't really compress it the middle, more to the side, I had to keep balance!
everyone loves wide and i followed the herd when i bought my first one. insulated nemo tensor. Big mistake. * too much surface area, it becomes a massive heat sink under me and is always cold. * useless extra weight as a side sleeper you are going to be using even less of the thing's surface area than a back sleeper. that's more of it that you had to haul around for the privilege of it convecting your heat away from you. i especially wouldn't size up for length since you can just stick your pack at your feet for the extra couple inches you might be able to barely feel. I've since sized down twice to the "womens" xlite and finally i can stay warm on my side. yeah your arms flop off get used to it. it's fine. tuck em in your shirt if you wanna. i know it's an unpopular opinion but dammit this is /r/ultralight, don't we care about the weight? plus the wide one literally functioned worse for me because of the sheer mass of air it requires me to heat. i sleep back and sides
I’m a 6’ tall side-sleeper (and occasionally belly). I sleep on an X-Light *short*. Going heavy means placing a butt pad at my ankles. Going light means my pack is there on dry nights. I seriously don’t understand the love of other pads. Ultralight is minimalism first, technology second. I’m glad these huge pads aren’t as heavy as they used to be, but that doesn’t make them ultralight (or necessary). The growing number of people here that try a minimalist approach one time and then start asking about the latest technology to fuel their buying habits is sad.
lol, yeah. im bringing my ultralight queen mattress and my ultralight pull out sofa and my ultralight pop up gazebo and they are relevant to this forum because HYOH right? there probably should be discussion on whether a weight penalty is worth it for certain functionality benefits, but over and over and over on this forum i hear "yes absolutely get the heavier one it works better, more durable, more reliable" and if you take that advice on every item you end up simply on the wrong forum and can get all of the same advice on /r/REI i was kinda annoyed that as a newb i came to the ultralight forum for ultralight advice that said yes we swear this is the one to spend ounces on, and i did because well if the ultralight boards are saying put half a pound here it must be important, and it sucked. yes it was fun that it filled my entire 1p tent floor. but it was heavy and i was cold and had no idea why. turns out being warm helps with comfort too
I sleep on my belly and rarely on the side, I’ve got the tensor mummy and sometimes I feel that it’s too narrow. But the weight saving is good, so I’m happy anyway the next day ahah
i still have the wide one for sleeping in my car, but going anywhere that "ultralight" enters my thought process? no way!
I think "Regular" inflatable pads are just called that way for gram-counting, and they are not comfortable even for a small man. I am 5'8" and a 21" is quite uncomfortable, and as a side sleeper I kept sliding off it (narrow closed-cell foam pads were ok, but I cannot sleep on those any longer.) I now use 25" wide pads and I am much happier. At your size forget a "regular". And because I am a side sleeper I use two pillows. Right now a Nemo Fillo Elite on top of a Zenbivy pillow case filled with my day-clothes at the bottom.
5’10 here, active side sleeper. I use a long/wide pad, long/wide quilt and not 1 but 2 pillows. To me, sleep is a critical part of my backpacking. Gives me rest and recuperation from the days miles, and prepares me for the next days miles. I’ll take my weight penalties in my sleep system, and lighten other components of my kit. Why 2 pillows some ask? As a side sleeper, I have a larger gap to fill between my shoulder and my head than if I slept on my back. One is an inflatable (base) the other a compressible (top) I’d tried a regular width/length pad and it just didn’t work for me, your mileage may vary.
What pillows are you using? I’ve got the Sea to Summit but wish it had a washable cover.
Using a Nemo Fillo Elite and Thermarest Compressible sized medium. Due to the way the Thermorest is built, it has a ‘flap’ that I can tuck half of the Nemo into so it all stays together. It took several tries including the S2S to reach my current config.
I know those compressible pillows are heavy but man are they comfortable. Kind of makes it worth it to carry.
7oz for the compressible in medium. We all make sacrifices in our kits. Some think I’m crazy using a DCF tarp and not a tent. Also go the alcohol stove route. Good thing we all have choices
You can use a buff as a pillow cover.
I'm a side sleeper. Had a regular mattress now a wide mattress. The wide is so much more comfortable for bent legs and arms. Never ever going back to regular width.
I am 6' and also a side sleeper, I went for the long wide pad personally just for comfort and less worrying about waking up off the pad. You can save those few ounces and get a smaller pad but my sleep system is one place I really think twice before cutting weight
I regret not getting the wide on my big Agnes sleeping pad. I mostly side sleep but if I roll to my back, my elbows are on the ground. I ended up replacing it with a wide pad because I hated it
The need for wide pads over regular often depends on baffle direction due to the way the air, and thus pad support, shifts around as weight is applied to a given region. Horizontal baffles are going to be more prone to side collapse (if you shift off-center, air moves to opposite side of the baffle, raising the unweighted side), so folks go wide to keep elbows off the ground or stay on the pad as there is more ‘centered’ space before collapse occurs in wider pad. Vertical baffles, and especially those with the larger/higher side baffles, keep you more centered on the pad (weight in the center baffles shifts air to the head/feet and also side baffles, encouraging you to stay more centered on the pad) and the elbows off the ground. It can be a mixed bag with the alternate baffle designs. Depending on which pad you’re looking at, the Big Agnes pads seem more of a vertical orientation so I suspect a regular width would likely do the job, unless it’s one of the other baffles designs and then you’d have to try it to see how the baffles respond. As for length, most people who side sleep have a bit of a bend at waist and knees. I don’t expect you’re stretching out to your full 180cm when sleeping, meaning the regular length should be sufficient.
Side sleeper as well. Absolutely get a wide. That is the only correct size for a pad.
Always wide. The regular requires you to be paralyzed in place to sleep in.
Side sleeper, 5'10, \~165lbs, never tried wide, I always sort of assumed this was for overweight people? I don't recognize myself in any of the problems listed by others here (falling off the pad etc.). I cannot say what you will prefer of course. Length wise, I have regular, but could get away with much shorter.
I'm 5'10" and a back sleeper. I use a regular wide pad. For length, I think you're fine with a regular unless you sleep on your stomach. On your side, where your legs are usually bent somewhat, I think you'd definitely be good. For width, often side sleepers don't necessarily need a wide. But I would recommend going to an REI or the like and testing both options to make sure. If that's not feasible, fold a towel to each width and test it out that way. If you feel good at 20" wide, save the weight and go for the regular.
I (and most commenters here it seems) think the opposite - side sleepers need the extra width because you’re more likely to roll from side to side, whereas my mates who sleep on their back don’t and can get away with a regular width.
Fair enough. I don't sleep on my side much, so I was just going off comment memories, but that makes sense. For me, a regular width pad means my arms and part of my shoulders hang off uncomfortably, but I'm also a pretty wide dude. I still recommend they try out both, but ~3oz for a wide is definitely a negligible penalty for good rest
My husband and I have the double set up from Feathered Friends. It’s a dream. One of the best things I’ve ever spent money on. It requires two extra long and wide pads. We have the Expeds. The extra space is lovely. I don’t regret the weight.
I think it might depend on the pad. The rapide has taller outside edges to keep you centered on the pad. That might get a little tight at 20”. I have the regular wide (5’6” tall) and it’s fantastic.
I’m 6’1” and have a regular neoair xlite and short Uberlite. I’m primarily a side sleeper, though trying to do more back sleeping but I don’t remember why anymore. I haven’t missed any extra width or length in my pads but I prefer things to be fairly minimal, so I’d say just the regular regular pad would be fine. But you can always buy it, test it, and return it for the other option if you don’t like it. I really don’t think you’ll need the extra length though.
Side sleeper. Same height. I have big Agnes Rapide sl regular wide. Sometime I roll on stomach and I regret not buying the longer one as my feet hang off dnd and can get cold
I'm an over sleeper. I got a wide. I tend to start to sleep on my side and I'm glad I have a wide. Probably always going to keep it unless I'm going under 10lbs. I'm currently at 10.8 and okay with keeping a wide "heavier" pad.
I haven't seen it mentioned, but something you also need to consider is the room inside your tent. Some tents can be pretty tight and the extra length and width of a pad can cause issues.
If your tent allows it go wide