NEMO - Switchback Ultralight Sleeping Pad

When I did Baker I brought a closed cell pad (Nemo switch back) and an inflatable (Sea to summit) for comfort and redundancy. You'll be hard pressed to find a new bag that's also lightweight for $200. You'll probably need to see if you can find something used or I would recommend you see if you can rent one.

My Nemo pad is more comfortable than my Purple bed ??

The nemo switchback is a bit more comfortable than the z-lite because it has a different dimple structure. I think the comfort benefit of a switchback is worth the increased price compared to an Ozark trail or aliexpress ccf sleeping pad. Additional recommendations: Others have mentioned short or torso length pads, but these certainly aren't for everyone. You should get a full length pad, use it for a few nights, then trial run using the pad shortened without actually cutting the pad. You can do this by just leaving the pad partially folded and sleeping on the unfolded part. The most trimming you should do from the start is just removing sections that are longer than your height. For example if you're 5'6" and the pad is 6' you can take off a couple sections and still have a full body pad. Going along with this, if you use a pillow, because ccf pads are so thin you can put the pillow off the edge of the pad to increase its effective length.

Yep I bring two pads as well. Although my system is a little bit different in that I use an X-therm combined with a 80x40 1/8th pad as my floor and then can fold it down in an emergency. I'm surprised that worked for you. I know when I had first gotten my sulo I took it down to 22F on snow with just a nemo switchback because that's all I owned and could very easily feel the cold from the pad

a potentially useful trick for side sleepers on ccf: use one of the cut off switchback panels to make either a donut for the hip area or a support for the waist curve, depending on body type. it helped me to place a lightweight pillow (Cocoon microlight stripped down) between the legs.

The first thing you need is a skill: accepting disappointment. If you don’t want to go down the rabbit hole, you must accept that taking a stranger’s suggestion may result in you finding a better item later, and some regret that you didn’t purchase the “best” item first. You must then think: “ok, but I saved myself 15-30 hrs research.”  Complete gear list, 10lb $800 total: https://pmags.com/the-budget-backpacking-kit He also has a 15 lb $300 version  https://pmags.com/300-gear-challenge Cheapest is buying used or discount - check r/ulgeartrade, r/geartrade, and steep and cheap.  My recommendations:  Sleeping pad:  - cheapest is learning to sleep on CCF - Nemo switchback, ridge rest, or similar. Unbeatable value and reliability. (Pads advertise r=2ish. You can stack pads to double this, but folks typically find that foam pads are plenty warm for 3 seasons. Pads seem to sleep warmer than the r-value suggests, due to the way r-value for pads is measured - it ignores heat loss through the sides, which is minimal for thin foam and not minimal for thick air pads.) - lightest for the r-value inflatable is the Thermarest X-Lite NXT - more comfy and not too heavy is the Exped Ultra 5. (5=r-value of 4.8ish) You can buy a mummy-shape (in either regular or long-wide mummy) to cut weight or the rectangle (again in normal or long-wide) if you like to sprawl.  Sleeping bag:  I bought mine used, learned to wash it. It was a good learning project. 

> isn't the backpack under the legs too uncomfortable? I don't think it is. A frameless pack is just a few layers of fabric when it's empty > Isn't the thickness too different from the ccf? Nah, Switchback or Zlite is 0.9" tall before it's compressed with your body weight. You'll hardly notice the difference. It's way more noticeable with torso-length inflatables, which I also sometimes use. > And isn't the backpack too little insulation? Depends on the temps. Yea your legs will be colder than your torso. It works for me at least to freezing. But you can cut the pad a bit longer to cover your thighs if needed.

Try cutting a Nemo switchback in half and adding it either under or on top of your tensor to give your back a bit more cushion. It doubles as a sit pad.

I use 6 panels of Switchback. It goes from my shoulders to upper thigh. It's all you need in the summer. For colder conditions, I bought the short (5'6") Xlite. I'm 5'10". Weight savings are worth it.

Start with a megamat duo that will fit you and your wife for family/cub camping. You can use it solo when kid gets to scouts BSA. I recently bought a sea to summit backpacking pad and a nemo foam pad to use (hypothetically while backpacking)but also while car camping solo because the megamat is ridiculous solo.

Besides the pad (I have a Nemo), consider putting whatever extra cloth-like material you've got into a stuff sack (I often use the one for the tent, but sometimes just roll things in a fleece) and put it between the knees.

I’m not sure there’s a best one per se, there are a lot of equality pads out there and the one that best fits you and your needs might be the right choice for you. My favorite is Exped but I love my Nemo’s as well. My personal opinion tho is that you have nowhere to go but up. After fifty plus years of buying and using outdoor gear I can say that I actively despise only one brand, Klymit. And that’s all I have to say about that.

The therma rest and the nemo both haven't high r-value to size to weight ratio. so if you're a to pack light and super warm and want a large pad those are the best options plus they have good valves. Big agnes makes a comfortable as hell pad, it weights about the same as the the other 2 but its r value is about 4. Not bad at all, I sleep cold so i like the warmer matt, the the BA is the most comfortable inho. Alps mountaineering also makes a couple of good ones, but the valves aren't as nice.

I don't find it a hassle at all to slide 6 panels of Switchback into my pack. It acts as a competent framesheet for a frameless pack

We recommend a closed cell foam pad, as they are nearly indestructible and take no time to setup. The Nemo switchback is a good option and would last your scouts entire time in the program. We never recommend inflatable sleeping pads for scouts, as they are generally tough on their gear.

I have sea to summits, big agnes, and nemos for the fam. It all depends on the person.

Reducing the pad length is a lot better for comfort than reducing the pad thickness. I chop my Switchback down to only 6 panels, which goes from my shoulders to my thighs. Definitely more comfortable than thinner foam. 1/8" foam on its own is only barely better than nothing. I just put my pack under my legs.  6 panels of Seitchback fit perfectly in the back of my Palante V2, and make for a pretty decent framesheet. It weighs ~5.9 oz Edit: this is such a refreshing comment section, and I've never felt so among friends here before haha. Where are all you people when I'm lone-wolfing it on the constant inflatable threads?!

I used the switchback my whole hike and, in the end, the only thing I was really jealous over was comfort in the shelters. Never could get used to sleeping on the hard planks with the switchback, so I just tented in all but the worst weather.

I’ve had it about a year I think. I had the previous version too the insulated. Both in regular wide. Before these I had an Xlite and a S2S ultralight insulated. The Nemo is more comfortable than either for me.

Careful about buying used zlites/switchbacks. Eggcrate style CCF pads do have a lifespan, will lose their supportiveness over time, and it's hard to tell via pics. The seller might not even realize that it's lost its supportiveness, since it happens slowly over time. Personally, I wouldn't buy a used eggcrate style CCF pad I can't touch and feel, even from a reputable, standup seller.

Assuming you are attempting to go ultralight — else why post here? — you should be looking for the lightest pad that is appropriate for the target conditions. Since your intended use is summer, you don’t need a high r-value pad. Getting one would only add unnecessary weight. It will also cost more than a closed cell foam pad, and you mentioned cost as a consideration. So I’d suggest you get something like a Nemo Switchback, cut it down to six panels (about 170g / 6 oz), and *learn* to get comfortable sleeping on that. Comfort is not a fixed point, but can be achieved with a proper mindset and a willingness to practice. You are going to get a lot of non-UL advice on this subreddit, despite the stated focus. (A tell is that they don’t mention weight when making a recommendation.) Don’t spend money on a heavy pad that will move you away from your assumed goal of going ultralight. If you really want an inflatable, look at the Nemo Tensor Elite (240g / 8.5 oz). That’s the lightest inflatable option currently available and is quite comfortable.

Up vote for the Nemo. Most used wedding present.

Glad you had success with it! I was super hyped about it from all the accounts of its comfort. Right now my “light” ground sleeping loadout is a klymit insulated paired with Nemo switchback (most comfortable combo I’ve found outside of self inflating) with tarp and bivvy. If I’m going less than 8 miles for an overnight and either the weather is extreme winter or I have a camping partner I haul my stupidly heavy mondo king pad and split the weight of the 3 man tent between us. Been leaning towards just going fully back to my hammmock but I think I’ve determined that I need an open cell/self inflating style pad to prevent hip pain on the ground.

Buy once cry once. Thermarest, Nemo, Sea to Summit. They make the best small, lightweight, comfortable pads.

I really encourage you to think outside the box here, and reconsider the answers you've gotten so far. This thread so far is 100% indistinguishable from a thread on a non-UL forum. If you are only camping in warm weather, and you're prioritizing weight and durability, then you do not need an inflatable. You'll be committing to a relatively heavy and fragile piece of gear for no reason. And the R values you're looking at are hugely overkill if you'll never go below 5C and you sleep warm. You're the perfect candidate for a foam pad. Cut a ~1 inch thick CCF pad with R=2 to fit your shoulders to your thighs. It will be like 5-6 oz, it will last forever, it will be cheap, it will be comfortable, it doubles as a luxury sit pad, you can stretch out on it, and it can be a framesheet for a frameless pack. If you've only ever tried shitty CCF, try a Switchback or a Zlite. If you really want to prioritize comfort, consider this; an inflatable that even remotely compares in weight to CCF will leak. It's not if, but when. And then you're sleeping on the ground until you make it back to town.

Yeah. I don't regret getting a fancy Nemo pad because it's at least light and warm, but I've still never had a good night on one. 

I returned it to REI and got a Nemo

I have cut various CCF pads down to 6- 10 panels and just take whatever I think I will need. My go to is mostly the Nemo Switchback. If the ground is especially hard,I triple up my GG thinlight if I have it for under my hips, or if no thinlight put my puffy under my hips if they are feeling a bit tender. The Switchback is fine on its own though in most situations. I am a female side sleeper :-) The simplicity of CCF is bliss.

I have an Apex MYOG quilt and a cut down Nemo Switchback for my dog. I carry a Switchback for myself as well, so I don't have to worry about it popping due to his nails. I recently picked up an Xmid 1p fly from Durston gear to use as our tent.

I cut one down and sewed it to my extra long crazy creek so it’s a 3/4 pad and seat.

Yes that's a popular one. I have it. Only ran it once but I may need to again. It was pretty hard on my back, but I survived. Might've been better had the ground been grassy rather than dirt. The only perks I can give it are that it's light, won't pop, and my arm didn't go numb.

The issue I have with the Neoloft is it makes my shoulder numb. I spend most of my time on my side, but I toss and turn like crazy. I was playing around with the inflation level but so far haven't solved the numbness issue. Other than that, I agree with you it's probably the most comfortable pad I've yet tried. The Big Agnes Divide is very good and weighs about the same. Both these pads are just under 2lbs if you get the Wide version. This one has vertical baffles that I think work better for me, especially as a very active sleeper to keep me centered. No numbness. I have a CCF Switchback that I only used once without much grass under it. It was hard on my back and pretty much makes side sleeping impossible. I want to try it again with some taller grass underneath to pad it. There may be some times where the weight savings are worth.

I’d check out Klymit or Nemo sleeping pads, they’re more affordable than Thermarest and still super comfortable and packable. We’ve had ours for a few years now with no leaks or issues.

Just used the Nemo for the first time last weekend on the AT, slept on my side half the night and it was a night and day difference compared to my old zrest pad. So much more comfy. Held air incredibly, you can blow it up and make it very firm or leave it a little softer. Didn’t leak at all overnight. Wasn’t cold at all either but it was only in the 40s, so not a good test yet on that end. No experience with others listed

I've used a Nemo Switchback down to 20°F without issue and disagree with others saying it's only suitable for summer use and not 3 season use. Inflatable pads are more comfortable, but more expensive and can be popped. If you're the type to take good care of your gear, you'd likely be happier with an inflatable. I am not and have popped multiple inflatables before, so I'll stick to my Switchback.

I use this, it’s not as cushy, but it is way less noisy and you can’t roll off. It’s always give and take with sleeping on the ground. You could try hammock camping if it’s an option. Colder on your booty, but way more comfortable for me.

I have the amazon version of the walmart pad (stansport) and with the buckles/straps cut off and the length trimmed to knee length, it’s 240 grams for $18.  I haven’t had one of the ozark trails out of the packaging but I wonder how much of the listed weight is in the straps and extra few feet of length that are unnecessary.  You can probably make most of that weight savings for $0 and five minutes with a utility knife.    I also have a nemo switchback which, when cut to the same length, weighs 278 grams for about $50.  The switchback is marginally more comfortable but slicker than snot so I end up repositioning more.  Still have not decided which I prefer. 

I'm just saying all the ccf pads are essentially the same. Yes the decathlon one is better value than the thermarest or Exped or nemo.

I usually bring a nemo folding CCF pad, not too much bulk and lighter than most inflatables. Its slightly lower profile than the thermarest, but simultaneously thicker to sleep on (due to the spacing of the bumps). Occasionally for sustained technical climbing I’ll bring a torso size 5mm evazote pad, weighs close to 120g. It kinda sucks to sleep on, but combining it with sleeping on top of my pack it’s workable. It’s hard to be careful with an inflatable on a sustained route, as bivy sites are often limited and rocky.