There has been some discussion as of late on lightweight sleeping pads.

I've yet to see anyone post pics on their custom KookaBay pad, or am I just missing them? I'd like to see a few pictures, hear your thoughts, details you would change or not change if you were to order again.

Thanks.

I hope to receive my downmat next week, maybe Monday.

I'll gladly post photos........

I'm interested too. Just received my pillow from Ben today. Tiny little thing!

I emailed Bender a couple days ago asking about an insulated pad and haven't heard back yet. He posted a couple months back that he was working on a revised website which would let us design our own pads but I guess that's still in the works.

I have a Kookabay 60" x 22" synthetic filled pad on order. I hope to get in sometime around Jan. 24th. I will post photos and a quick pre-trip review when it gets here. Here's a vote for an updated website for Kookabay also!

Edited by rp3957 on 01/15/2011 09:28:48 MST.

Robert,

Which synthetic is your pad being filled with (PrimaLoft, ClimaShield, etc)? Also, do you know if baffles are being used in your pad?

Thanks!

Nick

Eugene,
I have two Bender pads, one uninsulated and one insulated. Both are 48" x 20" (with taper to foot end) x 1.5".



I only posted the one picture with both looking identical.

Edited by thomdarrah on 01/15/2011 11:13:48 MST.

I wasn't aware of any choices or differences in the filling other than down or synthetic. I didn't want down because I don't want to hassle with a pump. I know synthetic has some condensation issues also, but they are usually from longer term use and I am only out for, at most 9 nights or so. I really wish that there was more info on the website. I feel like a 'pest' having to e-mail Bender all of my questions.

Great Thom, it looks very sharp. Specs (shell 30D,70D)? Thickness and insulation type? How well does it inflate/deflate?

I have one of Bender's down pads for winter.

Size: 3.5 x 24 x 75 (9 x 61 x 191 cm)
Weight: 27 oz (765 g)
Fill weight: 8 oz (227 g) of 750 goose down

Here is a shot of it last month with a Bask half-bag on it.

Hi folks,

I would be interesed to know whats the coldest temperatures folks have used the R6 pad in and does it allow to use a lighter sleeping bag.

Thanks,

Stephen

Hey Raymond do you have any idea what r-value that mat is given? How do you blow that mat up? I just purchased a exped 9 but I wouldn't mind spending the money for the weight savings of a kookabay.

Hi Eric,

I bought a short R6 Bender pad to replace my Down Mat 9, I have retired the DM9 to car camping and as spare bed if I have more guests than beds.

Cheers,

Stephen

The pad I have coming from Bender is 74" x 24" x 4" with an R value of 6 and weighs 25.8 oz.

I have 2 mummy 24 x 2.5 x 60 pads from Bender - one with (18.4 oz) and one without (12.6) down. I also bought the 2 oz Big Agnes bellows pump from Bender. It takes not quite 5 squishes for me to inflate the down pad and 14 puffs (I'm told my lungs are smaller than normal) to inflate the air pad. The increased weight of the down and the pump are offset by the fact my winter tent is lighter than my summer tent. I love them to pieces.

All really great feedback everyone, thank you. Some of you have full length, partial length, mummy, rectangular, radius edged, down filled, synthetic, lots of variation here.

Ray, Great looking pad, your pad dimensions are generous, very comfy I'm sure.

Kathleen, thanks for the info, your pad closer resembles the pads available from his website currently. Does the 6oz. additional down in your insulated version make a considerable difference for you in comfort and warmth? I know 6oz. is quite a bit of down so I'm sure it raises the R-value considerably, no doubts there, I'm just curious what your real world personal experience between the two pads is, how do they compare?

Raymond,

Are those dimensions for the inflated size? Or empty/flat? Do you stack it with a CCF in lower temps?

Thanks!

someone really should trade Bender some of their web skills for a pad(s) :)

<-- unfortunately that's not me :(

I have contemplated asking him that...

^ please do! :)