I have an Exped UL7 but have thought about going back to a Ridgerest for simplicity. No worries about it deflating and having to blow it up and roll it back up in the morning. I know it's not nearly as comfortable but wanted to hear what others have done. I have used one in the past so I know I can sleep on it, I mainly just do over nighters in the desert.

In my opinion you have two very different sleeping pads and so the trip you take them on should be very different. I have inflatable pads for certain nights where i know the terrain and can be rest assured not to pop it. I have a thermarest for the times I have to set up on a rocky terrain and don't want to worry about the possible pop.

Then again, could ditch all and go with a gossamer gear pad with a kooka bay inflatable(down if need be). Bring the pad when just rocky, bring the inflatable+goss when rocky and cold, and bring the inflatable when not rocky and warm (unless you got the down version)

You know what would be best for your gear

I use a three quarter thermarest ridgerest coupled with a full length GG Thinlight outside the bivy for extra comfort and protection against puncture from sharp grass or stones. If I need less bulk, I will use an inflatable, again three quarter length with the thinlight. I used to use a warmlite dam, but the hassle of blowing it up and the height in the shelter were a negative for me. The ridgerest keeps things simple. A great pad, in my opinion, when coupled with the thinlight.

I think my Ridgerest is pretty versatile and just as comfortable as a 1" inflatable mat for me. I bought the full length Ridgerest and cut it in half so I have two 36" long pads. For light trips I only bring one, for cold trips I bring both. I overlap them at my hip to give me twice as much padding which makes it a little more comfortable since I sleep on my side and its still long enough to insulate my feet. The biggest drawback is that its pretty bulky to pack.

Adam

Why not just throw a piece of tyvek under the Exped UL7 for protection? For a one ounce penalty you get a much more comfy night's sleep.

i like a zlite but recently switched over too a nightlight torso combined with a full length thinlight pretty comfy if you pic a good spot. i also have a exped ul7 and a neoair small i am most likely selling both though. i like simplicity and the support the foam gives my pack.but my ul7 and neoair are sure comfy

I switched from a Prolite Plus (1.5" thick) to a 3/4 Ridgerest when lightening things up, I like that it makes a good pack frame and really like being able to sit on it anywhere. But I do not sleep as well on it, even with some "landscaping" I still wake up a lot to switch positions. I have tried it all summer and decided I will be switching to a prolite (1" thick) torso length at 8 ounces. Then either putting the original foam pad back in the pack at 1 ounce, or using a small piece of Ridgerest at 2 ounces for sitting on. It may compromise the pack frame a little.

Do most people sleep with their heads on or off the sleeping pad?

Oh man, Ridgerests were the reason why I hated camping and my parents for bringing me camping when I was about 11.

love my 3/4 ridgerest, had it for about 6 years and use it everywhere. I've bought 3 or 4 other pads and have always gone back to the green tube for the simplicity (pack frame) and weight. I don't really feel like blowing a pad up most of the time (i know, its not a big deal... to most people) and I also don't want to worry to much about punctures (having to carry something else just to carry something? no thanks)

The new Nemo Zor 48", however, has me thinking about a new pad. 48" (at 6'5", 36" pad doesnt cut it for me), self inflating, 8 ounces, sexy yellow color.

I'll add that as a side sleeper, 3/4 length NeoAir is a no-go, to much drop for me.

This is such a matter of preference i don't know why I'm adding anything at all :P