I'm returning my BA Air Core for the 3rd time, and thinking about starting over with something else.

Looking for some reccomendations for side sleppers.

NeoAir.

Neo Air.

The reason I' hve to keep returning the BAs is because of them leaking (however I can never find them even in a bath tub). I don't nessacarily think I'm careless with my gear.

Exped SynMat UL7

Consider using a 1/8" foam pad underneath, such as the pad sold by Gossamer Gear. I might do that myself if I ever get a puncture.

If you are worried about punctures, the nemo astro air is super durable although you pay with it with more ounces.

I too suffered three consecutive BA Insulated Air Core pad failures due to tiny leaks.


My wife and I have each used a Thermarest Prolite Plus for the past two years. Mine is 20 x 47 and hers is the longer woman's model 20 x 66. Both pads are 1.5 inches thick. Works like a charm. Tested and proven by us on the TRT and the CT. Great back pad/virtual frame for our packs. Very comfortable for side sleeping (and rolling). Never leaked.

Try one on the concrete floor at REI. Toss. Turn. Whatever. You can't feel the concrete with shoulder or hip (unless you fall on it that way).

I tried just a Z-rest, didn't work. I tried z-rest plus torsolite, better but still didn't sleep that great. Picked up a Neoair, best sleep in the backcountry to date.

+1 on the Exped SynMat UL7

I still own (and sometimes use) my old, 1984 Thermarest. My wife broke down and bought me the Prolite, which I liked, but my hips got sore from side sleeping. I gave it another week of sleeping and finally broke down and bought the Neoair. I've not had a bad nights sleep since! I did discover a tiny puncture, but I patched it and was back to blissful slumber within minutes.

The size and weight is also a plus...

Another vote for the Neo...

I rotated back and forth this spring between the Exped Synmat UL 7 and the Neoair Xlite. The Neoair, in the end, is enough for me in terms of comfort to weight ratio but the Exped is definitely far more comfortable hip-down, and also larger and sturdier.

Edited by evanrussia on 04/04/2012 20:32:32 MDT.

I've had my small NeoAir since they came out. I had to sent that back as it had a pinhole from the get-go, CD sent me a new one, no issues since. I have a floorless Squall but use a medium weight GG polycryo groundcloth.
Duane

One word. Hammock.

How does a hammock work for a side sleeper? That doesn't sound comfortable at all.

I am a side sleeper and moved to an inflatable Neo Air two years ago. Due to the cost and reliability issues, I bought it at REI. While REI can cost a bit more, their return policy is excellent. My Neo Air failed on a trip last summer with the typical slow leak that was impossible to find in my bath tub, much less find and patch in the field. I returned it to REI and spoke with the staff. They suggested I try the Exped UL 7, as it was appearing to be returned less often then the Neo Air. I know this is purely anecdotal, but I regularly cruise the gear garage at the REI Seattle Flag Ship Store in Seattle, and see a lot of Neo Air returns being sold but never any Expeds. So far so good for my UL 7. I take along a torso pad (a cut down old Z Rest) as a back-up that doubles as my frameless pack's back pad and as a sit pad. When my Neo Air failed in the middle of the Pasayten Wilderness the torso pad was less than luxurious but help salvage my trip.

Edited by nedjursek@gmail.com on 04/04/2012 23:08:27 MDT.

A hammock works for side sleepers as well as it works when there are no trees.

Side sleeping comfort in a hammock depends on the user and which hammock is chosen.....just like CCF pads vs inflatable, etc.

On the ground, Neo.

A lot of side sleepers, myself included wind up sleeping on your back in a hammock. Since it is not like sleeping in a bed with pressure points, you might as well. Try it.

Hammocking for 12 years.

Edited by kthompson on 04/05/2012 07:11:41 MDT.

Another +1 for the NeoAir Xlite or Trekker.