Is a short sleeping pad/mat uncomfortable?

[wazzawalkin]

I am interested to hear if people have found short sleeping pads uncomfortable.

In particular for side sleepers,
Do the knees end up on a different level to the torso when compared to sleeping at home and this result in an uncomfortable night?
Or does having less padding for the lower legs, cause an uncomfortable night sleep?

I realise there are a number of options to insulate / support the lower half of the body but some of these will add weight that could possibly be better used in a longer pad.

Thanks
W.

[rogo]

I am only short and I first had a 3/4 mat. Now I have a full length one. As a side sleeper, front sleeper and back sleeper I really needed the full length.

When I had the 3/4 I used anything I could to extend the length but nothing works. Save the money you'd spend on a short mat and put it towards a full length mat. There are some fab mats available. Mine is like sleeping on my bed at home and when I go car camping, that is the bed of my choice. It is a woman's thermarest. Prolight? I don't remember models. And it is smaller and lighter than the 3/4 when compressed. Costs a bomb but cheaper than a physio.

BTW I live in the west ( of Oz) no need for insulation. LOL.

[HitchHiking]

I used a 3/4 Thermarest for a number of years that i picked up somewhere mega cheap. It has lasted and is has my affection but some of the new full lenght offers I just cant go by(unless I'm in my hammock ). The exped stuff is rockin. As are the Neo Airs.
I agree with Rogo -for a bit of extra dosh gets one a lot more comfort in the full lenghts with very little weight gain and bulk now.

[Singe]

I use a 3/4 mat and find it comfortable - and I'm just over 6' with a relatively long torso. I tend to have my pillow (camp clothes in sleeping bag sack) off the end of the mat, with my shoulders to knees on the mat and rain jacket under my legs - works for me anyhow. I tend to sleep either on my back or on my side but with my legs slightly bent at the hips and knees.

[Liamy77]

i'm 6'2" and do the same as singe but i also put a cut down blue foam mat under for colder or shorter walks... just for extra comfort.

[andrewbish]

I use a older Thermarest Trail 3/4. I sleep on my side mostly. I find it comfortable enough, but that said, I have been perving at the Neo Air lately...

[norts]

I use a Exped Downmat7 short and a piece of blue mat for my feet. The closed cell mat is very handy, seat, something to kneel on.
I am pretty short, I have my pillow off the mat.
I like the 3/4 as it also gives me room in the tent when doing "house work" in the tent in wet weather.
Works for me

Roger

[Lindsay]

I used a 3/4 length mat only once and found it very uncomfortable. The 'drop off' from hips to knees and ankles doesn't seem much at first but becomes more and more noticiable as the night goes on. I think the comfort of a full length mat is well worth the little extra weight involved.

[ILUVSWTAS]

NEOAIR 3/4 here.
and no, it's very comfortable

[Orion]

There are two kinds of comfort:
- the one where you're on your back (or side) on the pad
- and the other one where the pad is on your back

The 3/4 wins for the latter case, no question.

For the former... it's not quite as good but I find I can usually put
something down there, like my pack or clothing, to even it out.

For me the 3/4 wins unless I'm camping near the car.


But what about shorter and narrower and thinner options ? ?

[ILUVSWTAS]

And it is smaller and lighter than the 3/4 when compressed.

Not trying to have a go here, but how is that possible?? The 3/4 is smaller than a full length..... isnt it?? Are you saying the 3/4 ones dont compress as well as a full length one? I just dont get that comment.....

[rogo]

And it is smaller and lighter than the 3/4 when compressed.

Not trying to have a go here, but how is that possible?? The 3/4 is smaller than a full length..... isnt it?? Are you saying the 3/4 ones dont compress as well as a full length one? I just dont get that comment.....

I just changed brands and the Thermarest is a better quality mat that packs down better and weighs less than my cheaper chunkier 3/4 mat. I wasn't suggesting that all mats would be the same- just my experience.

Ro

[ILUVSWTAS]

Oh so it's a different model? Well that makes sense, I dont think you mentioned that in your above post.

[wazzawalkin]

Thanks all for your comments,

HichHiking and andrewbush, it was looking at the NeoAir that made me think about ¾ v’s long mats, the regular length neoair is still lighter than my Prolite 4 short. So it raised the question of how to pick regular or ¾.

Norts, Thanks for mention the “house work” very good point which I had not thought of.

If nothing else it seems that some people prefer the full length whilst others are very happy with the ¾ length.

Does anyone have weights for blue mats, particular the thinner style about 3mm thick?

Thanks again,
Wazza.

[ninjapuppet]

I use a shorter airmat when i go packrafting because it fits perfectly onto the floor of the packraft. Though, i think mine is a 2/3 instead of a 3/4.

Dont forget that neoairs also come in regular and medium, in addition to the short and long versions.

[HitchHiking]

http://www.expedlife.com/2011/01/exped- ... w-for.html

[Macca81]

im also a 3/4 user. i have i bit of CCF that is just long enough to go under my feet and that is only for insulation purposes (it doesnt get used in summer) and this doubles as a seat around camp. infact, i only really take it with me for the purpose of a seat, i am more than comfortable enough on the 3/4 without the blue mat (i have back problems and still find it to be fine)

[bluewombat]

I can probably answer this question in about a month. I have used 3/4 mats for maybe 10 years (with the extra bit of foot padding most mention) but the last couple of trips my comfort level has fallen, more hip and knee pain overnight so will switch from my 3/4 exped 7 to a neoair full length for a week long trip next month. I am a little worried I will miss the insulation but we will see
bw

[stepbystep]

I think it comes to whether your a side sleeper or a backsleeper - I'm a sidesleeper and can't tolerate a dodgy length at the knees - I use the neoair regular and are very comfortable with it.
I use a sleeping bag which is rated to -8 so use it as a quilt most nights which adds to the comfort.
As far as housekeeping goes norts has a point, but I just slide my mat back up the wall of the tent to clear out a bit of space, but I also have a dual vestible tent for this purpose.
Guess it's the combo that works for you....

[tasadam]

176cm's and lightweight, I use a 3/4 thermarest and that's fine for me.

[ollster]

I think it comes to whether your a side sleeper or a backsleeper - I'm a sidesleeper and can't tolerate a dodgy length at the knees - I use the neoair regular and are very comfortable with it.

Agreed, but I'm a front/side sleeper generally and I don't like my feet being below the mat, it means my shins/knees are being bent down when I'm trying to sleep - very distracting. 196cm mats in both Prolite4 and Neo Air for me (I'm about 188cms). I've got "child bearing hips", so this probably makes more of a difference for me.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I've got "child bearing hips",

Ahhh Now I see why you have the child seat in your duck balcony photo.

[ollster]

I've got "child bearing hips",

Ahhh Now I see why you have the child seat in your duck balcony photo.

It's not a quacking child seat. I don't know where you get that from...

[ILUVSWTAS]

Oh.
So whats this then??

[wazzawalkin]

Interesting,
My rough count is 5 "full length" mats to 9 "3/4 or short" mats.
I thought it would have been clearer for the shorter mats, but maybe it reflects that the mats are becoming lighter so longer mat weights are not as big. Or maybe the rest of the gear is getting lighter so we can afford to carry more weight in the mat

I can probably answer this question in about a month.

Feel free to let us know what you find.

Thanks everyone for their input
Wazza.

[Macca81]

I think it comes to whether your a side sleeper or a backsleeper - I'm a sidesleeper and can't tolerate a dodgy length at the knees - I use the neoair regular and are very comfortable with it.

also a side sleeper, still find the 3/4 to be quite fine for me. same height as Adam but probably close to twice his weight if he is a "lightweight"

[ollster]

Oh.
So whats this then??

It's a shoe. A Scarpa shoe. You on crack boy.

PS: and my local ducks, of course.

[Liamy77]

Oh.
So whats this then??

It's a shoe. A Scarpa shoe. You on crack boy.

PS: and my local ducks, of course.

your ducks are on crack?!! ... or would that be "quack"?

go have a coffe and another look at the photo iluv!

[ILUVSWTAS]

yeh yeh... just cause your a mod now dont think I still wont tell you to bite me Liam :p

[Liamy77]

i'd be dissapointed if ya didn't!
no point proddin ya if you dont bite after all. lol
btw.... i thought about editing your post to express your "true feelings" towards me n ollster (as imagined by me) but i don't think i'm allowed to do that somehow!?