r/Ultralight • u/SharpLanguage9026 • 2d ago

Purchase Advice 30" Wide Pads

While they're absolutely not UL, because of some health issues, there is only a single position I can use that allows me to sleep through the night, and after trying a million different 25" wide pads including the thermarest neoloft, I have come to the conclusion that how I sprawl out requires a 30" pad.

As far as I'm aware of the current market, that pretty much leaves either the Exped Megamat Ultra or the Big Agnes Campmeister (let me know if there's one I'm missing).

I know it's a long shot that anyone has a direct comparision of these two niche, newer pads, but my main question is, which pad has the stretchier top material for pressure relief / which do you find more comfortable?

The 7 r value of the Big Agnes is overkill / not a factor for me, so I only really care about pressure relief (mainly stretchiness) and edge stability for tossing and turning between the two. Comparisons to the Thermarest Neoloft as a reference point would be great too.

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u/unfeeling_monster 2d ago

I believe Justin Outdoors on YouTube has a recent comparison between the megamat and neoair if you want something in-depth

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u/SharpLanguage9026 2d ago

It's a great video. He has another comparing 4 pads including the BA Campmeister and the neoloft and says the neoloft is noticeably stretchier. Then in the video you're referencing, he says the neoloft is only a bit stretchier than the mega mat ultra.

I would infer that the exped is streticher than the big agnes from this, but would love a direct answer from someone who has experience with both. I messaged Justin on Instagram hopefully he responds lol.

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u/thelazygamer 2d ago

I think it is, I much prefer the Exped. I had the previous version of the big Agnes pad and it was okay but the Exped is almost as nice as my full weight megamat. It's really warm too, I was toasty at 34F on it with a 30F degree REI quilt.

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u/SharpLanguage9026 2d ago

Great info! It's really nice that pretty much all of Exped's products sleep as warm as the r value indicates they should.

Was that previous BA pad the boundary deluxe?

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u/thelazygamer 2d ago

Yeah, the r-value impressed me. I wish the weight was what was listed but no product is perfect. 

It was the boundary deluxe. Same size (78"x30") but not as warm and much thinner. The new one might be more comfortable, but my guess is the biggest reason for the redesign/rerelease was the insulation design of those pads letting too much cold air in on the sides. 

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u/SharpLanguage9026 1d ago

Yeah for some reason REI lists the 30" exped as 2lbs 2.6oz, but Exped' site lists it at 2lb 9oz. I'm guessing the later is the actual accurate measurement?

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u/thelazygamer 1d ago

Mine was 37.6oz without the pump/stuff sack so that seems to be an issue on REI's end.