Hey y’all, I’m on the hunt for a sleeping pad that won’t leave me aching in the middle of the night. I’ve got this old self-inflating Thermarest, and every time I crash on it, I wake up with a serious pain under my shoulder blades. I figure it’s because when I sleep on my side, my spine isn’t staying straight. I’ve heard good things about the Thermarest NeoAir XLite NXT, but not sure it’s gonna solve my problem. Anyone got a pad they love for side sleeping?
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I’m a side sleeper too and I’ve been using the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX for a while now and the extra cushion keeps my spine aligned pretty well. It’s also a bit wider, so I don’t feel like I’m gonna roll off. The XLite was too firm for me, but the Q-Core has that sweet spot of firmness and cushion. Definitely worth checking out.
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The NeoAir XLite is great and all, but yeah, it’s not the best for side sleepers. I’d recommend the Nemo Tensor Insulated. It’s not as noisy, and it’s got just the right amount of cushion for side sleeping. It’s also super light, so no complaints there.
Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated is way better. It’s a little thicker and feels more forgiving when I’m on my side. Plus, it’s got that nice crinkly sound that helps me fall asleep, weird as that sounds.
I can relate. I had the same problem with the XLite—my shoulders were killing me every morning. I’m glad someone brought this up.
Exped Ultra 7R is a bit on the pricey side, but man, the comfort is worth it. My shoulders don’t dig into the ground anymore, and I sleep through the night without waking up sore.
