Looking for some backpacking gear advice here:
I am just starting backpacking; I am a side-sleeper, a light sleeper, thrash about in the night, and generally sleep woes are the bane of my existence.
For my sleeping pad, I got a thermarest all season, size regular. It is 20 inch wide. I could not sleep on that thing. I chose it after reading many reviews, but had not anticipate the width of the pad being a problem.
I returned it and ordered a size large (25 in wide) but am wondering if even that will be wide enough. I would try to get a sleeping pad that is 30 in wide, but that is bordering on ridiculous. I am not a huge guy (5'10.5"; 165 lbs).
I am curious if people have general backpacking sleeping recommendations, gear or otherwise. I will definitely be having a 25 inch wide pad at least. The All Season did seem reasonably comfortable in terms of the feel of the pad, so I am less worried about that.
If the 25 in wide doesn't work out, then I could try either the Klymit Static V Luxe, or the thermarest camper XL. Both are 30 in wide, the former being light weight and the latter being heavier (2+ lbs) but supposedly the most comfortable thing you can have for backpacking.
If it means sleeping comfortably, I am ok with carrying a 2+ lb pad; Hopefully a 30 in wide pad is not necessary.
I backpack with my wife, and we share an REI half dome 2 plus tent; the thing is fairly wide (56 in) and so it could fit me having an absurdly large pad, although not both me and my wife having enormous pads; possibly it could fit a 25 in and a 30 in, but I don't know how precise all of the measurements are.
My last question is, I have traded in my sleeping bag for a sleeping quilt in the interest of less weight and to allow myself more room to thrash about. Any opinions on this choice wrt quality of sleep?