"this sleeping pad it feels like you are sleeping on a raft"???

I think Spider has inflated his mat too much. I find that my mat is almost slack when most comfortable.

Once you are ready to sleep, before you zip up the bag, reach up and slightly open the valve to bleed off air until the RAFT sensation goes away.

This mat has provided more comfort than any self inflating or closed cell mat I've ever owned.

I bought the 2/3 size and it works great. If you can deal with a pack under your feet you should be fine with a 2/3 size. I am a side sleeper and this thing lets me get a good night sleep without my hips going numb. Like everyone else is saying, the trick is to get all settled and then let 1/3 to 1/2 of the air out so that you settle in and get supported. If you don't you will be sorry. Material is sturdy and tough, but be sure to keep valve threads clear of sand and dirt.

I think it is funny that people are too stupid to realize if you blow it up too much, you are probably going to feel like Huck Finn floating down the Mississip! Like anything inflatable, it is best to release the right amount of air until your body feels most comfortable. This baby has ample insulation that keeps you off the ground and warm. It fits great in a regular size mummy bag and it a MUST own for any sleeping bag or night spent on the ground. Buy this baby with mind at ease...especially for the price. The included stuff sack and repair kit is nice too as it packs to about 10" L x 3" H...easily will fit your backpack.

I researched this pad extensively online before buying, and compared it to the corresponding Thermarest inflatable pad.

I used it on a 3 day bike trip, where size and weight were the primary factors. It inflated easily, and kept my back off the ground. I couldn't ask for much more.

It has a screw valve, which is easy to keep sealed with your tongue while screwing it closed, after you have blown it up. Since I was on a bike tour, it would have been nice to be able to use a bike pump on it. but that wasn't an option

It really does fit into the 3" x 9" stuff sack easily. I don't see how the corresponding Thermarest could possibly be worth nearly 3x as much

Ether Compact Sleeping pad - Regular size. Guess I should have thought about the measurements, but when I got it inflated, it didn't barely provide a base for my north face kilo mummy bag. I didn't slide off of it except for the fact that it was just way too damn small, so unless you are very small or able to sleep absolutely ramrod straight balanced on this thing, don't get it. What part of my body I was able to keep on the pad was pretty comfy; I didn't feel any rocks or hard ground through the pad. I'm a full figured 5'6" female, but I'm not that big; the skinny guy that came on the trip with us said it looked far too skinny for him! :P Inflates pretty easily. The fact that it didn't come close to being the same size as the bottom of a unisex mummy sleeping bag to me means it's too small. I'm going to return this one...not sure if I want to spend $90 for the full size ether pad.

This is the second Pacific Outdoor sleeping pad I've purchased. The other was the red, insulated one. They do, in fact, provide the best night sleep I've ever had on the ground. It may be better than my high dollar "posturpedic" I sleep on at home. The key is, as other reviewers mentioned, is to sleep with the mat not fully inflated. At first I disagreed until I tried it floppy, now
I've felt that less is definately more comfortable than any other sleep
mat I've ever owned, and I've owned them all, looking for a comfortable nights sleep. The insulated version is good down to slightly below freezing before it needs more insulation below it. The reason I bought this one is not only is it featherweight and tiny, but my problem is usually being too warm in my sleeping bag and so letting some cool air under me for summer camping will be a good thing.

The most important feature of this pad that I myself was looking for was its ability to pack extremely small. I am thus far very impressed. It rolls up to the size of a small loaf of bread and is quite light for its large size (I purchased the long pad). In terms of comfort I also have no qualms. After all, this is for camping, and should not be compared to sleeping in a luxury hotel bed. I did have a chance to read some of the other reviews and tend to disagree with the individual who said it's like sleeping on a raft. I could see that if you over inflate it, but to correct the problem all you have to do is let out some air. As an added benefit, they included a patch kit.

I certainly was not disappointed by the fact that this pad lacked the self-inflating option. It is much simpler to just use your own breath. Overall, it's a top notch product and perfect for those looking for something very light and very comfortable. I will certainly recommend it to others looking for a great bang for their buck.

This sleeping pad is very comfortable. I slept great! I would only use it in warmer weather though as I tried it in 30 degrees and it slept cool....so I went out and got the insulated version for Colorado fall and spring.

Light-weight, compact, comfy. My suggestion: blow it all the way up, get on it, then let out a little air till your hips and shoulders sink down and align your spine. Will be the most comfortable you'll ever feel on a sleeping pad.

This is my bed up here in AK, comfy enough for everynight. For sure, leave it a little soft. Doesn't work inside my sleeping bag but the bag is for a very small woman (me) and the pad (regular) is just a bit too big. Good size for easy moving when packed up. Patch kit is standard. The tube structure keeps me from slipping off.

Apart from it being kind of a bear to fully deflate; this pad proved very comfy, light and compact. I recommend it to those that want a happy balance of comfort to price

For me, lighter has always been better so I have suffered with the seemingly micro-thin foam pads that were light but uncomfortable. On one very long trip I even did the unthinkable and went without a pad for the sake of saving weight. I will never do that again now that I've found this sleeping pad. I found this sleeping pad to be VERY comfy! Even sleeping on my side I could not feel the pain on my bones pressing into the ground (as I have with every other pad I've used). I am 5'9 and found that by putting my pack under my feet or a stuff sack under my knees, I was very comfortable and didn't miss the lower-third of padding. I liked mine fully inflated but my husband was more comfortable when he let some air out of the pad. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a good night sleep in the backcountry without having to carry too much weight.

There are a lot of plus factors to this bad and virtually no minuses. First off, Because it packs down so small, I was able to lavish myself with the Long size (20 x 78 x 2.5)when I'd typically purchase the regular size (I'm 6'1") and not worry about taking up room inside my pack. It stuffs in the sack to approximately 11" h x 10" circumference. Please note- I was able to stow the Ether inside of an outer pocket on my backpack. Having this capability for me was huge because I've previously only had a foam roll-up pad which only had the option to be vertically fastened to the outside of my pack on the side or horizontally along the bottom, in the way of your bottom access pockets or requiring way to many straps or even a 'biner to lock those things down. It feels good to put those days in the past.
The valve is burley, strong and easy to inflate and deflate. One of my primary concerns was the valve having fussy attributes. Another of my concerns came after the first night I used it when in the morning I noticed condensation had accumulated inside the pad. Rolling it up and getting the air out was extremely easy and most of the condensation (slept on a covered coal bed) came out of the valve then but after the trip I checked it again and there was zero moisture inside. I also thought the mummy shape would cause me to roll off the pad or be uncomfortable when turned on my side but the side rails are so deeps you are almost "locked" into the pad. The material is tough and durable and can withstand the rock factor. It's smart to have this material to avoid getting punctures, I haven't had any but the repair kit seems easy to use and is small enough to bring with you. I could go on, but in the end I just want to say I really recommend purchasing this pad over some more expensive pads in the same category.

This pad is fantastic. I purchased the 2/3 length pad, as I do not winter camp, therefore a full length pad is optional. It packs amazingly small, about the size of a good burrito (you know the kind). I have spent about 7 nights on the pad now, and they have been the most comfortable I have been in a tent. I have used the "leading pads" out there, and this one is way better, at a great price.

Because of the individual inflating tubes that make up this sleeping pad it feels like you are sleeping on a raft. It also makes it so your weight does not distribute properly so you end up falling off in the middle of the night. It does fold into the size of my fist so it is great for light packing.