I posted the info below over in the Amok thread and thought it might be of interest to you folks too: The video mentioned was a link to a youtube by Jonas of Amok experimenting with ten pads by different vendors:
I have been sleeping nightly in my hammocktent Gamma UL and lately a Exped Ergo. After several years using Exped Synmats and Downmats I tried a Thermarest Xtherm MAX L last night which isn't in the videos (in fact the only horizontal tube pad was the NEMO). The Expeds work very well, as noted by Jonas. The main reasons I wanted to try the Xtherm MAX was because of the stellar reviews (by ground dwellers), the light weight, how packable they are, the horizontal tubes versus the vertical tubes, and a good resale value if it doesn't work out. My line of thinking is that in a pad pocket the horizontal tubes would provide a flatter surface versus how a vertical tube pad wraps around your body.
I considered the night a success and it seemed the Xtherm did provide a flatter plane horizontally which equates to great side sleeping and less chance of squeeze from vertical tubes. Albeit, I have not had any squeeze (shoulder) unpleasantness except in my WBRR which has since been passed along for others to enjoy. Another observation is the horizontal pads are a great deal more difficult to insert because they can't be readily folded and stuffed. The work around I came up with is to partially inflate the pad, insert it, and do the final inflation to desired firmness once the pad is inside the hammock pad. I definitely plan on giving the Xtherm MAX more experimentation...beginning in an hour or so.
I also had the opportunity to try out a Thermarest Xtherm mummy L when the seller sent me the Xtherm mummy shape instead of the MAX rectangular pad. I did not consider it a good pad to use and ranks way down right next to a Sea to Summit Comfort Light pad of similar shape. The L mummy pads do not provide a good sleeping experience for me, at all
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