Smoke,
An X-Therm and the Ridgerest combined weigh 30-35 ozs. And regardless where you're carrying it, it's still bulk on the pack.
When I backpack hunt I already have my daypack and my bow/rifle that sticks out and makes things awkward,, I don't want more "swing weight" adding to the inertia!
Sounding like a veritable curmudgeon here, but with tents, sleeping bags, packs, and stoves, over the past 25-30 years so much of this stuff is as much a sideways move with the tradeoffs involved.
Casey
Casey, totally get what you're saying. But a decent night's sleep is a pretty big deal to me, and it's been an issue lately. I started in the 70's with a thin foam pad; I paid my dues <g>. I'll find ways to offset the weight/bulk, or just eat it and know that "I'm sleeping ok tonight". Or that's the hope here.
