Yes, there's a SHORT learning curve with the inflation method. Very comfortable, long enough for 6'5 grandson, and holds air for multiple nights. Only tested during warm weather, R value 2.2. Another version has R of 3.2. Highly recommend!

Yes, there's a SHORT learning curve with the inflation method. Very comfortable, long enough for 6'5 grandson, and holds air for multiple nights. Only tested during warm weather, R value 2.2. Another version has R of 3.2. Highly recommend!

I've had the opportunity to use this pad on a two night trip, and it performed very well. It is not the most comfortable pad out there (very firm), and letting air out won't help since it's thinner than many others on the market, at 2.5 inches. But it is incredibly stable. I've had issues with more comfortable pads putting too much pressure on the sides of my legs (I'm an 80% side sleeper), but this pad doesn't push excessively on any area of my body.

Not sure what the "IRREGULAR" problem is with the pad I received since they give no indication (the xtherm I also ordered came covered in something like glue), but this one definitely had plenty of scuffs and marks all over it.

One nit pick though; We recently purchased a number of different pads from different manufacturers for my partner and I to try out. It doesn't matter if they're firsts or seconds, Therm-A-Rest does not label their pads, and it's totally annoying. There is no indication ANYWHERE of what length or width the pad is, not on the pad itself, not on the carry sack. This makes it extremely difficult in our house to figure out which pad is whos. Obviously we'll have to make our own markings, but it's annoying.