I have two pads, one is the old style full length Thermarest pad (one of the originals) and a shorter (25"x48ish) Cabelas pad of the same design (air/foam). I use the full length pad for car camping and the shorter pad for backpacking or warm weather camping.
For strictly backpacking, I'd get the shorter pad if it's lighter/smaller than the Thermasest Ridge Rest.
Chris
I have tried the short pads and just can't do it, I feel like I am sleeping on a ledge. I also spent a week on a thin military pad back when I was a teenager and didn't care for it then either. Up until a couple years ago I did just fine sleeping directly on the ground but know I can't go without a pad, I get cold or wake up with pressure pain from uneven ground and those rocks you can't find when picking a tent site but you do about 2am.
I thought about a thermarest branded pad but I think now you pay for a name tag on it. I like Cabela's xpg because it folds in half and I should be able to stick it in my pack. I like the ridgerest because there is no cover to tear and have to worry about not being able to inflate it. I'm hesitant to buy the closed cell on because of my experiences with the military pad.
-C