[pct-l] FW: Sleeping Pads

Wed Feb 16 13:44:44 CST 2011

Actually 25". I tried it at REI and it works great. However, it's about 160
bucks and it unfortunately bumps the weight up to 19 oz.  I was thinking
about modding it to become a 1/2 pad, but voiding the warranty on a $160
piece of equipment is scary... :(

On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 11:37 AM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:

> The largest NeoAir is 24" wide I think.
>
>
> On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 12:28 PM, Eric <johner27 at evergreen.edu> wrote:
>
>> Both of these are great answers, but I also believe in some comfort while
>> out in the backcountry, and sleep is one of, if not THE most important part
>> of hiking.  I myself am having issues with pads as I have very wide
>> shoulders and the 20" standard for pads nowadays leaves my shoulders hanging
>> off the sides of most pads.  However, as far as comfort goes, Kevin is spot
>> on with the NeoAir suggestion; it's definitely more comfortable and lighter
>> than a combo Ridge-Rest and Prolite.  Probably about the same price total as
>> well.  That's what I would go with to achieve the comfort level that I think
>> you are looking for, or perhaps buy a pad from www.kookabay.com - similar
>> to the NeoAir.
>>
>> Not to hijack this series, but anyone have ideas for those with wider
>> shoulders? I emailed Kooka Bay about a custom one but they haven't gotten
>> back to me yet.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Eric
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 9:30 AM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Another answer... don't sleep on the ground. I switched to hammocks
>>> several
>>> years ago and will never go back. Granted, I don't mind sleeping on the
>>> ground, and bought a new NeoAir for my thru hike, but given the option,
>>> I'll
>>> sleep hanging from the trees ;)
>>>
>>> On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 8:44 AM, CHUCK CHELIN <steeleye at wildblue.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> > Good morning, D.Nielsen,
>>> >
>>> > This is probably not what you want to hear, but you may want to
>>> consider a
>>> > different approach.  As someone considerably older than you I know that
>>> > with
>>> > age the body loses its flexibility and its ability to adapt, but
>>> another
>>> > reason the typical foam pad seems harder is because as the years
>>> accumulate
>>> > we probably sleep on the ground less often, becoming more and more
>>> > accustomed to the decadence of the bedroom.
>>> >
>>> > I have several RidgeRest and Z-Rest pads but I find they are overkill
>>> in
>>> > terms of size and weight.  Instead I typically hike with a cheap-o, ¾
>>> > length, 3/8” closed-cell foam pad.  Insulation is adequate, and
>>> adapting to
>>> > that level of cushioning – or lack thereof -- is relatively simple and
>>> > easy:
>>> > During the months prior to a hike I sleep every night on a carpeted
>>> floor
>>> > rather than in a cushy bed.  When the day arrives that I begin hiking
>>> the
>>> > transition to ground-sleeping on a thin pad is nearly seamless.
>>> >
>>> > Prior to a hike most of us train our legs to hike with a pack;
>>> preferably
>>> > we
>>> > train our lungs to process thin, high-altitude air; we harden our feet
>>> on
>>> > rough trails; we adjust our dining expectations to adapt to common
>>> trail
>>> > food; we carry training packs that often weigh more than our hiking
>>> packs
>>> > to
>>> > develop our shoulders; we probably drink far more water than does a
>>> > sedentary person; and we accept a much lower bar-height of personal
>>> > hygiene.
>>> > In order to save considerable weight, bulk, cost, and frailty, why not
>>> > train
>>> > one’s self to adapt to our proposed sleeping environment?  The typical
>>> > answer is, “Oh, I couldn’t possibly do that.  I need my rest!”
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > Steel-Eye
>>> >
>>> > Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965
>>> >
>>> > http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
>>> >
>>> > http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > On Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 8:28 AM, <dnielsen at djmurphycompany.com> wrote:
>>> >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >  _____
>>> > >
>>> > > From: dnielsen at djmurphycompany.com [mailto:
>>> dnielsen at djmurphycompany.com]
>>> > > Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2011 9:22 AM
>>> > > To: 'pct-1 at backcountry.net'
>>> > > Subject: Sleeping Pads
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > Looking for suggestions on sleeping pads for a back that is going on
>>> 50
>>> > and
>>> > > has some miles on it.  Currently use full length Ridge Rest but it
>>> seems
>>> > > harder all the time.  I am willing to carry a little extra weight on
>>> this
>>> > > item in order to sleep better.  I like the durability of the Ridge
>>> Rest
>>> > and
>>> > > hate to give it up.  Was thinking of coupling a short ProLite  with
>>> it as
>>> > I
>>> > > need the cushion at my hips and chest but need some padding at my
>>> knees
>>> > and
>>> > > want insulation full length. Would like to know if anyone has tried
>>> this
>>> > or
>>> > > have other suggestions, particularly if you are in my age group
>>> and/or
>>> > have
>>> > > back issues.  Thanks
>>> > >
>>> > > _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget
>> us.  ~Henrik Tikkanen
>>
>> “The things you own end up owning you.”* -*Tyler Durden, *Fight Club*
>>
>> "The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a
>> monthly salary."—David Hieatt
>>
>>
>

-- 
Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget us.
~Henrik Tikkanen

“The things you own end up owning you.”* -*Tyler Durden, *Fight Club*

"The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly
salary."—David Hieatt