[pct-l] FW: Sleeping Pads

Wed Feb 16 13:47:50 CST 2011

Guess I should add that I'm also looking for a sub 1 lb pad. I may just end
up slicing a large NeoAir or ridge-rest in half....

On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 11:46 AM, Cheryl Christensen <
cherylbyfaith at gmail.com> wrote:

> Big Agnes has a doublewide pad...
>
>
> On 16 February 2011 11:44, Eric <johner27 at evergreen.edu> wrote:
>
>> 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
>> _______________________________________________
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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