View Full Version : Which Thermarest Sleeping pad to get for my hammock?
I'm thru-hiking in 2012 with an early March start. I have a 15 degree bag, fleece liner, and hennessey hammock. I'm trying to decide between the prolite regular, prolite plus regular, and both in large sizes. Does anyone have experience with these sleeping pads? Does the plus make a huge difference insulation wise? Should I just get regular in one size and use a foam pad across my shoulders, or is a large worth the weight?
Thanks
Are you using an underquilt?
Just wanted to add that I'll be watching this thread as well. I'm a pretty scrawny guy, at 6'0 150lb, but I slept on my lady's womens thermarest and even that smaller size seemed highly adequate compared to the foam pad I've always used. IMO for my size - I will probably be purchasing a prolite regular. More experienced members can comment further I'm sure, but I slept like a dream. Currently looking to find a sale. Hell I'd buy a womens if I found the right deal. Just my $.02
No Underquilt. Planning on going to ground the first month on really cold nights. The reason I'm considering a large is because the regular is too narrow for my shoulders in a hammock.
I've used a variety of pads in a hammock - IMO a closed cell foam pad worked better than any of the other pads I tried for a few reasons - 1. you can easily trim a CCF pad to shape it for a hammock, typically I would cut the top left and bottom right corners so that the pad would not dig into the sides of the hammock and as a result roll up around me as I slept; 2. I never had to worry about punctures or valve failure causing the pad to go flat - a significant possibility on a long hike
IMO the best pad I used was an army surplus CCF pad because the cell size was smaller than the typical blue CCF pads
to handle the cold shoulder issue I would typically stuff my rain gear or other extra clothing around my shoulders - this works fine for me but it does make getting into the hammock to be more of a production (ie more stuff to arrange in the hammock) than with the underquilt that I now use
Doc Mike
11-16-2011, 10:01
I've used a variety of pads in a hammock - IMO a closed cell foam pad worked better than any of the other pads I tried for a few reasons - 1. you can easily trim a CCF pad to shape it for a hammock, typically I would cut the top left and bottom right corners so that the pad would not dig into the sides of the hammock and as a result roll up around me as I slept; 2. I never had to worry about punctures or valve failure causing the pad to go flat - a significant possibility on a long hike
IMO the best pad I used was an army surplus CCF pad because the cell size was smaller than the typical blue CCF pads
to handle the cold shoulder issue I would typically stuff my rain gear or other extra clothing around my shoulders - this works fine for me but it does make getting into the hammock to be more of a production (ie more stuff to arrange in the hammock) than with the underquilt that I now use
perfect advice.
Another +1 for the closed foam pad
I use a blue one I got at Meijer ( I think).
I cut all four corners to be round, which makes it fit better in the hammock (WBBB in my case), plus it works great as sitpad for lunch breaks
Buffalo Skipper
11-16-2011, 10:11
You may also consider an SPE. That is a segmented pad extender, a lightweight sleeve which hold not only a main foam pad but also a cut down pieces as "wings" which wrap around your shoulders. It really helps keep your sides warm and cozy with only a few ounces of weight penalty. It is something you can make yourself.
I use and underquilt. Never had to go to ground for temperature or any other reason. Any pad in a hammock is going to reduce the comfort of the hammock. Underquilts are for me by far the most comfortable and warmest option. I am good with my setup to below 20°. When it is warmer (like it will be this weekend on the Pinhoti Trail), I just vent the UQ a little.
Just my 2¢
I ordered the newly published Hammock book and he had a tip on pads. Buy a Closed cell full length pad from Wall*Mart. Then (I'm forgetting the cut dimensions, maybe cut it at one third length). Turn that piece sidewise and that is under your shoulders and torso. Put the other piece in just below that. It won't reach down to your feet, but that is OK. Then, use an UQ also. If you still have cold feet, use socks, or even then get a smaller piece of even bubble wrap to slide in under your feet. This was all assuming a double layer hammock so you'd slide this stuff into the "pocket". The CCF would sort of form a "T" with the top of the T, being under your torso.
...you may find it useful to put the"sit pad" part of your foam insulation right in the foot box part of your sleeping bag. keeps it from moving out of place, and keeps getting in and out of your hammock a bit simpler.
Tom Murphy
11-16-2011, 12:42
IMO you may find yourself going to ground a lot at the beginning and end of your hike. If you can afford it, an UQ is a much better solution than a pad.
Even with an UQ, I keep the the "go to ground" option as an emergency strategy, especially in the winter. In that scenario, the snow cover and tree boughs would be my bottom layer and the UQ would become a second layer TQ.
Is there a UQ for my hennessey ultralite asym backpacker hammock? I've been looking and haven't found one.
Buffalo Skipper
11-16-2011, 14:06
Most UQs will fit that hammock. If you are interested in an UQ, consider a Hammock Gear or Jacks R Better. You may also use a KAQ, but the synthetic quilts they produce may be too bulky or heavy for you, if you plan on using it to and below 20°. None of these UQs are made "specifically" for your hammock, but JRB has made UQs for other Hennessy models, and Hammock Gear recently made a few quilts "tailored" for asym hammocks. Contact Jack (JRB) or Adam (HG). Either can give you very specific informat, and yes, they will speak to you directly and glady answer your questions.
Good luck. The UQs are soooo much more comfortable than a pad. :)
I suggest skipping the prolite and going with a Neoair. I think the regular length is probably too long in a hammock. I used a shorty one and just shove my pack under my feet/legs. Worked great. I do the same when sleeping on the ground.
If you go with an inflatable, it helps to not inflate it all the way in a hammock.
skinewmexico
11-16-2011, 19:39
Why only Thermarest?
I guess no reason for only a thermarest. I thought it'd be warmer than a closed cell pad and lighter than a lot of other models.
gunner76
11-17-2011, 22:45
Try to attend a group hang in your area and check what the other hangers are using.
I guess no reason for only a thermarest. I thought it'd be warmer than a closed cell pad and lighter than a lot of other models.
The newer Thermarest pads with the hollowed out, or "cored" foam are less thermally efficient than the old 1-1/2" pads (I still have an original orange one, though I upgraded the valve from brass to plastic years ago). It works fine in the hammock if not inflated too hard (so it can conform better to my body), but for the past three+ years I've been using a sleeping bag which surrounds my basic hammock, which is much quicker to set up than an underquilt (I leave the hammock inside the bag and merely hook the carabiners to the straps once I've attached them to trees). My bag is no longer made, though I recently noticed that Sea to Summit markets a bag with a drawcord foot opening which might work as long as it isn't too constricting).
I used to have a HH Ultralight A-sym and sold it once I figured out my new system. In buggy weather I bring along an ENO bug net (which I would like to replace with something lighter at some point).
When there aren't any bugs out I can leave the net at home and save a pound (yes, it's heavy).
(http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=38616&c=577)
Sea-to-Summit bag :http://www.seatosummit.com/sleepingbags/micro.php
If you're really only wanting it for warmer nights, say upper 40's a CCF like what Gossamer Gear sells should be fine. I've used them in the summer when an underquilt was overkill. If you want something for colder, an underquilt may be the thing, unless you are going to ground a good percentage of the time.
goody5534
11-19-2011, 19:27
can i use my exped symat 7 in a HH safari deluxe? is comfort issues that i shud be aware of-or space issued and functionality of a exped synmat in a hammock