Side sleepers, how do you get comfortable?

**4shot** · 03-23-2011, 09:27

Originally Posted by B.B.

when I toss and turn in it I get wrapped up tighter and tighter in it and it is very uncomfortable. Anyone have a rectangular or semi rectangular bag that is light and warm? Looking for something in the 2.5 lb range.

I have similar issues with alot of mummy bags. I tried several and ended up with Marmot -- plenty of romm to move around in (without sacrificing warmth). If you insist on rectangular, I think (?) Campmor makes one in down.

**tuswm** · 03-23-2011, 11:12

Originally Posted by 4shot

I have similar issues with alot of mummy bags. I tried several and ended up with Marmot -- plenty of romm to move around in (without sacrificing warmth). If you insist on rectangular, I think (?) Campmor makes one in down.

I am a swimmer with swimmer shoulders. I there are mummy bags that I litterilly can not even zip if I have on a fleece. I have tried lufalopple, REI, kelty, MHW and marmot down bags. The upper body on the marmot are head and shoulders larger. I am also a side sleeper and love the marmot bag. I couldn't afford their top of the line bag so I got the 650 fill version, affordable, slightly heavier, but still an awesome bag. Just read other reviews of the sawtooth. Got to REI and put on a few layers and try getting in a few bags then get in a marmot. That extra width does add a few onces.

**lori** · 03-23-2011, 11:47

Originally Posted by Daydream Believer

chiefduffy..thanks! Such an intriguing idea. I wish I could try one out before buying! I like the idea of being off the ground also.

What do you hammock hangers do with your pack? Just leave it on the ground under your fly/hammock?

You put it wherever you want it.

You ought to cruise hammock forums - these are all the questions we all ask up front, and there are many threads there that answer them.

The first actual backpacking trip I took after years of not going I took a hammock - it was about the only thing I had that worked well. Slept like a baby, but had a sore back, feet, etc because I had the wrong size pack, wrong shoes, pretty much wrong anything you could think of. The hammock has allowed me to adapt to sleeping on my back - first time ever. I usually start on my side and wake up flat out on my back, sprawling.

I have a Blackbird - I use pads or underquilt but find that the underquilt is mega comfortable. Pads are merely adequate. Some of my trips it's very likely I will be on the ground one night out of three, however.

**lori** · 03-23-2011, 11:55

Originally Posted by bflorac

Well, I just blow in it but I'm sure that is not what your are asking

I fill it up about 3/4 full. Typically I fill it near full, then as I go to bend I lay on it and make it as soft as possible without allowing my hip to hit the floor (sleeping on my side) Perhaps it is more noisy when on a wooden floor (thought I do put a protective sheet under it). As for me, I wear ear plugs anyway so I don't hear it nor anyone/thing else.

The reason I ask is I have never run into anyone who uses one and complains about the noise. Only place I see complaints like that are forums. Anyone I've met with one, they look at me like I'm wearing a badger on my head for suggesting the NeoAir is noisy. I've never had mine make much of a sound at all. Sounds like you are inflating it about the same.... And I don't have shelter floors, just tent floor, or the bottom of my hammock, neither of which results in any real crinkle or other sound.

The noisiest pad I've ever encountered was when I did Skyline to Sea with two other women. I had the NeoAir, one had a Prolite and the third a BA insulated air core. We pitched tents in a triangle three nights running and every time the Big Agnes user rolled over or shifted position, all three of us were laughing at how incredibly noisy it was - you could hear the thing from 20 feet away. The last time I talked to her she had plans to obtain a NeoAir next time REI had a sale.

**chiefduffy** · 03-23-2011, 12:35

Originally Posted by Daydream Believer

chiefduffy..thanks! Such an intriguing idea. I wish I could try one out before buying! I like the idea of being off the ground also.

You can try one out! If you can wait until Trail Days, there will be plenty on display. If you cant wait that long, a post over on Hammock Forums will get you several volunteers to meet you somewhere in SE VA for a test hang. For some reason we hangers are always eager to show off our gear!

**Daydream Believer** · 03-23-2011, 20:13

Originally Posted by chiefduffy

You can try one out! If you can wait until Trail Days, there will be plenty on display. If you cant wait that long, a post over on Hammock Forums will get you several volunteers to meet you somewhere in SE VA for a test hang. For some reason we hangers are always eager to show off our gear!

Great idea! Thanks for the reply and the suggestion!

**Captn** · 03-23-2011, 20:37

4 benedryl ..... Works wonders

**Skidsteer** · 03-23-2011, 20:47

Originally Posted by Captn

4 benedryl ..... Works wonders

Maybe, but a NeoAir has fewer side effects.

**Captn** · 03-23-2011, 21:06

Originally Posted by Skidsteer

Maybe, but a NeoAir has fewer side effects.

Yeah ....but the neoair is harder to swallow.

**Skidsteer** · 03-23-2011, 21:08

Originally Posted by Captn

Yeah ....but the neoair is harder to swallow.

Ha! That's funny!

**SouthMark** · 03-23-2011, 21:14

I actually hang by pack on the hammock suspension lime at the foot of my hammock under my fly. Some people put it in a trash bag on the ground under the hammock. If you do try a hammock please remember that there usually is a little steeper learning curve than a tent but worth it in the end. I did a trip in January to Roan Mountain with a low of 1.8 degrees (we were hoping for below zero), 40 mph winds and about 4' of snow. Slept warm and toast all night for two nights.

**TexasEd** · 03-25-2011, 17:34

Originally Posted by tuswm

Has anyone heard of these pads?

https://www.nemoequipment.com/pads_pillows20111

In the backpacker gear guide they reviewed every pad you all are talking about, PO, neo air, thermarest self inflating, and Exped. But this one beat them all out for the editors choice award. I have never heard of this company before but there must be a reason it got such great reviews. "This is the only mattress ill ever need from the deep backcoutry to car camping"

This is one from the website that I saw. half the price of the neo, a few oz more, similar packing size but it also has a built in pillow. You can get it in different sizes, shapes, with or with out foot pump built in, with or with out insulation and you can even get a pillow top type mattress for it.

You can get it in different sizes, shapes, with or with out foot pump built in, with or with out insulation and you can even get a pillow top type mattress for it.

Makes me want to try one or at least hear from someone who isnt paid to say nice things bout them.

Thanks for this info. I'm definitely going to look into the Nemo Astro Insulated.

**BradMT** · 03-25-2011, 18:41

NeoAir size large.

**Tinker** · 03-25-2011, 18:45

Ok, another hammock comment - One reason I like a hammock without attached bug netting is that I often hang my head over the side of the hammock while sleeping on my side - very comfortable - in fact I rarely sleep on my back.

**godsfshrmn** · 03-26-2011, 14:46

How much are you guys inflating your pads? I would say I have been inflating mine with just a tad bit of pressure. I haven't gotten to experiment the difference in comfort with less/more.

**tuswm** · 03-26-2011, 15:26

I was told that a good starting point is that if you blow it up and get on it on all fours. Like doggy style. It should be soft enough for Your knees should be in contact with the ground but firm enough to keep you hands suspended.

In my personal experience I have found that if warmth is not an issue the softer the better as long as my hips and shoulders dont contact the ground.

Thread: Side sleepers, how do you get comfortable?

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Display

Posting Permissions