Walmart Sleeping Pads

[adamkunzler]

Could someone explain the difference between the following two pads:

Pad 1 (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trial-Camping-Pad-Blue/16783660)
Pad 2 (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Egg-Crate-Camp-Pad/19890889)

Pad 1 says it's a "soft cross-linked polyolefin pad." While Pad 2 says it closed cell foam egg crate design. Pad 1 is hard and rough. Pad 2 is soft and smooth.

I'm looking at using this in a hammock setup for insulation. Will either work, or is one better than the other. I'm new to this and could use the help.

Thanks.

[Nyte]

Pad one is the venerable blue foam camp mat. Cheap, bulletproof, and will insulate. Not too heavy, not amazingly light, not compact.

Pad two is a little softer material, and in theory the "valleys" will trap some air pockets and insulate, pretty much same pros and cons as above.

Both will probably work for a hammock, both are closed cell foam. Not completely sure the durability of the second, as I have never used it for anything. Used to use the first for crafts and boffer swords.

[MDSection12]

I use pad 1 for hammocks, works well. Buy two and cut the second into two sit pads and a torso length pad... In summer I just take the torso pad and a sit pad or two.

[Wise Old Owl]

I recycled those after I cut all mine up and shoved it under the car carpet as a noise redux and it works (found it in an Audi)... These pads are fine for a starter person but adds weight and compresses after a while. If you are going to backpack this is not what you should be looking at. I would not begin to tell you how to spend your money, but at least look at these. Because 8 hours sleep is very important. If you take care of them they will last.

R 2.8 and 8oz

http://www.backcountry.com/therm-a-rest-ridge-rest-sleeping-pad?CMP_SKU=CAS0643&MER=0406&skid=CAS0643-SIL-REG&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc001&mv_pc=r101&mr:trackingCode=67BE37A5-1640-E011-9ACB-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=35536859625&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=65220070545&mkwid=sD1yhAIZp_dc|pcrid|35536859625&origin=pla&gclid=CMes85n8jbsCFclQOgod0FMAQw


R2.5 and 18 oz
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40043?cm_vc=PDPZ1

R2.5 and 8oz
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40055?cm_vc=PDPZ1

[mudsocks]

At 5'10.5" at 135lbs I'm tall/narrow and I find a 20" wide pad too narrow on colder nights. You didn't specify what temperatures you are expecting but if you plan on doing anything lower than 50* consider a wider pad or adding "wings" to your pad's shoulder area.

[adamkunzler]

Thanks for the advice\input everyone. I've been reading about using CCF pads for hammocking and it seems like for some they double the up or made the wings for the shoulders and torso with great results. I was considering doing that. I'm a cold sleeper and I've survived some mighty cold nights without proper gear (16 degrees in a 40 degree sleeping bag in a cotton t-shirt and fleece jacket come to mind)...not that I want to repeat those mistakes. I am planning a through hike of the AT this coming year and want to make sure I've got gear that will keep me safe and mostly comfortable. I'm not a stranger to discomfort.

Wise Old Owl, which of the three suggestions would you recommend? In your opinion, would the therm-a-rest ridge rest coupled with the CCF wings for my shoulder and torso be sufficient for nights on the AT in early April?

[Nyte]

You can get the Ridge Rest in a 25 inch width, keep that in mind.

[Wise Old Owl]

Adam if this is for a Hammock on the AT - then a 32-45 degree night with wind will be very cold. You can get by on the ground in a tent with one. Some of the designated camping sites are on a ridge or windy area and that can be brutal in May, and there isn't a choice to sleep off the ridge (DWG) I would still use an 3/4 underquilt for hammock spring and fall. Its all about blocking the wind in a hammock.

*I don't know where or what you would be using this.

[Downhill Trucker]

I used pad 1 with "wings" attached for many years. My new go to three season pad is this one:

25117

I've gotten it down to 30 deg no problem. It's wider and doesn't slip as much.

[perdidochas]

Could someone explain the difference between the following two pads:

Pad 1 (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trial-Camping-Pad-Blue/16783660)
Pad 2 (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Egg-Crate-Camp-Pad/19890889)

Pad 1 says it's a "soft cross-linked polyolefin pad." While Pad 2 says it closed cell foam egg crate design. Pad 1 is hard and rough. Pad 2 is soft and smooth.

I'm looking at using this in a hammock setup for insulation. Will either work, or is one better than the other. I'm new to this and could use the help.

Thanks.

Option two is better for hammocking, just due to width--it' 24 inches wide. Option one is only 20 inches wide. With option 1, you need to make a pad extender to make the shoulder part of the pad wider.

[Bronk]

I've owned and used both...pad 2 I thought was more comfortable, but far less durable...after a couple years it began to fall apart...I think it was heavier too but I've never weighed either so that may not be true, its just a hunch.

[russb]

As others have said, pad 2 is wider and thus provides better shoulder and hip coverage in the hammock. Pad 1 I feel is "warmer". I have no data to back it up, but after many using both for a long time, that is my impression. It was also mentioned to cut pad 1 to fit the width of the hammock. I concur. I have done this and have used it with pad 2. This makes quite a warm set up. Btw, I use these pads down in to the negative 20s F in my hammock.