[pct-l] FW: Sleeping Pads

Wed Feb 16 14:02:50 CST 2011

I've seen several different people post about modifying a NeoAir. It looks
really easy.
It sounds like that's what you really want, so I'll help enable you. :p
Just do it! hehe

On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 12:47 PM, Eric <johner27 at evergreen.edu> wrote:

> 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
> >> >>> > >
> >> >>> > > _______________________________________________
> >> >>> > > Pct-L mailing list
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> >> >>> > _______________________________________________
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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
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