BMBH Pad Question..

**Sambeaux** · 10-29-2010, 23:30

Not that I would EVER THINK of buying one of those great looking BMBH hammocks, as my wife has seen way too many cardboxes shipped from JacksRBettter....

Shenandoah Quilt, No Sniveler, Triglides and Webbing, Dry Duck poncho, Whoopie slings etc.

But should a BMBH drop into my hands somehow... Will a Big Agnes inflatable mummy pad fit in the pad sleeve?

**doheir** · 10-30-2010, 05:35

The BMBH hammock will take a 25" pad easily, and you can use a rectangular or mummy shape. I favor the former for cold weather camping to make sure that I have enough pad around me to insulate from the cole.

I've tried a ThermaRest NeoAir and an Exped Downmat 9, both sized large, and both have worked well.

**BillyBob58** · 10-30-2010, 08:19

I believe it is sized to accept up to a 26" wide pad, and either 2" thick or maybe 3" thick?

If I planned to mainly use a pad for insulation, I'd have a hard time choosing other than a JRB BMBH. Other double layer hammocks and SPEs work well, much better than single layer without an SPE, no doubt. It's just that the BMBH works so much better with a pad than other hammocks, in my experience. As opposed to trying to lay diagonal on a full length pad, it is just a much more conducive to a hassle free sleep. Just my opinion, of course. You can not roll off of a pad in the BMBH, unless you are about to roll out of the hammock. And the pad is, like the hammock, pretty much flat in both length and width.

A pad in a BMBH both improves and worsens things. A wide thick torso area pad opens the hammock up, definitely increasing shoulder room. But a thick pad raises your center of gravity making the BMBH feel less stable. I have not really found it to be a problem, but it does feel a little scary at first and takes some getting used to.

I'm not ready to say that a BMBH ( except for improved shoulder room) is 100% as comfortable as it is with, say, a JRB MW3 or 4. You know, there is that whole sleeping on nylon and air thing(and how the nylon conforms to every contour of your body that hammocks are famous for). It is a heck of a lot more comfy than that same pad on the ground at least. And then there is the whole sweating on a pad that is such an issue for some folks, less so for others. But, if you want to use a pad in a hammock for whatever reason, the BMBH can not be beat, IMO.

**tjm** · 10-30-2010, 08:41

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

A pad in a BMBH both improves and worsens things. A wide thick torso area pad opens the hammock up, definitely increasing shoulder room. But a thick pad raises your center of gravity making the BMBH feel less stable. I have not really found it to be a problem, but it does feel a little scary at first and takes some getting used to.

+ 1 to BillyBob's note --- This is exactly my experience as well. I greatly prefer the BMBH with the pad but I also found that rolling over at night will start a rocking motion. I have gotten used to it.

I use a BA insulated air core pad, rectangluar 20" x 72" x 2.5". I wish it was wider. I plan on asking Santa for the Exped Downmat 9.

I have used a Z-rest and it bends a bit more than the air pads but still works.

**Roadtorque** · 10-30-2010, 08:49

Ive used a 3'' thick 25'' wide rei pad in mine a few times. It fits, but it changes the CofG of the hammock a little to make it feel a little more tipsy.

**Sambeaux** · 10-30-2010, 10:11

I had not considered height and Center of Gravity issues with an inflated bad. Thanks Guys! I guess I will ask Santa for a closed cell pad as well as a BMBH. What is the optimum width for closed cell pad in a BMBH sleeve?

**trigger hurt** · 10-30-2010, 10:11

That is one of the things I'll miss about a bridge hammock. Flip it over, slip pad in pad pocket or attached UQ. Flip back over to use. Nothing ever touches the ground. If they would only make it so I didn't have to climb out of it.

**BillyBob58** · 10-30-2010, 13:17

Originally Posted by Sambeaux

I had not considered height and Center of Gravity issues with an inflated bad. Thanks Guys! I guess I will ask Santa for a closed cell pad as well as a BMBH. What is the optimum width for closed cell pad in a BMBH sleeve?

Optimum? I'd say the max of 26". Can't think of any reason why 24 or 25" would be better except weight. But 24 or 25 should also do the job.

**Peter_pan** · 10-31-2010, 07:04

Originally Posted by Sambeaux

I had not considered height and Center of Gravity issues with an inflated bad. Thanks Guys! I guess I will ask Santa for a closed cell pad as well as a BMBH. What is the optimum width for closed cell pad in a BMBH sleeve?

Choose an answer.

Wider is better.... max out at 26inches

Go with what you got...use anything available

Zero...be realllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyy y good and ask Santa for a MT Washington 3 or 4

Pan

**russmay** · 10-31-2010, 08:39

I have used a Big agnes rectangle pad as well. but the pad of choice is the Neo air. It is just like sleeping on a twin bed at home. I can't say enough about this set up. To me the only plus of using a pad is the increased shoulder space. For warmth I still perfer to use down quilts. I have to agree with Biilybob about the center of gravity issue. It does take some getting use to. but i have never fell out yet.