Inflatable pads?

**SleepingBeauty** · 01-07-2013, 01:29

I recently came across a small one person inflatable pad/bed thingy at the Goodwill for 5 bucks. I was wondering how it will work out in my hammock. Has anybody tried using an inflatable pad, or have any thoughts on whether or not it would be a good idea? Thanks.

**Catavarie** · 01-07-2013, 02:37

Inflatable as in air mattress? Or inflatable as in foam filled self inflating pad?

If as an airmattress it is likely to do little to no good for under insulation. However if it is a foam filled self inflating pad then it will work just fine so long as you aren't a restless sleeper. If you flail about at all during the night you're likely to wake up with cold spots where you've ended up off the pad throughout the night. If you are one of those people that wake up in the morning in the exact same position as when you laid down the night before you'll be great. Only inflate the pad about half way though so that it better conforms to the hammock.

**OldRagFreeze** · 01-07-2013, 07:56

I started out using my Big Agnes Air Core pad (https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Pad/Aircore) and honestly I don't recommend it. Even when I let half the air out it still moves like crazy, to the point where I have woken up to find it on the ground a few times. I considered putting seam sealer or something similar in zig-zag lines on it to help it 'stick' in place, but I ended up switching to Wally World's blue CCF pad instead. The CCF pad is lighter, warmer, conforms to my body and the hammock better, stays put due to the tackiness of the foam and is under $8. The only downside is bulk, but my pack has lash points for it anyway.

I liked it so much in fact that I just bought a second last night and now have a full length for winter, a 3/4 length for warmer weather, and two 'spot pads' to keep under my hammock for those middle of the night cold spots. These 'spot pads' were life savers on my last trip in the snow, because they can be seats, a spot to kneel, a tinder carrier, a fire fanner, and about a million other things. My buddy and I were joking the whole weekend about how the little CCF pads were becoming our MVP of the weekend. I'll never leave home without one again.

**SleepingBeauty** · 01-07-2013, 20:30

Well, I tried my little pad out last night just as an experiment. I ended up throwing it out in a maddened fit in the middle of the night. lol...

**OldRagFreeze** · 01-07-2013, 20:32

Sounds about right.

**Marine2000** · 01-07-2013, 20:35

I give you props for sleeping on anything you found at Goodwill!

**SleepingBeauty** · 01-07-2013, 20:39

Originally Posted by Marine2000

I give you props for sleeping on anything you found at Goodwill!

I love my Goodwill stuff, man. I washed it down thoroughly to be sure it was safe first though

**Marine2000** · 01-07-2013, 20:42

Oddly, I would wear clothes from Goodwill without a second thought (washed of course) but I don't think I could bring myself to sleep on anything from there! hahaha weird, I know

**SleepingBeauty** · 01-07-2013, 21:02

I can understand where your coming from

**golfhiker** · 01-08-2013, 11:29

Okay... this is a been there, done that response. I too floundered about on my BA Aircore.. No good. BUT, then I changed Hammocks, now have the WBBB, with a sleeve. I always insert my 1/4 Gossomar Gear pad, but for a winter hike, with needed insulation, the BA will fit nicely and do the job. It's a bit of a bother to inflate & more so to deflate in the AM, but if it's about insulation & warmth, it will work.

Just a thought... it's only good with a sleeve, and then it needs to be a full size Aircore, not the mummy cut.