Going to Philmont and need Pad

**Nighthauk** · 11-06-2013, 15:41

Alright folks just curious as to you might recommend for the trip. It will be in July and I have heard that temps can get into the 40's at night. I don't know how realistic that is but I am looking for a pad around 30's range anyways.. I have very little experience with pads in general. It wasn't long after I started backpacking again that I got into hammocking and not long after that I got an UQ.

The trip is about 2 weeks long. I am looking at fairly lightweight, comfort is a must, and something that will last. I don't like to buy cheaply made, so I would like to buy right the first time. The price not so much an issue but I don't want to go uber expensive either.

What is your thoughts.

Thanks for the help.

**Dos** · 11-06-2013, 15:46

absolutely, the Z Lite Pad (will try to look for link).
Used it for over 500 miles.
The best all around pad in my experience.
Folds up accordian style.

Mine was silver and yellow.
And make sure you get the long one (and I am only 5'2")

I did move to a Neo Air Trekker for the Whites.
It was only because the Z lit was getting caught up in trees and rocks
and I felt like I was being pushed from behind after scrambling and squeezing.
I loved the Neo Air as well (had to shelter it twice....)

**Pemon** · 11-06-2013, 15:50

Did you say you have an UQ? what UQ is it? Depending on your UQ you're probably fine down to 30.

**Fluteman** · 11-06-2013, 15:51

I got the ZLite SOL in a long and it works great.

**Moondoggy** · 11-06-2013, 16:02

Big Agnes Aircore insulated ! 2" of loft ! Like sleeping at home!

**Cranky Bear** · 11-06-2013, 17:17

Are you palnning on going to ground?

I take it you haven't slept on a pad before? The designs of them vary a great deal and the differences can lead to an ok's night sleep, to the worst ever. The length wise baffles on the inflatables keep me centered on the pad when I sleep on my side, when they run the width of the pad I always feel like I'm going to roll off. Self inflatable pads are sort of the in between of inflatables and foam pads. Which I have slept many a night on most pads and I prefere the self inflatable.

Side sleeper? Back sleeper? Toss n turner?

Some of this may make a huge difference between sore hips and overall comfort.

If you can head to an REI or the like that sells pads and go lay on them to find which feels better.

When I have to go to ground I use a thermarest prolite short coupled with a 1/8" gossamer gear pad and have taken this combo well below freezing. Coupled with a nice pillow and I get a decent nights sleep, I toss n turn, but I get by.

As always this is JMO and should be taken with a grain of salt.

**I-Hang** · 11-06-2013, 18:03

It has been a number of years since I have been to Philmont but from what I remember the tents that they had us use did not have a floor in them so you should also take a ground tarp as well if the tents still do not have floors. I have used everything from solid to inflatable pads. I have never found a pad that that I really liked 100% which is the main reason why I went to a hammock. Go visit your local store and try all of them out before you buy one.

**STinGa** · 11-06-2013, 18:22

Temp getting that low? If you are saying that you heard the temps get that low, check them for yourself using your google-fu. I don't remember have cold temp issues when I went. Granted, it was a few ...