Best first timer pad?

**RedBadger** · 02-03-2014, 09:31

First time hanger here, anybody know where to start when it comes to pads, never have used one even when tent camping.

**Nhott** · 02-03-2014, 09:56

I have a Thermarest Ridgerest Deluxe and a Klymit Static-V. Both work well. Good on your wallet too.

**olddog** · 02-03-2014, 10:00

Start with a blue closed cell foam from Walmart. Most hangers don't enjoy the experience very much and go to under quilts quickly. Took me all of two hangs. Then you may be one of the few that manage pads. I just wiggle too much.

**gnarus8429** · 02-03-2014, 10:28

I went and bought the thermarest CCF pad. It works but, takes away from the comfort of the hammock. It also looks like I'm fighting a bear while I'm trying to get arranged but, it works. The nicer wider thermarest pad was $35 at REI. A jarbidge (just google kick *** quilts) under quilt is $100. So instead of spending $100 I spent $135 to end up at the same place. You can get pad holders but, that raises the price of the pad system to the point the UQ is a way better idea. I too was bent on going the cheap route only to find that it cost me more. The pad got cut down and now holds the shape of my ultralight backpack and acts as a sit / foot pad, so it was not a total loss. It also gives me the option of going to the ground should the need arise.

**ggreaves** · 02-03-2014, 11:16

Originally Posted by Nhott

I have a Thermarest Ridgerest Deluxe and a Klymit Static-V. Both work well. Good on your wallet too.

+1 on the Klymit. Go for the insulated Static V, though. Very comfortable in a hammock and add's R4.1 insulation to your buttocks. Under-inflate a little and it's like sleeping on a cloud.

**slicktop** · 02-03-2014, 14:32

Originally Posted by gnarus8429

I went and bought the thermarest CCF pad. It works but, takes away from the comfort of the hammock. It also looks like I'm fighting a bear while I'm trying to get arranged but, it works. The nicer wider thermarest pad was $35 at REI. A jarbidge (just google kick *** quilts) under quilt is $100. So instead of spending $100 I spent $135 to end up at the same place. You can get pad holders but, that raises the price of the pad system to the point the UQ is a way better idea. I too was bent on going the cheap route only to find that it cost me more. The pad got cut down and now holds the shape of my ultralight backpack and acts as a sit / foot pad, so it was not a total loss. It also gives me the option of going to the ground should the need arise.

see, that's what I'm talking about. As a hammock noob, I don't want to buy stuff I won't like. Another idea if you think pads won't be your thing: hit up the dollar store for a reflitix window shade & use that as a pad. That's basically what the Hennessy super shelter liner thingy is anyways.

**SilvrSurfr** · 02-03-2014, 16:22

I used a $10 5/8" ccf pad for a couple of years - never even considered investing in "better" pads 'cause pads were just a temporary solution till I could afford an UQ.

One thing I wish I had invested in was a double-layer hammock when I was a pad user. They really do help manage the pad and keep it from slipping. You can make yourself a DL tablecloth hammock pretty easy for about $24 and that will make pads much more bearable.

**mudsocks** · 02-03-2014, 17:00

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

I used a $10 5/8" ccf pad for a couple of years - never even considered investing in "better" pads 'cause pads were just a temporary solution till I could afford an UQ.

One thing I wish I had invested in was a double-layer hammock when I was a pad user. They really do help manage the pad and keep it from slipping. You can make yourself a DL tablecloth hammock pretty easy for about $24 and that will make pads much more bearable.

I would echo everything SilvrSurfr said because I did exactly the same thing and have the same thoughts. The only thing I would add is depending on how long you plan on using a pad it would probably be worth the extra time/money to make your Segmented Pad Extender. Double layer hammock!

**dimjim** · 02-04-2014, 14:50

First, probably just throw a cheap 1/3"-1/2" thick closed cell foam (CCF) pad in your single or double layer hammock. You may have to wiggle around with it, but it can and does work for many people.

If you want to try a pad for cheap, wait for the green "venture outdoors" pads to come back in stock at wally world and get it shipped to store for free. The 20x72" is $5.15+tax, the 25x78" is $8.25+tax.

I think both are really good values, and there's also an existing HF thread on them.

If you have a thread injector (aka sewing machine), you could pick up a couple yards of $1-2/yd breathable synthetic material and put together a DIY SPE (segmented pad extender, JustJeff's site has a great guide), buy 2 of the 20x72" pads, and cut the second one up for the SPE wings.

This whole thing would probably only set you back $20, and you can always pass it along to someone else to get them into hammocking. Like others say, you may end up wanting an underquilt, but it can be quite an investment in money, or time & a little less money for the DIY route. I say just get out there with a pad and see what needs improvement.

HYOH!

**nothermark** · 02-04-2014, 16:38

The nice thing about things like the blue CCF pads is that you are not wasting your money. They recycle into sit pads, stand on pads, pack support pads, or a host of other places where you want a waterproof bit of insulation or stiffness.

Given a choice take the finer grained pad over the coarse grained stiffer pad. Works a lot better.