Selecting a Pad

**blackbishop351** · 02-03-2007, 12:56

Originally Posted by TimBarry

In regards to the GG thin light...do they come in wide...because what I'm hearing is that the 19.5" probably won't be wide enough for me...thank you for all the input

They just made a 'hammock' version of the Thinlite available not too long ago - it's 1/4", wide/long version (28" width, I think). They're currently out of stock according to the phone call I made, but they should have more in sometime toward the end of this month.

Ask Headchange4u for details on how well they work. He has one and used it at the Mt. Rogers Campout (I think?).

**headchange4u** · 02-03-2007, 13:29

I did use the 1/4" wide/long pad at Mt Rogers and it worked great. I did have some sweat pool on the pad on the second night and I ended up ditching the pad at about 3:00 am because of the condensation problem.

The pad is a little to big for my HH ULBA and needs to be trimmed down to fit in the hammock better. The pad also got wrinkles in it which makes it pretty uncomfortable, but trimming the pad to the proper size would eliminate this.

The GG pads are a lot easier to deal with than the WalMart CCF pad as far a packablity. They are made for insulation, not padding so keep that in mind.

**blackbishop351** · 02-03-2007, 13:44

Originally Posted by headchange4u

I did use the 1/4" wide/long pad at Mt Rogers and it worked great. I did have some sweat pool on the pad on the second night and I ended up ditching the pad at about 3:00 am because of the condensation problem.

The pad is a little to big for my HH ULBA and needs to be trimmed down to fit in the hammock better. The pad also got wrinkles in it which makes it pretty uncomfortable, but trimming the pad to the proper size would eliminate this.

The GG pads are a lot easier to deal with than the WalMart CCF pad as far a packablity. They are made for insulation, not padding so keep that in mind.

I think I'll get one or two of these when they come back in stock at GG. One thing I've discovered is that having some sort of ~ full length pad helps a lot when packing my gearskin. I've been carring a 1/2-length Z-rest for a long time as a sit pad and for possible ground use, but it's not long enough to really make a good 'taco' for my pack. The Thinlite is full-size, even oversize really, and it weighs about the same as the half Z-rest. And from hearing how well it worked for you, I think it'll be worth switching.

As far as the padding concern, I guess with a long pad like that a guy could always double or triple it over for sitting like Pan did with his 1/8" pad at Rogers. It might not be very comfy for ground use, but we avoid having to do that like the plague anyway

**wallace** · 02-04-2007, 10:59

This is what I'm thinking of doing with my HH for a hike in SNP in late May.

I am using a GG G4 pack so I got the GG nightlight torso length pad that will provide the support for the G4 pack. http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/...ght_torso.html

I am then going to buy a Size 40 x 60 x 3/16" weighing 6 oz. pad from Owareusa.com. This I will trim to fit the HH. I will then put the nightligt torso on top for a dual layer for the bulk of my torso and the single layer Owareusa pad overall.

Any thoughts on this combo?

Does anyone have any experience with the GG pads in the G4 during rain? They seem like they will get wet in the location where they are put in the pack for support. Also, this seems like it would be a problem with sweat. I'm planning on using a sil nylon pack cover and a nylon rain jacket. Any thoughts?

**ringtail-THFKAfood** · 02-04-2007, 11:12

I don' know if a pack cover and rain jacket will keep the pad dry, but a poncho would.

**blackbishop351** · 02-04-2007, 12:13

That's the very reason I prefer a poncho to a rain jacket - rain on the backpanel of the pack.

**Just Jeff** · 02-04-2007, 15:39

I found another reason I like the Packa on the Mt Rogers trip. Just like a poncho, it keeps my whole pack dry, straps and all. And just like a poncho, I can still reach my pockets while I'm wearing my pack. I used to put my tarp in the big mesh pocket on the back panel of my pack and my hammock inside the pack. But on this trip, I realized that I'd have to take my pack off to get to my tarp...then either set it down in the rain or put it back on. Putting it back under the Packa is a hassle. SOOO.....

Now I think I'm gonna put my tarp in the side pocket where I can get to it w/o taking off the Packa, and keep my hammock in an outer pocket as well. Then I can set up the tarp and hammock w/o taking off my raingear, and set my still-dry pack on the hammock to unpack.

Same deal would work with a pad...a Packa or poncho would keep it dry while you set up. I'd hate to start out with a wet pad, even if it didn't actually absorb the water.

**The Breeze** · 02-04-2007, 15:45

plus have you ever hiked in the rain with a rain suit then the next morning wake up to have you pack straps frozen solid, and still have to put it on to hike out? trust me not what you want good thinking jeff .

**Coffee** · 02-04-2007, 23:13

Originally Posted by The Breeze

plus have you ever hiked in the rain with a rain suit then the next morning wake up to have you pack straps frozen solid, and still have to put it on to hike out? trust me not what you want good thinking jeff .

I haven't done that with my pack, but I learned to leave my shoes in a wearing shape. It takes a little walking to defrost them in the morning. With socks, I try to leave the ones I want to hike in with my clothes stuff that I sleep with. The wet ones hang outside, then on the pack the next day to air out.

**Just Jeff** · 02-05-2007, 20:30

On freezing nights when I have wet shoes, I've put them inside a sil bag, then hung the sil bag inside the PeaPod or TravelPod. Keeps them above freezing and much more tolerable when I put them on in the morning. Not sure I'd do this on a long trip, but it's ok on the 2-3 day trips I usually take.