Pad for gathered end - mummy or rectangular?

[Passinthru]

I will be needing a pad for a single layer, gathered end hammock. I want to get an inflatable insulated one, possibly a Klimit or a NeoAir. I am tall and broad shouldered. Which will work best in a gathered end - a mummy shape or a rectangular? Or does it matter?

[barbermike]

Personally if you are going to spend that much I would put it towards an UnderQuilt

[millergear]

The mummy will fit and stay put better. You will likely need a pad under your hips tho as the mat will be totally collapsed there. Unless it's inflated very hard, and then it will be quite uncomfortable. CCF Pads work better and are cheaper than an air mat. But bulky to carry.

[Passinthru]

Personally if you are going to spend that much I would put it towards an UnderQuilt

I understand - but this is for a Clark Mark2 I have on order and if used as a bivy, which it will be at times, I will need a pad. Also, if used with the integrated tarp, which I intend to do, an under quilt would be exposed to the weather and would need an UQ protector. Therefore a pad, if I can make it work, will mean I don't have to worry about which insulation (or both) to carry.

Millergear - I have a CCF pad - I wil just give that a try - I may not need anything more - although I know from experience that it is not comfortable on the ground.

Thanks for the replies...

[barbermike]

I understand - but this is for a Clark Mark2 I have on order and if used as a bivy, which it will be at times, I will need a pad. Also, if used with the integrated tarp, which I intend to do, an under quilt would be exposed to the weather and would need an UQ protector. Therefore a pad, if I can make it work, will mean I don't have to worry about which insulation (or both) to carry.

Millergear - I have a CCF pad - I wil just give that a try - I may not need anything more - although I know from experience that it is not comfortable on the ground.

Thanks for the replies...

If that's the case I would start with a CCF pad. Maybe trim it to the size and shape you want.

[SilvrSurfr]

When I used pads, it was strictly CCF. I couldn't really justify the expense of a Thermarest or something more expensive.

[dkurfiss]

I tried a ThermARest pad, a Synmat 7, and a cheap blue CFF pad from WalMart w/a home made SPE. Of all of them the CFF pad worked by far the best in the hammock while the Synmat worked the best once I was on the ground. In other words, it's a toss up if you are going to use it both places. You will have to decide where you will spend the most time and gear toward it.

Personally I ended up going with a UQ knowing full well that if I could not hang then it would be a very uncomfortable night sitting around a fire. So far, that has not happened

[Drybones]

I hope you have better success with a pad than I, tried several different pads and a double layer hammock and could never sleep on it, finally got an UQ....sleeps great....good luck.

[Pablo A]

I've tried the exped downmat UL 9 Xl in my WBBB and it worked good. I've also ground slept a few times with the same set up. The downmat is warm and the Xl has a whole 4" more width than the normal pad. That width makes a huge difference.

I will agree with other that once I completely switched to down UQ it was much easier set, take down and sleep. Anyways I'd check out the exped but be aware they're high priced.