SPE alternative

[Shug]

Forgive me for being a noob, but what is the exact function of SPE's or these pad extensions?
1)Do they prevent the pad from slipping around?
2) Do they add a little more "pad" near the shoulders and hips?

1) Yessir!
2) They insulate the shoulders and thighs ..... unprotected areas.....

[Just Jeff]

The primary function is to provide padding for your shoulders and hips, since a normal pad isn't wide enough to prevent the hammock from compressing your sleeping bag or top quilt there. You use a SPE instead of an underquilt (or in cold weather you can use both).

The secondary function is to help with pad management. The SPE makes it easier to keep the pad under you, makes it easier to move CCF around in the hammock but keeps slippery pads (thermarests) from squirting, and makes it easy to stack multiple pads together for really cold weather.

You can see the full description of it on Ed's page:
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/SPE.htm

[pineapplenewton]

i like the idea of attaching the pads to a space blanket should hold well for alot of orientations and make them even warmer

[pineapplenewton]

also shug ductape does hold onto ccf well better then ccf holds onto its self... this can be problematic.