Pad for ground/floor use on AT?

[Popps]

Shrewd wrote up a great post trip report on his thru-hike saying he suffered on hard surfaces about 5 times. Chop added he uses half of a Z-rest pad for such occasions. I am debating is it worth the extra 9-10 oz and funky yellow/silver strap-on (sorry, that sounds totally wrong!) to carry a folding pad for those few times. Another report by a soon-to-be repeat hiker said he wants to engage more socially by staying in hostels, huts and the like which would increase the odds of a hard floor or 2x4 bunk.

So AT veterans, what say you? Be lighter and slimmer yet lose sleep a few times, OR have a bread box hanging off your pack and endure hard surfaces more easily? I really do not plan to stay in many shelters to avoid mice, snores, and waking up at least two people when I have to water a tree in the middle of the night.

Thanks in advance!

Popps

[MoeTCrow]

just a thought, but what about a cheap pool float (like for a buck or so) will pack smaller than the z-rest and can live at the bottom of the pack till you need it. might even be more comfy... but zero insulation...

[Biker Bob]

Moe T Crow

Been there done that, bought a Thermarest. I went flat in the middle of the night after only a couple of uses.

[Shrewd]

Were I to do it again, I’d still bring the underquilt.

It’s worth mentioning that I carried a neoair xlite for the Smokies and stubbornly all the way to southern Virginia. Not counting the Smokies I used it once.

There are definitely times where it would have come in handy, but it just wasn’t worth it to me. I still sleep uncomfortably even with a pad, so being able to crash on a hotel floor or something wasn’t really on my mind. Most hostels have foam pads on their bunks (and those don’t feel great either).

I would suggest you start with it for the peace of mind and after a few weeks you’ll probably decide to send it home. Better yet save the weight and start without it, then get it at Fontana before the Smokies and see how you feel about having it.

You could also bring a pad in lieu of an under quilt to save weight and be prepared for all situations

[WV]

I'd trust the advice from Chop and Shrewd, but don't omit the underquilt.

[Shrewd]

I'd trust the advice from Chop and Shrewd, but don't omit the underquilt.

Underquilts4lyf

[gbolt]

It truly is a personal choice. Shrewd helped me a great deal as I finalized prep for my 18 thru hike. I would have shipped a Neo Air with my one resupply to Fontana Dam, if I knew then what I know now. Instead, I had two horrible nights in shelters before I bought a Neo Air at the NOC in G-Burg. I carried that 13 oz pad the rest of the trip and would do it again for the added benefit of increasing options. Shrewd felt he carried it to long. Personal choice you make because you’re the only one carrying the pack and Hiking your hike. PS, I bought a Z-Lite pad (very common on the AT) that I originally was going to ship if needed, but it weighs an ounce more than the Neo Air and doesn’t carry in the bottom of the pack. It is still brand new in the wrapper. It also doesn’t risk leaking though. Again, personal choice.

[IrishSitter]

It truly is a personal choice. Shrewd helped me a great deal as I finalized prep for my 18 thru hike. I would have shipped a Neo Air with my one resupply to Fontana Dam, if I knew then what I know now. Instead, I had two horrible nights in shelters before I bought a Neo Air at the NOC in G-Burg. I carried that 13 oz pad the rest of the trip and would do it again for the added benefit of increasing options. Shrewd felt he carried it to long. Personal choice you make because you’re the only one carrying the pack and Hiking your hike. PS, I bought a Z-Lite pad (very common on the AT) that I originally was going to ship if needed, but it weighs an ounce more than the Neo Air and doesn’t carry in the bottom of the pack. It is still brand new in the wrapper. It also doesn’t risk leaking though. Again, personal choice.

Out of curiosity, were you carrying a full length underquilt? I have been kicking around the idea of using 3/4 length UQ with a short NeoAir pad for under the legs, as a sit pad, and a go-to-ground option. My initial thought was half a z-lite pad (36" / 7oz), but the NeoAir short is 48" and only 8oz.

[BillyBob58]

Great discussion here guys. I was going to start another thread asking a similar question, but I'll just piggyback onto this thread.

I'm currently getting gear together for a thru-hike, I know that it's super late in the season already (there's just a couple of pieces of gear that I need to make). I have been planning to make both a Top quilt and an Under quilt. My question is how much can a pad replace an underquilt. I have a Cosmo Lite Insulated 20r pad that is a super comfortable pad for me. It weighs a pound.

My question is if I can deal without an underquilt for a good portion of the season. Right now, I've been planning on taking a TQ, an UQ, and the pad. I figured this gave me good ground lay possibility with my tarp and ground cloth, but I've been wondering if this is just overkill. Right now, I'm planning on starting near the beginning of April, so that I can attend Trail Days. Would having both an UQ and a pad be overkill?

ETA: I've been thinking about this thread, and looking at the cost of costco down throws. I'm now thinking that 2 of the costco down throws along with the pad would be suitable. If it gets exceedingly cold underneath, then I can use one of the down throws as an UQ. With my pad being rated to 15 to 25 degrees, I need to try and decide if this insulation is enough for me.

Out of curiosity, were you carrying a full length underquilt? I have been kicking around the idea of using 3/4 length UQ with a short NeoAir pad for under the legs, as a sit pad, and a go-to-ground option. My initial thought was half a z-lite pad (36" / 7oz), but the NeoAir short is 48" and only 8oz.

Funny how that worked! I'm scrolling through thinking I will bring up short UQs, and IrishSitter beat me to it!

But,still, Trambo, have you considered a torso length UQ? A Greylock 3 weighs 17 oz, the even smaller 20F Yeti weighs 12.5 oz( of course, you may not be planning on spending that kind of $, or any $ at all? ) A short pad could insulate your legs to any temp likely to be encountered, and could serve dual purpose for sit pad, stove wind break, and of course ground or shelters. As well as emergency use to augment the UQ if record temps are encountered, then use your pack's pad or stuffed with whatever for your feet.

With that last, you might ask: why not just use the pack for your feet, and leave the pad behind? People certainly do such, but that might not help as much if you have to go to a shelter. As always, pros ad cons. But any of it will work, just hard to say what is right for any individual.

[Trambo]

You may not be planning on spending that kind of $, or any $ at all? )

The theme of this year is definitely ultralight on a budget. I'm making or modifying most of my gear. When I initially responded here, I was thinking that since my pad was insulated, that I wouldn't need the TQ. And yes, I can see how that could work .... but then, I started thinking more into the weight savings. Shrewd also brought up the comfort factor. I can do pads. I use them all of the time in the hammock, but at low inflation rate. Once I started using pads, I really never stopped using pads, so the thing that I need to test out is if I'm more comfortable without the pad. Maybe I sleep quieter. Maybe I fidget less. Who knows, but that is what I need to figure out. If I switch to the lighter system, then I also get the benefit of modularity along with the ability to sleep without a pad. If I kept with the insulated pad, it would definitely limit my options.