I still prefer CCF pad for warmth. I find myself trying to make quilts work for the compression factor, but I still want a pad.
I still prefer CCF pad for warmth. I find myself trying to make quilts work for the compression factor, but I still want a pad.
For me the weight to warmth thing has another factor. That factor is comfort. I am much more comfortable with a properly rated UQ than a pad in the hammock (exception being a small foot/butt pad used w/ the UQ). The pad always bunched and wrinkled at the wrong spot or slid off to the side. I even found using the pad with a double layer hammock to be even more of a problem. The pad didn't move in the double layer meaning I couldn't adjust it. Overall the UQ out weighs (pun not intended) the pad for hammock use for the comfort factor.
I've found that the right pad is very comfortable. The wrong pads can suck.
Which pads are you using these days Rock?
Trust nobody!
I still love my double layer Oware pad I made back in 2004. It's been about 2000 miles in the last 8 years. I don't think Oware even sells that pad anymore. The closest I can find to it is the GG pads which I hear are tougher and that would be a good thing. The Oware pad was never very tough, and my pad has gotten heavier over the years because I keep it together in places with duct tape. It's soft, it doesn't slide a bit, and it's light. But it is as bulky as all get out. With it, and my JRB No-sniveler I made it down into the single digits. Currently my oware pad is about 10.5 ounces give or take a couple of grams. I think (because I haven't hit those temps) I could get this and my JRB Greylock 3 down to single digits.
But these days I am trying to replace the bulk. So right now I have gone to using 3/4 quilts for the bottom and have been experimenting with a JRB Ground Adapter pad for the full length inside the hammock, with a cut down army surplus pad for under my butt. So far I do not like the JRB ground adapter for in the hammock, it bunches up too easy. And the Army pad works OK, but it is too prone to slide. The coldest I have been able to test down to lately is 24F.
A few years ago I thought I found the perfect pad in Wally World egg crate pad because it was soft and didn't slip. But it also didn't keep me warm either. I've also tried ZRest pads with mixed success.
I've tried a couple of inflatable pads but they suck IMO. That said, I'm testing a new pack that uses a Klymit inflatable frame sheet. I plan to try that as a butt pad.
I've tried all sorts of underquilts and none ever beat my cold butt problem. I've only ever solved that with pads. And believe me, I have tried a collection of underquilts
And I've tried the HH Supershelter which I mention since the insulation in it is open cell foam. With the standard open cell foam I cannot stay warm even in moderate temperatures and even using all levels of pad. Back a few years ago I did have some success with a HH Supershelter prototype that used open cell foam but also had a layer of mylar space blanket stuff in there somewhere.
The only real problem I see with pads is their tendencacy to shift from underneath you, but as shug suggested a DIY pad holder or something like can help avoid that. I sprayed in between the liners of my WB with a rubber compound and it helped keep my pad in place. That said, I keep trying to come up with a good reason to buy an under quilt but being in south Louisiana it doesn't really get cold. Still want one though!!
I got my first UQ while I was living in Louisianan.
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