Mil. Surplus vs. Walmart

**Peter_pan** · 09-26-2009, 10:07

Originally Posted by pedro

Pan,

Have you found a difference in the thermal characteristics of the 1/2" milspec pad versus the 1/2" blue walmart pad? What about visually? Do the cells look smaller?

The reason why I'm asking about this is that I use a DIY gearskin pack, which requires a foam pad for the frame. I currently use a walmart pad, and I have an evasote pad, but the evasote isn't stiff enough to make a good frame. It is also so clingy that it makes it difficult to position it into the correct shape. It's a shame, really, because the evasote is much more comfortable than the blue foam, has superior thermal properties, and is lighter to boot.
But I was wondering if the milspec pad was warmer than the walmart pad so that I could have my cake and eat it too.

Pedro

P.S.: Never mind. I think that I can make the evasote pad work. I just have to work on my foam origami-do.

pedro,

The mil spec pads I have are quite stiff by comparision and not "sticky" at all.

Pan

**Peter_pan** · 09-26-2009, 10:12

Originally Posted by oldgringo

Interesting...so, just because a pad is the right color, and comes from an Army surplus store, it's not mil-spec?

Pedro, can you not laminate some evasote to the blue pad?

Oldgringo,

Possibly so.... Case in point is that supplementl and/or local purchase orders for items like a simple pad often results in gear entering a unit that may later be disposed of through the property disposal system.

Plus.... surplus store chains have been know for letting purchase orders directly when popular items from property disposal are not readily available...

Pan

**pedro** · 09-26-2009, 11:13

Well, as near as I can tell, no one has any info to indicate that a milspec pad is any better,THERMALLY, from regular blue ccf from walmart. Neo says that he likes his mainly because it's wider. A good point, but that doesn't matter to me.

Originally Posted by oldgringo

Pedro, can you not laminate some evasote to the blue pad?

Yes, I could, but that is not what I'm after. After playing around a little more with the evazote, I think that I can use it for my gearskin frame without having to wrestle with it too much. I think that it's kind of like the learning curve on inflating an exped downmat with the pump/bag. You just have to experiment with it until you hit on the right "touch".

I guess that could be said for a lot of our gear

. It was just a little frustrating.

**ricegravy** · 09-26-2009, 19:37

I have them both, and I like them both.
The mil spec is smaller but I think it weighs more!
I will weigh them if anyone wants to know.

**climberslacker** · 09-27-2009, 21:05

please do

-CS

**Gary from Yonkers** · 11-19-2009, 02:16

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but did we ever get the respective weights? I'm now facing the OP's dilemma as well...

**ricegravy** · 11-29-2009, 20:51

Originally Posted by Gary from Yonkers

did we ever get the respective weights?

Sorry it took me so long. I forgot all about weighing the two pads!

Walmart Pad: 1lb 3/8oz,

Mil. Surplus Pad: 1lb 7 and 1/2oz

-Ricegravy!

**JohnH** · 11-30-2009, 12:09

My impressions of the two pads:

Price:
Walmart Blue $10 to $15 depending on the walmart (different price at all 3 locally)
Surplus: $4.95 (only one store here in town)

Quality/Condition:
Blue: Brand New (Your average blue pad)
Surplus: Used, condition varies (my store has a stack of 100 in all conditions)

Foam Density:
Blue: Fairly loose bubbles, hard to fold but good heat retention
Surplus: Tightly packed bubbles, easier to manipulate/fold

Overall Impressions:

Although the surplus pads are not "new" I found several that are in new condition. The surplus pads overall seem easier to work with as the material is "smoother" and much more flexible. Price is a big deal to me as I don't have a lot of extra money to play with. I can buy 2 surplus pads for the price of one blue pad.

Just my two cents.