How much pad do you need for 20*?

[BillyBob58]

OK- I'm really only starting this thread to give Neo something to chime in on!
But I'm going to try and start my first poll. It's about how much pad the average Joe need's for winter conditions

The advantages of pads versus UQs or PeaPods or Super Shelters are obvious:
1: no worries about the pad getting wet compared to down
2: 99% lower cost
3: durable
4: good for ground
5: nothing to adjust, if you can keep it under you ( SPE cure)
6: Some of us feel like we have to carry one any way due to a likelihood of having to go to ground
7: some others I can't think of right now

Disadvantages
1: not near as comfortable as hammock with out pad, for most folks, apparently. Most folks who have tried both seem to think a pad defeats a lot of the purpose of a hammock: sheer comfort
( though Neo's hammock, and maybe some others with pad pockets, MAY make pad use much more comfortable)
2: condensation ( belongs under comfort?)
3: bulk

Now we know that Neo can do about 8* with a 3/8" pad ( I think hat was the thickness, is that right, Neo?), which I believe I learned today that he folded double under those pretty severe conditions. He has added a .25" pad to this and figures he is good for -10*.

But, Neo is AKA "Eskimo" or "Ol' Antifreeze Blood". I'm just wondering how the average guy does ,temp wise only and not considering comfort, with pads. For instance, there is Ed Speer, who admits he is a pretty cold sleeper. Though he rates his PeaPod for 20* ( I think that is based on how it works for him), some "observed temps" for Ed are 50* with a 3/8" CCF pad. 1/2" gets him to 43*, and 1" is good for 17*. Although, in Ed's book he recommends 2" pads for much below 30*! ( reflecting his cold nature, I guess) Now a 1" full length CCF pad is pretty bulky, though you could cut it down a bit. A 2" pad would be REALLY bulky! Especially when you start adding on for extra width.

So I would like to ask folks here with experience with pads in hammocks ( by themselves, as opposed to used to pump up an UQ ): How much pad do you need for 20*? Or any other temp you have experience with and you care comment on? If you only have experience with a 1/2" pad or whatever, maybe make your best guess about what a 1" pad could do.
Bill

[Tobit]

I have about 4" of extra padding on me, does that mean I can sleep at lower temps?

- JT

[FanaticFringer]

I probably need about 1" at 20°
Might be a bit more than I need but I like to be on the safe side.
Pad pockets really do make a big difference as far as pad comfort goes. Speaking solely from only using the JRB bridge hammock with pad pocket.
Here's a tip that I learned here......for the degree symbol I used above, hold down the ALT button and press 0176 and then release all buttons.

[FanaticFringer]

I have about 4" of extra padding on me, does that mean I can sleep at lower temps?

- JT

Go outside and find out.

[BillyBob58]

I don't know, but it seems like that extra 4" padding should be useful for something!

I used a 1" self inflater 3/4 length and a 5/8" ridgrest and was very toasty at 22*, if memory serves. But on the back porch, bone dry, no wind and a 5* rated synthetic bag. It may have been a couple of degrees colder, I'm not sure. That should be an r-value of about 5, so I'm gonna guess at least 15* for a 1" CCF pad, at least under benign conditions. Maybe a tad lower.

[neo]

i have been down to 8.6 degrees with a worn out 3/8 army pad.i voted below 0 on 1 in pad neo

[neo]

i have been down to 8.6 degrees with a worn out 3/8 army pad.i voted below 0 on 1 in pad neo

my new pad neo


http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...r&imageuser=11

[BillyBob58]

i have been down to 8.6 degrees with a worn out 3/8 army pad.i voted below 0 on 1 in pad neo

Neo, I put that last category in there just for you! I figured you would call it well below zero! Here is something that would be interesting to know: How cold can you sleep comfortably at with no pad at all?
Bill

[Tobit]

Ok, so I see terms "cold sleeper" and "warm sleeper" all the time but this can be interpreted either way. Does a "warm sleeper" mean you sleep warm when it's colder or vice versa?

- JT

[BillyBob58]

I think "warm sleeper" means that, at any given temp, you would be a little warmer than the average guy. A "cold sleeper" would be colder and need more insulation than average, all other things being equal.