Custom Cutting some pads

[Stahl]

Just got done making a bag for my pads. I got fancy (or my plans did, at least) and added a set of loops for my fishing pole and a ribbon of grograin for attachment ease. I used 1.7 nylon ripstop (in retrospect, much heavier than I needed) and filament nylon thread (which I hope to never have to use again).
Pretty fun, kept me busy all day. I also sewed a little pouch to put my tarp and ridgeline kit into, for practice. Nothing revolutionary in either design but I'm proud I manned up and made em. My wife spent an hour in near-hysterics at my use of paperclips to hold my hems aligned prior to sewing. I don't quite know why. It seemed to work perfectly well.
What do you think?

[Stahl]

Took my sling and pads out last night, to a friend's house with trees. Setup with the pad. The overnight low was 31*. I had a 3/8" and a 1/4" closed cell foam pad. I was not cold, nor was I hot. The wings on the shoulders and hips were fine, although some squirming was required to get them to lay right. I'm not sure why people don't like pads. I was very comfortable, and the only cool I felt was my face. I need to find a way to reduce their width from 40", but that did wrap up around my shoulders perfectly.
I'm thinking about a homemade SPE. I'll give them a more rigorous test in mid-april.

Thanks for reading!
Stahl

[kobold]

thanks for posting this, sounds like it's working well! i have a few questions
which foam thickness is better to sleep on? are you a back or side sleeper and would this pattern cover your knees on both sides in foetal position?

i think people like pads, they just like down even more ;-)

[Stahl]

That makes sense.. I like vegetable soup, but I like ribeye even more.
I used both pads, layered. I plan to streamline when weather and temperature permit, and I believe (hope) that I can use just the 3/8" for most of the spring/summer or even just the 1/4". I sleep on my side, and back, mostly, and found that the pads made a nice little tube to sleep in. There was a little bit of rippling, but nothing serious and mostly on the edges.
I didn't have any cool spots at all under and around me, when I went foetal (sp) or side slept, so I guess I'd have to say that it covered the knees.
Hope I answered your questions, Kobold.

In the long (financial) run, I do hope to get an underquilt.
This'll have to do for this year tho.

Stahl

[11steve11]

My wife spent an hour in near-hysterics at my use of paperclips to hold my hems aligned prior to sewing. I don't quite know why. It seemed to work perfectly well.

I used to console myself by thinking 'Laugh now, but I'll be laughing later.'
I finally realized she gets that one too.
The only laughing I get to do on my man projects (sewing, cooking, cleaning, laundry etc. in a manly way) is when I laugh 'with' her.

I liked the paperclip idea, they're less pokey.

[kobold]

thanks stahl! i needed the info for a new hh ss pad

[Stahl]

My buddy and I went up the Madison river in Bear Trap Canyon last weekend, and hiked about 6 miles up.



The first night, I used both the 1/4 and the 3/8 inch pads, and, in 35* weather, was too warm. Coverage was excellent, however, and I didn't have any notable cold spots. The pads stayed in place very well, and while they were a bit wide at the shoulders, the sizing there was great. I did get a rumple in the 1/4 pad and a roll at my butt.
Second night, I used just the 3/8" pad, and it was just right. Temps were about the same as the first night, and the single pad was slightly better for sleeping on. Same basic issues.

My analysis: I can take the 3/8" most of the spring and early summer, and when temps get to around 40-45* at night, I can probably use the 1/4". I would like to take a dart out at my butt, to prevent the rolling and rumpling, but that shouldn't take but a few minutes. The major obstacle to the plan is the rolled size of the silly things. I'm still thinking over ways to reduce the packsize.

[PDA]

Reducing pack size: maybe fold in half longitudinally, then roll just like a "normal" foam pad. pack size would be approx 20" wide, and maybe 5" to 8" thick depending on which or both pad(s).

[leaftye]

What hot knife did you get? I'd hate to accidentally by the same one.

[griesl]

I know what you mean about pads - didn't know why people don't like 'em - I had a 1/4 minicell inbetween the layers on my bb and it was really comfy down to 40. However, it was very bulky to carry - especially compared to a 13 oz underquilt.

Brandon at Warbonnet was supercool to talk to while ordering my stuff, and he actually gave me this recommendation: try using two separate pads - one wide up top, and one much narrower under the feet that could maybe double as a sit pad. I found it to work well with the pad. Good luck.