Gossemar Gear pads

**sherpaxc** · 10-02-2008, 09:04

So I'm trying to go as ultralight as my equipment will allow. I've got a single layer hammock that I use but I don't use an underquilt. I'm wanting to lighten up from my Thermarest Prolite 3 short that I use. I have super strength velcro on it to keep me from sliding around. It works well. What foam pad can I use that woudln't be to bulky but keep me warm down to 35-40 degrees? I'll be doing a bikepacking trip in Arkansas at the end of October. Room is very limited.
Thanks!

**Manach** · 10-02-2008, 09:29

The Gossamer Gear pads are great, but I doubt one will get you that low. Two might depending upon how cold you sleep. They're very light and thin and can roll up tight.

**sherpaxc** · 10-02-2008, 09:39

so a 1/4 inch pad in a 20 degree bag with 2 light wool tops on and full leggings and wool socks and a head cap wouldn't do it? I do sleep cool, not cold btw.

**Take-a-knee** · 10-02-2008, 09:44

Originally Posted by sherpaxc

so a 1/4 inch pad in a 20 degree bag with 2 light wool tops on and full leggings and wool socks and a head cap wouldn't do it? I do sleep cool, not cold btw.

You'll need two pads to make it down to 20F. You could consider a Speer SPE and use one GG 1/4in pad along with your thermarest and see how well that works. If you aren't going to buy/build an underquilt, I think you really should get an SPE (segmented pad extender).

**sherpaxc** · 10-02-2008, 10:33

I'm not trying to make it down to 20 degrees, I'm trying to make it down to about 40ish.

**Take-a-knee** · 10-02-2008, 12:27

Originally Posted by sherpaxc

I'm not trying to make it down to 20 degrees, I'm trying to make it down to about 40ish.

I know I can sleep down to the high forties with one 1/4" Oware evazote pad with an Exped Wallcreeper bag rated for 45. You might try doubling up the insulation under your torso, like I said previously, the easiest way to stack pads is with an SPE.

**Manach** · 10-02-2008, 18:21

Originally Posted by sherpaxc

so a 1/4 inch pad in a 20 degree bag with 2 light wool tops on and full leggings and wool socks and a head cap wouldn't do it? I do sleep cool, not cold btw.

It would more than do it for me.

**neo** · 10-03-2008, 11:47

Originally Posted by sherpaxc

So I'm trying to go as ultralight as my equipment will allow. I've got a single layer hammock that I use but I don't use an underquilt. I'm wanting to lighten up from my Thermarest Prolite 3 short that I use. I have super strength velcro on it to keep me from sliding around. It works well. What foam pad can I use that woudln't be to bulky but keep me warm down to 35-40 degrees? I'll be doing a bikepacking trip in Arkansas at the end of October. Room is very limited.
Thanks!

i used the 1/4 oware pad down into the teens on a 3 nite hike with a 32 degree down bag with no problem.

neo

**Take-a-knee** · 10-03-2008, 12:10

Originally Posted by neo

i used the 1/4 oware pad down into the teens on a 3 nite hike with a 32 degree down bag with no problem.

neo

As we all know just because you can do it doesn't mean most of the rest of us can. I served on a A-team with a guy like you, I woke up one morning wrapped up in two poncho liners, a bivy bag, wearing a watch cap and a down vest. Dave McClain was lying there snoring, wearing a tee shirt with a poncho liner casually draped across him, with his size 14 bare feet sticking out.

**jaiden** · 10-06-2008, 21:06

I have two of the wide oware pads and I double one up to 30x40 or so and then put the other one longwise which gets everything but under my feet (I'm short). With creative cutting/taping you could make it the right length.

this gives me a triple thickness, which is probably good to the low 30's. I went to 0F, but that was with another 1/2" pad in addition.