Pads are for ?

[KMACK]

So...what pad should I get???

Lifes to short, lets move on.

[GOLFER]

foam or no foam. I need a good underquilt.

[GOLFER]

with a good pad 8-)

[GOLFER]

anyone know a good hammock joke to cut the tension here.

[Fiddleback]

I like pads as extra insulation in the winter, but they tend to make my back sweat in warmer weather. Poking around on sailrite's site this morning, I found this:

Foam Dry Fast Open Cell 2" x 48" x 72"



This seems like it would be the ultimate pad - it doesn't retain water/moisture, and is breathable. $$$$$$$, though. I would use a pad for the hammock if it would breathe.

I did a lot of internet reading before I committed to a hammock. On Sgt Rock's site, hikinghq.net , I learned about Hennessy hammocks and Oware pads. I also picked up the tip to cover the pad with a light piece of fabric to combat condensation under the shoulders and back. And that's what I did for the first trips.

I got a light fleece throw from Campmor (the same as #82223-B) and clipped it to the pad using some plastic spring clips I found in the office supply section of Target. It worked well enough. The throw stayed in place and didn't seem to change my comfort level. The thing is...I'm not sure it impacted the condensation either. The one time my shoulders were wet I was overdressed, i.e., too warm. Other times I"ve not been affected by condensation and I think that's because of the climate in my home range...it's neither warm nor humid at night. Another reason I may not be bothered is that I now wear a Smartwool base layer as part of my sleep system. That has some nice wicking.

I eventually stopped using the fleece throw. With the clips, the added weight was 13oz which is pretty substantial...more than 5% of my base weight. I couldn't be sure I was getting any benefit from all that weight. But for those who do have a condensation issue with pads, I'd recommend they try the fleece throw thing. They're $10.97 in Campmor's most recent catalog.

FB