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Post by cheaptentguy on Nov 10, 2020 20:26:34 GMT -8
Anyone here use a short sleeping pad setup, like in combination with a backpack or sitting pad? If so, pros and cons?
I'm in the southeast U.S. so three season is really four season here. Thinking I could get away with that type of setup for much of the year.
I have a regular sized sleeping pad, but I'm considering buying a shorter one for my daughter that I might could also use for solo hiking when weather wasn't too cold.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Nov 10, 2020 21:26:44 GMT -8
I tried one once. There was something miserable about the backs of my heels or my ankles being in contact with the seemingly ever-hardening ground all night long. Using my backpack helped a little. I already use my sitting pad as part of my pillow.
However, lots of people use short pads and it might not bother you as much.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Nov 10, 2020 21:32:19 GMT -8
I routinely use a Thermarest ProLite short, I’m 6’2”. I get padding for my shoulders to my hips and that’s all I need. I’ve a stuff sack of spare clothes as a pillow. Try various padding lengths at home on your bedroom floor? Just make up the length with whatever padding you can arrange and see what you are okay with.
On snow I’ll add closed cell foam full length pads but that’s not your situation.
The smaller size means less volume to pack and a bit less weight.
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Post by georgeofthej on Nov 10, 2020 22:18:58 GMT -8
I've used a short closed cell pad for a long time, mostly in summer with a sleeping bag. I colder weather, with a quilt, I've used a full length pad, or even two pads: a full length plus a short.
I have to say that, as I get older, a single closed cell foam doesn't give me enough padding anymore and I have to keep rolling over from side to side because my arms go to sleep. I might have to look into an inflatable next year.
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Post by johntpenca on Nov 11, 2020 6:33:26 GMT -8
I tried one once. There was something miserable about the backs of my heels or my ankles being in contact with the seemingly ever-hardening ground all night long. Using my backpack helped a little. I already use my sitting pad as part of my pillow. However, lots of people use short pads and it might not bother you as much. 2nd that. Another situation where it is what works for you. Me, I want a full length wide pad (72"x25"). Others swear by short pads and a pack for the feet. It may be age dependent; as I've matured a more substantial pad is preferred.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Nov 11, 2020 6:43:13 GMT -8
Side sleepers who curl up seem to be the ones most likely to be happy with a short pad.I seem to start out on my stomach, then roll side to side the rest of the night. So far, I have not tried a short pad. rebeccad uses a short pad, IIRC. jazzmom may also, but both of them are relatively short (meaning, to my 6'1", they seem short.)
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Nov 11, 2020 7:53:02 GMT -8
I beg your pardon? My pad is a full 66" long, thank-you-very-much! Yes, I'm short (5'2") and I used to carry what they used to call a "3/4" length Thermarest. Barely noticed my feet not being on the pad because the pad itself was barely an inch thick to begin with. A lot of gear companies have the 5'6" (66") "women's" length now for pads, sleeping bags, quilts, etc. and that works really well for me.
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cweston
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Post by cweston on Nov 11, 2020 8:17:48 GMT -8
cheaptentguy: I realize this is not the question you asked, but if you're looking to save weight in a pad and mostly camp in "3-season" weather, have you considered the ultralight insulated air pads, like Neo Air X-Lite or Sea-to-Summit Ultralight? The regular length of those two are in the 12-14 oz range and pack very small. I used my Sea-to-Summit for several nights at high elevation in September, with temps around freezing. The only night that the pad seemed not quite warm enough was when I was camped on snow, so that would be expected.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Nov 11, 2020 8:30:30 GMT -8
The pros are savings in weight and packing volume. The cons are a matter of comfort that may be an issue for one person but not another. These include the aforementioned lack of insulation for the legs and also the "drop", the difference in the height of the pad and the height of whatever you have under your legs. For example, if the pad is 2.5" thick and you put your pack under your legs for a height of let's say 1", that's a 1.5" differential that can tilt your legs down at an angle that hurts your hips, or it may not bother you at all. There also is the option of cutting a full-length pad down to a length that works for you but is longer than a torso pad. I am a side sleeper and bend my knees so, as Zeke pointed out, I don't need as much length in the pad as my full height. I have not done it but have been tempted to cut my TAR inflatable to the length I actually use and save a couple of ounces. To do that you just need scissors and a household iron, as demonstrated here.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 11, 2020 8:31:56 GMT -8
I have been using a 3/4 length pad for, well, forever, when backpacking. I pair it with my pack under my feet, and even with the NeoAir’s thickness it doesn’t make for much of a drop-off. I think if you are a back sleeper, it would be much more of a problem than it is for a side-sleeper like me. ETA: the pack with all its padding seems to add sufficient insulation. As I’m finding I need more insulation, in addition to padding, I’m all the more inclined to stick with short pads, since the weight difference is greater between the two lengths. Note that for car-camping I have just bought an extra-long, extra-wide pad, and love it Well, aside from it not being at all insulated, which was pretty cold in October. I’ll be pairing it with the old closed-cell pads in future.
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 11, 2020 8:34:16 GMT -8
Oh, and for the record, I’m about 5’5”.
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Post by bobcat on Nov 11, 2020 18:39:44 GMT -8
I used to use a 3/4 pad, but replaced it with a “womens” 66” pad which works well. I am a back or side sleeper, and it did used to bother me when the heels of my feet would be on the ground. Dunno why it took so many years to figure out to stick my pack under my feet! Now, it’s more that my elbows fall off the side and then ache or get cold. For car camping, or canoe camping, or winter backpacking, I now use an xl pad that is wider and way too long, but warm and comfortable.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Nov 11, 2020 18:57:21 GMT -8
it did used to bother me when the heels of my feet would be on the ground I'm glad I'm not the only one. my elbows fall off the side and then ache or get cold That happens to me once in a while. Most of the time I succeed in keeping my arms clenched to my sides all night.
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Post by cheaptentguy on Nov 11, 2020 19:58:01 GMT -8
cheaptentguy : I realize this is not the question you asked, but if you're looking to save weight in a pad and mostly camp in "3-season" weather, have you considered the ultralight insulated air pads, like Neo Air X-Lite or Sea-to-Summit Ultralight? The regular length of those two are in the 12-14 oz range and pack very small. I used my Sea-to-Summit for several nights at high elevation in September, with temps around freezing. The only night that the pad seemed not quite warm enough was when I was camped on snow, so that would be expected. I use a full length Thermarest Venture now, which is 22 ounces or something like that. The main reason I was asking is I'm thinking about buying a pad for my 9 year old (who's not really into camping) and was trying to decide if I just wanted a second regular length pad OR go with a small pad and have the option to go with a lighter setup if desirable. I don't want to put a lot of money into it for now, so trying to figure out what option makes the most sense. Though, I'll likely look at something like the X-Lite or a Nemo Tensor if/once my Venture breaks.
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Post by Westy on Nov 12, 2020 8:11:12 GMT -8
I don't even know where it is......prepping for the CT in 15' went on the weight savings bandwagon and purchased Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Xlite size small. Kept rolling off it every 15-20 minutes. Purchased size regular, problem solved.
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