Backpacking Comfort

You'd get over it, if you knew that there were snakes & leaches wanting to play on the ground with you.

I had a distant cousin, and we were in the same Battalion together in Vietnam, and so in the same Operations Area. He elected to sleep on an air mattress on the ground. While he was sleeping, a leach burrowed through his eyelid and into his eyeball.

I elected for the hammock.

He had problems with that eye for years.

Hammock sounds great to me compared to leeches.

It would definitely cut a bunch of weight. I guess I need to try it out. Might love it.

Try it before you invest a bunch of money. Some folks don't like hanging. My son loves it. I do it every now and then but never sleep real well in them.

Mark Jones

I'm not sleeping very well now with what I've got... I guess I need to try it and see what I sleep worse in, then go the other direction! 

Yeah, I'll see if I can borrow someone's, but most likely the two that there are will be used unless I go sometime when they don't.

My first thought would be to go with a cheap hammock and see if you can handle it, but they are nowhere nearly as comfortable as a "Hilton", and the "Hiltons" are not prohibitively expensive.

The big difference is that a cheap hammock is often just a net, while the latter is made of 7.25 ounce Parapack or Cordura. This not only provides an insect-proof barrier, but also prevents your backside from having that distinctive "waffle pattern" when you get up in the morning.

Happened upon the Warbonnet hammocks online and I think this might be what I'm looking for! Still gives you a fairly flat sleeping surface for those who don't like to lay on their back the entire night.

http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/ridgerunner-hammock/

I agree. I and others have tried the hammocks and went back to tenting. So try a cheapo and if you can sleep like that..then buy a good brand that will last a long time. My son is all about hammock backpacking. He has it down to a fine art. They are out this weekend backpacking in this heat. Camping at the jumping cliffs.

Mark Jones

Claymore wrote:My first thought would be to go with a cheap hammock and see if you can handle it, but they are nowhere nearly as comfortable as a "Hilton", and the "Hiltons" are not prohibitively expensive.

The big difference is that a cheap hammock is often just a net, while the latter is made of 7.25 ounce Parapack or Cordura.  This not only provides an insect-proof barrier, but also prevents your backside from having that distinctive "waffle pattern" when you get up in the morning.

My brother bought me a Klymit Static V2 sleeping pad for Christmas. It only weighs in at 16.3 oz and at 2.5 inches thick, is pretty comfortable laying on it on a hard floor at the house. Can't wait to hit the trail to give it a try.

I was using a self-inflatable Thermarest pad weighing in at around 2 lbs and not thick or comfortable by itself. I added the ultralight backpacking cot and it made the nights fairly comfortable on the trail, but at also around 2 lbs, I was carrying over 4 lbs in my pack just to sleep decently. If this cuts it for me then I'll have shaved 3+ lbs off my pack weight!

I'll be trying this pad put on our annual cold weather camp coming up in a couple weekends. Now if it would just get cold.... Was comfortable in a T-shirt today at work...

3 weekends back one of the guys had one very similar. Worst nights sleep he ever had... it went flat on him. GRIN! When they hold air they are very nice. When they go flat...(notice I said when as they will go flat) you will need that patch kit and some soap to find the hole.

I have over the years had many of these type of pads. It always comes down to a slow leak and sleeping on the raw ground too many times for me to count.

We have a lot of thorns and briars around I never take my pads out of the tent but some how they get a leak in them.

I sent in a 125.00 goose down insulated mat because it had such a slow leak I couldn't find it even in a bathtub of water and spray soap on it.

One of these days they will make one that can't get a hole in it and that will be the one to have. Light and bomb proof.

I get a laugh at myself. I brought the luxuary light cot on 3 outings and didn't even set it up...each the morning after..I was grumbling I wished I had sat it up. I did set it up the last time and it was the best nights sleep I have had.

We are all different. You guys may not have the same little thorns that keep mine loosing air. Either way. I look forward to hearing the event reports and the reviews on stuff that you enjoy.

Mark Jones
p.s. That is a cool looking mat.
http://www.klymit.com/index.php/static-v2.html

I am thinking that I may get a lightweight CCF sleeping pad as well. While they aren't compact, you can get them pretty light. That would give me a base cushion under the inflatable, give the inflatable added protection, and in the case that the inflatable does spring a leak, give me at least some cushion through the night.

Phillip Gross wrote:I am thinking that I may get a lightweight CCF sleeping pad as well. While they aren't compact, you can get them pretty light. That would give me a base cushion under the inflatable, give the inflatable added protection, and in the case that the inflatable does spring a leak, give me at least some cushion through the night.

Yes. Add the 2 together and the bulk and you will still shave off a bit of weight and bulk.

I won't be bringing the luxury lite cot down into the Grand Canyon or for long miles backpacks...light is key there...sleeping comfort takes a back seat to pack weight on the long haul for sure.

Each trip we take I weigh the pros and cons of gear I take. I enjoy it.

Mark Jones

Any suggestions for a backpacking stove? I am considering the MSR pocket rocket.

Great stove! I've got it and it'll boil water in 10-15°F. It's lightweight and compact. I like it.

Ok...comfort. Weight... BRAND NEW Helinox Ground Chair. Weighs in about the same weight as my stadium seat pad that I always take. Time will tell. Comfort or weight.
My son has one. He is super light weight fobia and he brings his.

http://www.campsaver.com/helinox-ground-chair

I found my other stove hiding out in one of my backpacking boxes. It's a crux lite. Small but it is very bad at simmering. I need to order me one of those china stoves about the time I do it will turn up and I will have two of them. GRIN!

Mark Jones wrote:

Phillip Gross wrote:I am thinking that I may get a lightweight CCF sleeping pad as well. While they aren't compact, you can get them pretty light. That would give me a base cushion under the inflatable, give the inflatable added protection, and in the case that the inflatable does spring a leak, give me at least some cushion through the night.

Yes.   Add the 2 together and the bulk and you will still shave off a bit of weight and bulk.  

I won't be bringing the luxury lite cot down into the Grand Canyon or for long miles backpacks...light is key there...sleeping comfort takes a back seat to pack weight on the long haul for sure.  

Each trip we take I weigh the pros and cons of gear I take. I enjoy it.  

Mark Jones

I've done backpacking before and the miles you put in usually make sleeping later quick and easy.

Mark Jones wrote:Ok...comfort.  Weight... BRAND NEW Helinox Ground Chair.  Weighs in about the same weight as my stadium seat pad that I always take.  Time will tell.  Comfort or weight.
My son has one.  He is super light weight fobia and he brings his.

http://www.campsaver.com/helinox-ground-chair

Looks good. Packs to about the same size as the cot I've been carrying. Maybe when I drop more weight by getting the Zpacks tent I'll add some back in with the chair.

I sat in one of those at MEC before Christmas. very comfy and very light.

Good to hear. I'll have to check into one of those.

I am not sold on it yet. Still have to use it a few times before I get there.

We are going out this Thursday and Friday for a over nighter discovery of a new to us area. Will give it a try then.

It was 4 degrees here this morning. It's been a bit chilly outside working...looking forward to some warmer days ahead while were camping.

Big Bat Cave Campout is coming up in 3 weeks. Already have 70 signed up to go..I only opened it up yesterday on email to sign up. 7 churches ready to go. (want to know the truth they are all LOOONY TUNES just like me.) GRIN!

I wished we could all get together and sit around the campfire and talk for a while.

It would be fun.

Mark Jones

I agree.

That would be a good time, sitting around the fire and the Guano.. roasting marshmallows.

It gives them a special flavor.... or so I've heard.

I was wondering why those powdered sugar donuts I fry at the opening of the cave are so popular..it's that occasional drip from the cave roof into the hot grease that makes it pop and crackle while frying the donuts.... YUM! Guano filled donuts!

I think were up to last years count already and the event it's 3 weeks away. Our National Commanders boss will be there with his boys again! Woo Whoo!

It's going to be a great year in Royal Ranger Ministry. I am hoping that Trump (with God's help) gets the economy rolling again and tight fists turn loose of that money and it gets to flowing again so we can have even more and more folks hearing the Gospel through Royal Rangers!

This next Thursday and Friday my son and I and a small group are going out to Lead Mine Conservation area. Only 50 miles from Springfield and we have never been there. All kinds of places to go to...we just need to ask and do some research.

So who wants a donut?
http://readyrangers.tzo.com/2011Batcave/DSC_0080.jpg
Mark Jones