Torso Pads 101

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[@sp1keNARF]

I love how you give real ultralight advice and information, rather than clickbait bullshit like literally ALL the other backpacking channels do.

[@nedanother9382]

ALL!?.....for the fun of it...which is your least favorite clickbait UL advice. (6lb base wgts not allowed). And if you want to..who gave it. cheers

[@Jonistired]

Paria outdoor products recharge S is 48x22 inches and rectangular, one inch thicker than a thermarest neo air, one ounce heavier and has a higher r value. Bonus is that it doesn’t make crackling noises. I’m 5’11” and I sleep on my side with knees drawn up. The two inches extra width is enough that my knees and elbows are on the pad. My feet hang off the end but I can put my pack and sit pad under them. Given the added thickness, width and warmth, this is my best choice. The best part is that it costs $120 less than the thermarest.

[@flyweight_adventures]

I like bringing a torso length 1/8” pad for the extra r value under my inflatable, keeps inflatable from sliding around, sit pad, back cushion on my Nero pack and as a bonus it’s a backup in case my Uberlite fails. Btw last uberlite I bought it took 4 returns to get one that wouldn’t leak overnight. Thanks to REI for taking care of it!

[@TapestryUntied]

Great video, as always. My 10 year old daughter and I went on a 3 night trip in Utah this week and she used my torso-length Xlite. She's 54" tall so her pack and sit pad went under her lower legs. I will concede that she's not in the UL gear market but she commented more than once when we passed other backpackers about how much smaller her daddy's pack was than everyone we saw. Since we were miles in the backcountry, she couldn't run away or ignore me while I extolled the virtues of UL. Just doing my part to indocrinate the next generation... :)

[@lifthearth]

Thanks for always putting extra thought into your analysis.

[@MrRobbi1234]

Hey Bungzy, I really appreciate your work! You are so chilled and rational. Even when I don’t agree on every opinion you have I really like to see your point of view. It’s a shame that you only have a bit more than 5k subscribers. Please keep up your work :) FYI: He even answered a email I asked him a couple of years ago. That really impressed me :o

[@wolfeadventures]

👍🏼don’t tell Jupiter🤣.

[@Andy-Mesa]

Cutting weight so you can bring luxury items (like a chair) makes perfect sense to many people.

[@josephstankowich3608]

MLD has 1/8" and 1/4" pads in different length and width options. I've been liking my 3 ft. section of 1/4" EVA alot. I use a 3 ft. 1/8" pad sometimes as well. Love the foam pads. Cheap, durable and never fail. Mix and match thicknesses and lengths depending on the trip.

[@geokite]

1/4 is the way to go, point needles don't get through as often, much more durable

[@tamlin6430]

Great video! I support your recommendations. I bought a large wide uberlite (before there was a wide regular) and cut it down. I need that 25 inch width for my shoulders. Cutting it down to torso length was very straightforward. I also carry a trimmed 1/8 inch CC pad as well. Works for me.

[@yongkim2088]

As usual, a rational recommendation

[@pgreenx]

Totally agree. I never understood cutting weight on something I used 8 hours every day!

[@KrizAkoni]

I’ve used the women’s version of the Xlite as a compromise to get a little more R while shaving a half ounce. At 6’ I still find I like something under my feet though. The torso pad was tempting...glad you highlighted its weird shape.

[@SeniorHiker77]

Good advice, just bought a big agnes discontinued torso pad from steep & cheap to try out this summer. Didn't want to sleep directly on the ground and thought it might be a good option.

[@kirkrozelle1900]

I like a torso pad because it is easy to blow up and much easier to deflate and pack up. If find it comfortable enough as it supports my hips . It helps to put my pillow above the pad on top of a sack so my shoulders are at the top of the torso pad. Also, I use a torsolength 1/4 inch Gossamer Gear insulated pad for my legs. The pad is good for breaks and a safety insulation layer if there is a leak in the torso pad.

[@geokite]

When on the ground, I use the noisy one and 1/4 foam, both full length.

[@evilnine5307]

The reason i use a torso length pad with sit pad combo is that as a side sleeper i feel more stable with the bottom of my legs on the ground . I no longer get the feeling i'm about to topple of the side of my pad . I sleep much better now with this set up.

[@christinaray3168]

I like to pair the torso xlite with a torso length piece of thinlight. I put one end of the thinlight under the end of my inflatable torso pad and I put my pack under the thinlight. My pack props it up a little and there is still a layer between my quilt and my pack.

[@robbystafford8273]

ok, love it. that shape thing is kinda crazy. but you didn't mention a BIG benefit of inflatable torso pads -- much less hassle to blow up!

[@nedanother9382]

I appreciate your input on this. I am in fact considering a "torso" pad. My approach though is to cut down a long pad for the very reasons you mentioned. It was kind of stupid to taper the short pad ...and it really isn't long enough either. The length should be about 54 - 57". My thought wasn't JUST the weight. It was that I take the 1/8" GG closed sell pad for a sit pad. I also have the back pad to my pack. Together they are my back up when the pad pops and with my pack as a base makes a perfectly good end of the pad. More room for my pack inside. If its wet the pack part is out. Problem is Im not just gonna cut my nemo...I have to find a cheap garage sale thermarest to test on. My original self inflating and the subsequent reaction to a horrible night sleep, 4" 25" wide insulated beast at 1lb 12ozs that made one trip just won't cut the mustard. ....actually I could cut that beast down to a 1 lb torso length ...maybe. cheers

[@user-ym6lc7pk1e]

Another excellent video! Never was a fan of torso pads. My legs did not get the rest during the nights being on top of backpack. Leg muscles hurt the next day as a result of lack of warmth and relaxation so much needed during the sleep.

[@Allanrpsx]

what

[@MrDetloebskeliv]

Some comments :) - i actually find the torso pad works quite well - had a torso length xtherm for many years - and the uberlite since it came out - the shape would be a bit off if i had my head at the top of the pad, but i have a pillow extending from the top - so i move 20-30cm futher up - thus having my knees inside the pad as well - i am a stomack sleeper, and a very calm on - that helps for sure - does the mat type work for everybody? definitely not - but with this type of use - it actually works quite well + side is, i have a pad for my kid as well :D

[@anonymouscommenter2278]

Thank you for confirming what came up with sitting at my desk. I will be trying this combination in the spring. Nemo Tensor Short pad 8.4oz (knees to neck) + Big Sky DreamSleeper pillow 1.6oz + 1/8" foam pad sharp rock protection 3oz. Total weight 13oz (370g) which only saves an ounce or two but the 1/8" pad provides multi-purpose use.

[@joevogel5808]

I’ve got a 6 yr old daughter who is all about the UL backpacking life... well maybe I’m adding the UL aspect in there for her, but I’m sure she appreciates the light pack. I have an xlite torso length pad just for her.

[@mikesharratt5816]

I really appreciate your UL reviews. I am 59, so foam pad=uncomfortable. Even when I was a teenager I would get sore hips from foam pads. I really like my Thermarest neo air. Too many people have had bad experiences for me to try a uber.

[@OldPackMule]

Well thought out. 1/8" foam is a big no-no for these old bones.

[@bP-yr3po]

hammock. bro nainer!

[@four-x-trading5606]

I mean if your in a hammock and you have a extra fluffy footbox on your sleeping bag I could see why it would work but I think not being level when sleeping is way too uncomfortable for me

[@four-x-trading5606]

@@Bungzy lol yep definite nope for me!

[@betsybarbera9806]

I'm still waiting for a pad company to make a shorter 60" x 25" Why are all the wide pads longer or large?

[@kevans2337]

Exactly !!! I'm 4'10" and don't need all that extra length.

[@betsybarbera9806]

@@kevans2337 I'm 5'7" but a side sleeper and I sleep with my legs pulled up. I think short wide pad is the way to go, but can't find one.

[@nedanother9382]

because short people suck...according to them. Nemo does have the regular length wide pad which is nice but still 72". You can easily cut your pad down to 60". lots of videos on that.

[@nedanother9382]

@@betsybarbera9806 cut it down baby cut it down

[@wio2189]

Is the Thermarest Prolite the answer?

[@markcummings6856]

👍

[@viewlesswind]

Years ago I found the locals sold construction papers for people to sleep on sidewalks in China. As an avid trail nuts, I bought a piece of the paper and slept on concrete for two nights. The lesson learned is sleeping pad is for wimps. Ever been to Tibet camping 14000 to 15000 ft above the sea level? You ain't gonna see locals using sleeping pads cowboy camping nowhere. The point is sleeping pads are for the pampered, soft people.