GG thinlight w/big agnes clearview

Yes, I sometimes use one under my DAM.

Why not just a piece of Tyvek instead? It will be lighter and compress more and protect as well.

Can I get tyvek at a hardware store? Will it really protect as well?

I used a tyvek footprint on the AT last year and didn't wear it out, but that is pushing it. You can either buy it on ebay by the foot or go to a hardwear store where you can do the same. It's super tough, lightweight and waterproof. You can put it into the dryer to soften it up so it isn't so crinkly.

Good luck!

You can buy it in smaller quantities from Joe at zpacks.com

I also found out that those USPS priority mail thin envelopes are made from Tyvek, and usps.com will send you as many as you want (literally as many as you want, minimum being 10) for free. It would be a MYOG project from Hell to piece together the little envelopes til they are the full size of your bivy, but at least you know know where you can source the stuff for free. I'm going to make little stuff sacks for my tent stakes and poles with the usps tyvek, but I would just go with zpacks for a footprint.
Might be worth checking out the polycro sheet they sell at gossomer gear. Also, Henry at tarptent sells tyvek footprints for his tents…just buy one that is too big and trim down. Shipping might be cheaper for you since hes based outta CA.

But there is no insulation value in tyvek. What i like a bout your current proposal is that you get the boost in R value, which you might need since you're using a clearview

Is this strictly for summer use? Then I think the tyvek/clearview combo can work well. However, for 3-season use, you will want something with some insulation value.

I was concerned about my small Neoair and enough insulation so I purchased the GG 1/8 thinpad for added insulation and protection. I have put my finger through the 1/8 padding. I decided to add a cut down blue foam at 5.5 ounces under the Neoair about 16 ounces total while still being careful where I setup the Tarptent Sublite. Warm, light enough and comfy. I used to just use a heavy CCF pad. The GG Thinpad packs very small.

Jeffrey,

My source for soft, light and unprinted tyvek.

http://ecom.citystar.com/hang-em-high/ushop/index.cgi?ID=9DC31G&task=show&cat=PAPER

Copy and paste the above link into your address bar and it should take you directly to the web page listing both kinds of tyvek carried in Hang-em High's online store.

It sells for $4.50/yard and is 60" wide.

Party On ! 2010

Newton

http://www.materialconcepts.com/products/tyvek/ground-sheet/

8×10 sheets, $30 for hard and $40 for soft…

I have tyvek house wrap for £1 per running metre on a 1.4 metre roll. That's around $1.50/yard at 54" wide. Postage is not too bad from UK to US.

Originally, the clearview was bought for my wife for summer camping. I use a big agnes insulated core. But, then I was thinking that if I added a pad to the clearview I could have a lighter weight pad system for 3 season use. Basically, since I need an inflatable pad to get sleep, I'm trying to find the best way to keep the pad as light weight as possible for 3 season use while protecting it from puncture. Would the 1/8" GG pad offer enough insulation for 3 season sierra use, or should I go thicker? I think I'll still get some tyvek to use in summer.

Jeffrey:

A blue foam pad if you have space for it. Not only is it the cheapest option, it also gives you the most R-value for the weight. Two carrying options:

1. roll it and hang it off your pack, or

2. fold it flat(**) and slide it into your pack first thing. Folded flat, it takes up relatively little space, and makes for a great "internal frame" for a frameless pack.

** Carefully fold the pad in half lengthwise — then fold into thirds. Weigh it down overnight with a bunch of encyclopedias, dictionaries… After that, the pad will "remember" this position — making future foldings a cinch.

Hmmm…the blue pads (3/4 length) at REI are listed at 7.5 ounces with a R value of 1.4. Add that to the 15 oz. clearview and it seems that tyvek and my insulated core pad may be a better, or at least comparable, option. Are there lighter blue pads available elsewhere? I was hoping to drop some weight by using the clearview, but I may not be able to do so. If only I wasn't such a sissy sleeper. :)

I don't know why the blue foam pad is listed at just 1.4 but it insulates well all the times that I've slept on it at 30F — and it even did OK the one time at 17F. My only beef against the pad was the lack of comfort — which was why I "graduated" to a self inflating pad.

Jeff, skip out on the expensive blue foam ones from REI, and get the cheap 6 dollar walmart one instead. You can find it in their camping section (not their exercise section, which has an expensive blue yoga mat). It doesn't pack small, but your GG nimbus meridian will hold it in place with the tension straps across the vertical zippered front. I've placed this pad under a neoair in 24 degrees snowcamping, and didnt really feel heat loss coming from the pad. I was also only using a quilt. For 3 season use, I'm pretty sure it'll suffice. Sorry, cant measure the weight…the pads back in CA, and i'm currently in MA.

You could just trim the blue pad so that it in a mummy profile, and also lop off the bottom 1/4 and use your pack under the clearview. Should lighten the Blue CCF's weight down significantly

Thanks for the idea Konrad. Do you know if the walmart pad soaks up water at all? I think I'll do some surgery on that pad and try it out with the clearview on a cold night and see how it works.

hmmm, its closed cell foam from what I recall, so it shouldn't soak up water. I don't remember it absorbing any water on my trip, but unfortunately I'm not in a position to test it and tell you for sure…someone else could chime in on this

I have blue foam pads from both REI and Walmart. Functionally, they are the same. Neither will absorb water.

Here’s another idea. For winter camping, I bought a 60″x38″ 3/16″thick CCF pad from Oware. It adds .689 R-Value, and mine weighs 5.68oz. The equivalent sized tyvek groundsheet would weigh ~3.25 oz(@1.85sqyd via zpacks). So for 2.5 additional oz, you get a little warmth and a little cushion. At 5.68oz, it’s bulky but can be rolled inside your pack burrito style or strapped just about anywhere w/o affecting center of gravity. You could also narrow it for less weight. I believe Suluk46 sells a similar product.