CCF pad

My Zlite and RidgeRest are as thin as I would go. I am a side sleeper so even with those I sometimes readjust during the night to relieve pressure points. I have a 1/8" EVA Pad from MLD and that is much to thin, although I sometimes use along with a Torso/Short pad. Full Length Zlite is 14oz, trimmed down Ridgerest and full length 1/8" EVA is 11oz.

Temperature will make a difference also. I do fine on a Ridgerest. The classic os around $20 and available all over. So an easy choice for me.

You have to decide your purpose for the CCF pad. Is it for thermal insulation from a cold ground, or is it for padding from a hard ground? In either case, you can go a long way toward supplementing a CCF pad if you are carrying lots of clothes that are not worn at night.

Also, I try to sleep for a couple of nights before a trip using no pad at all. I will use a sleeping bag on a carpeted floor. That kind of trains me toward a firm surface so that my sleep is not disturbed.

–B.G.–

I'm one of those side sleepers that simply cannot use a foam pad as my primary source of padding and expect any sleep. Sleeping on my back causes sleep apnea to flair up so that's not an option either. I do use foam pads like the ridgerest as a backup to help augment insulation while winter camping. I could also see using a very thin pad to protect my inflatables if the weight penalty wasn't too great.

Temperature is the limiting factor for me. If I can get the rocks and sticks out of way, something like a RidgeRest or Z-Rest will work for most 3-season stuff. By all means, thicker is better but a basic pad will take the edge off. I do use a synthetic sleeping bag vs a quilt, which I think adds to the comfort with no drafts or cold edges and there is a little warmth and padding gained under, regardless of the compression.

The real discovery in getting a good night's sleep wasn't with the pad, but rather having a good pillow.

A hammock is the real cure :)

Ben,

For a number of years, I used a Gossamer Gear full length 1/8" thin light pad paired with their torso pad, which might add up to 1/2".

Used this all in the Sierras from the shoulder seasons through summer.

On my 2011 JMT trip, which was in August with snow conditions more like July (150-200% snow fall that year), there were a few nights where my back was chilled using my bivy and JRB 25-30F quilt. (I also has placed my empty pack, Golite Jam2, under my legs for additional insulation).

My friend, Jeremy, was using the same pad setup and also felt chilled from the ground.

Those nights were 28-32F.

Since then, we have both moved to a 1/4" full length pad and with torso pad and have not felt that chill since then.

I am a cold sleep, if that helps.

I would say that you could run with a 1/8" pad, always paired with a torso pad in the warm months or if you are willing to have some discomfort on those few nights where the temps dip to freezing or below.

1/4" pad with the torso pad gives me peace of mind knowing that I don't have to worry about getting a chill from the ground.

Alternatively, and this might offend some people, you could try to add to your ground insulation by finding grass or vegetation to put on the ground beneath you to provide some additional protection.

Hope this helps.

Tony

i think the design (eggcrate, ridges, etc) can have a good deal to do with comfort, if not much difference in warmth. I ordered a set of the cosmetic seconds ccf pads offered on here from cascadecraftworks.com, and it weighs less than my old RidgeRest, but because of the solid design of the "pyramids", I find it more comfortable than the ridgerest or the zlite.