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Sleeping wedge? Thoughts on how to do this…


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  • #1322943
    Sam R
    BPL Member

    @riles78

    Locale: Northern California

    Hi All
    I have been reading around on the community for ideas.. but with little luck. The GG tapered sleep pads are the closest I have come… but a 1" elevation is not enough. I am very open to creative ideas on how to accomplish a "sleeping wedge".

    Background
    A. I have some pretty serious lower back pain if I sleep on virtually any surface that is ~flat
    B. I have sinus issues that kick my arse if I sleep on virtually any surface that is ~flat

    At Home
    I sleep on a normal mattress but I use a "wedge" such as:
    http://www.amazon.com/InteVision-Wedge-Pillow-Quality-Removable/dp/B00AK3VZBA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1416609680&sr=8-2&keywords=bed+wedge

    That wedge weighs a lot (relative to backpacking gear of course) and it is bulky
    The inflatable ones on the market also weight a lot

    So, any creative ideas on how to accomplish a 6-8" graduated elevation from head to lower back (~24" down the pad)? Am I going to need to fabricate something most likely (30D heat seal materials)?

    Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this
    Riley

    #2151063
    Jerry Adams
    BPL Member

    @retiredjerry

    Locale: Oregon and Washington

    I often have a hard time finding a level spot, but a 6-8" slope is easily found. Only problem is, I end up sliding down.

    #2151065
    Sam R
    BPL Member

    @riles78

    Locale: Northern California

    Unfortunately that wont work. The elevation needs to be from my head to my lower back.. not along my whole body length. Essentially bending at my waist. I guess I could dig one out in the ground every spot I stop though ;-)

    #2151066
    Bob Gross
    BPL Member

    @b-g-2-2

    Locale: Silicon Valley

    Carry a few pieces of closed cell foam pad. First, lay a one-foot piece down on the ground. Then lay a two-foot piece on top of it. Then lay a three-foot piece on top of that.

    If the foam is soft enough, you won't notice that the slope isn't perfect. In fact, you could probably use one piece of open cell foam pad in the middle.

    –B.G.–

    #2151072
    Peter J
    Spectator

    @northoakland

    Locale: Temescal Creek

    Hammock people- Couldn't you shorten the length of the fabric on one side of a hammock and pretty much get a custom angle? I know that this doesn't address how to make a wedge on the ground, but it might be an alternative.

    #2151073
    BlackHatGuy
    Spectator

    @sleeping

    Locale: The Cascades

    If you don't sleep in all of your clothes/jackets, could you pack your pack with extra clothes in such a way as to create a wedge?

    or

    could you sew a silnylon or cuben wedge cover, and then stuff it with leaves and other detritus where you camp?

    #2151082
    todd
    BPL Member

    @funnymo

    Locale: SE USA

    What about carrying a larger backpack and a dense CCF wedge. CCF weighs less than memory foam.

    Not UL but if it gets you into the woods….

    #2151090
    Franco Darioli
    Spectator

    @franco

    Locale: Gauche, CU.

    maybe something like this :
    mat lift
    half a blue mat , a piece of shock cord, your pack and in my photo I have a pair of trousers and a sweater to make up the shape.
    About 8" high , of course that will depend on your pack and the full size mat on top
    Both the bottom of my mats and my tent floors are striped with silicone so they grub each other.
    This is the size of the mat I used in the photo when rolled up :
    half mat
    it happens to be the leftover from something I was doing.
    For the purpose of this thread it could be about a foot shorter so smaller in diameter than a Nalgene.
    I don't think that the thinner types will absorb the inevitable uneven meat in the sandwich (pack and clothing)

    #2151099
    d k
    BPL Member

    @dkramalc

    Or building on BG's idea, a thicker inflatable pad folded over two or three times, to accomplish mostly the same thing as the three ccf pads of varying sizes?

    #2151130
    Sam R
    BPL Member

    @riles78

    Locale: Northern California

    I really like this idea.. thank you for the pictures and all. Exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for.
    I do like the idea of making a slope of varying lengths of closed cell too.. but prob easier to roll this style up so less bulky.
    Plus it could be my sit pad.. might have to give up carrying my Alite

    #2151132
    Franco Darioli
    Spectator

    @franco

    Locale: Gauche, CU.

    Another way of doing it , depending on the pack and mat that you are already using, is this :
    mat lift 2a
    mat lift 2b
    That Montbell pillow is just air , the size of an egg when stored, about 2oz with a rubber band around it.
    It already has a bit of a slope .
    Insert that into the back side up pack , add something to make the wedge , however it does not need to be precise because the pack stays/frame will keep the angle.
    You then need to secure the pack to the mat soit does not slide (easier to do with the Neo Air mats) in a similar way to my set up (wrap a fleece or something soft over the buckle) or if you have a mat with eyelets at the top ,to attach a pillow, like the Exped, use those.
    Your boots inside a plastic bag and inside the pack may also work.
    If the set up slips for you, look into using one of those thin anti-slip mats sold for cups and glassware.

    #2151134
    Owen McMurrey
    Spectator

    @owenm

    Locale: SE US

    I like Franco's idea, and sometimes strap my pack like that at the bottom to keep the pad from sliding around. Also use my shoes to level or raise the pad when using a full-length inflatable.
    Really, side sleeping with my legs to the side that I normally have to stretch toward to get my back realigned has proven the best way to keep it from getting out of whack to begin with, but that's relative to my specific injury(actually my pelvis, which affects my back).

    #2151135
    Sam R
    BPL Member

    @riles78

    Locale: Northern California

    Air pillow… even better! I'm going to start there for sure. I have a few of those laying around. HUGE thanks for the great ideas Franco!

    #2151217
    Franco Darioli
    Spectator

    @franco

    Locale: Gauche, CU.

    here is a more elegant solution.
    Make a sleeve out of an old silk liner or something light like that.
    Build the wedge again out of an inflatable pillow and some clothing to make the pointy bit and insert those into the sleeve.
    It should be tight.
    If so it will stay in place.
    (I tried that using my pillow case (also an old liner) and a smaller mat, it works…)Mat lift V3
    Using a modified silk liner for that and a Mont Bell pillow the total extra weight is about 3.5 oz.
    the bits
    my purple pillow case is narrower but longer than needed for this , so about the same weight/volume.

    #2151238
    Morgan Rucks
    BPL Member

    @rucksmtr

    I wonder if the guys luxurylite could build you a cot with a slant.

    Or take half a packable cot with one end elevated and one on the ground

    #2151300
    John Almond
    Member

    @flrider

    Locale: The Southeast

    Theoretically, maybe.

    The problem (as with many of the comfort issues with hammock that aren't insulation related) is center of mass. Due to how the average human body is structured, you want your feet higher than your head in an hammock. This helps prevent heel/calf pressure issues and leads to a nicer night's sleep.

    It would be difficult to structure an hammock to ONLY lift one's upper body, since gravity is going to pull one to the lowest point.

    Hope it helps!

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