Any Katabatic/EE Quilt Owners Using Their Quilt with a GG Nightlight Pad?

I use a Katabatic Palisade with the GG nightlight pad almost exclusively, and find that the quilt does such a nice job of wrapping my body that i dont need the strap system, and never use it. Even after tossing and turning, still wake up covered by my quilt. However i think that foam pads are not ideal for pad straps, but that it would work just fine, so long as you dont over tighten the strap, curling up the sides of the pad

Not a direct answer, but like Andrew I don’t use the straps around my pad. Instead, I use the bottom two straps (and not the top strap) to make a mummy-like shape and sleep on top of them. I’ve never been bothered by having them under me. This keeps my swaddled too.

Thanks for the replies!  This gives me some more ideas.  Also, I’m realizing that since I’m going to be combining both a Lunapad and a Gossamer Gear Nightlight pad in the torso area (approximately where the straps would be, I think), I’m guessing this will be a non-issue for me.

Examining my Lunapad more closely, the edge of one layer is fairly flimsy.  But when it is two layers thick, it becomes significantly stiffer on the edge.  So, if I need the clips, I think I’ll be OK.

Now I just need to think about how to protect the edges to prevent the cord from cutting into the foam.  I know I could do duct tape, like Katabatic suggested, but maybe I can come up with something even better.

Thanks!

Rog, I do a lot of camping in the ADK’s where temps get in the 40’s most nights. Sometimes a bit higher, but rarely. Even in high summer, 40’s in the hills is the norm. For one or two night trips out, I use a modded pad Luna/Nightlight pad along with a 20 degree Revelation.

The pad is fan fold cut & taped to about 51-52″ long. Folded it takes up about 400ci in your pack. Or, if you have one of the Gossamer Gear packs, it fits in the pad keepers. Depending on which pad, it can weigh between 7-9oz after taping.

This forms the basis of my pad system for sleeping on. My pillow (a compression bag for my sleeping gear and jacket) is turned inside out, then stuffed with forest duff, extra socks, shoes, whatever, to make up a good pillow at about 8″. My pack usually goes at the bottom of my feet and calves, under my quilt (usually cinched tight.) The lower part of the pad fits into the quilt, loosely strapped in. I rarely use the other straps. Only when the temps get unexpectedly cold… This all makes up a pad about 65-70″ long and is fairly comfortable with a bit of scraping around on the forest floor to level and create a sleeping “pocket” or “trench.” Usually about 2″ of duff around the edges will do it. I have found that a comfortable night sleeping is perhaps the best before or after a long days hike (for me, this means 12 hours of hiking not counting breaks/lunch or about 20-24mi.) Note that this is only for a two or three days and one or two nights. Otherwise, I bring a Neoair, too. ‘Corse, I am getting a bit old and really like my comforts, too.

I have a different take.  I’ve been using a quilt since 2008.  Originaly a Golite 20F, a Hammock Gear 40F, and now a EE relevation 20F.  Have always used them with a GG Torso Pad.  In colder weather down to around 20F, I add a sit pad turned sideways for extra length on top of a GG 1/8 Thinpad.  Below that someone should use a different pad.  I have never used the straps since the first few times with my first quilt as I found using them was worse than not having them.

I’m a side sleeper who doesn’t move much while sleeping, but will flip over a few times during the night while half asleep.  I quickly was able to train myself to retuck the quilt when I do flip.  This involves just taking the upper torso area of the quilt and making sure it is in between my body and my pad with the area behind my neck pulled up to my neck.  Trying to bring the pad into the quilt, like using the straps requires, seems to cause more problems then its worth.  You create extra space that needs to be warmed,  the quilts can’t move with your body much as you curl your legs (backsleepers probably don’t have this issue),  the pad tends to curl or move in a less optimum position as you move around.

Other people have come to different conclusions then me, but its worked for me for 9 years, including hiking the PCT and AT with temperatures down into the upper teens with some strong winds adding a wind chill.  In warmer weather, you don’t normall tuck the quilt under you anyway as you spread the quilt out which makes it harder to expose a side when flipping and you certainly can’t usea  strap then.

I recommend trying a few different ways and see what works best for you.  Trying the same thing more than once can give different results as you adapt to it, so don’t be to quick to reject one way.

I have a GG  Thin Light Foam Pad 1/8  at 41 x 23 and comes in at 1.3 oz. a

Ultra Light, closed cell foam and water proof.

$20 PayPal F & F please/ shipping included

Jay Wilkerson