GG Thinlight / MLD Goodnight EVA

The GG 1/8″ thinlite pad is great as an under-pad for an inflatable – been using one that way since 2016 with no regrets. The pad folds in sixths and fits perfectly inside my pack against the back panel, also providing comfort and cushion for the backpack.

As for foam, there are so many different materials, constructions and densities available online that it’s a real challenge to just buy a roll of bulk foam and get the properties you’re looking for in a mat. Even though I do lots of MYOG stuff and make packs, I’ll just buy another GG thinlite when the time comes to replace.

I have to quote Lester Moore (above) “The GG 1/8″ thinlite pad is great as an under-pad for an inflatable”

That’s exactly how I use it. Picked one up a year or so ago and it works great, especially to keep my pad from sliding around. Never leave home without it. Granted it’s not as durable as a 1/2 inch foam pad so I don’t use it as a rough use sit pad,  but then it’s only 1/8 and negligible weight.  Mine is gray.

Ditto.
Cheers

Mmm.  Thanks.

To be honest, I did purchase a sheet of the stuff from MLD during a recent gear buy.  It’s black or dark gray depending on the fogginess of my beer goggles.  Seems like good stuff.  Low or no slip qualities.  I feel it’s a value product.

Regarding GG, I noticed that they recommend using the pad with polycro for added protection/warmth, I’m assuming when used solely as a main sleep surface.  My first look at the GG pad was from watching a YouTube vid.  As in an above post, the user had it folded up as partial pack support.  I like multi function gear. The GG pad (appears) to me to be a smoother finish than the MLD product.  I do believe I’ll have to make a GG pad purchase.  I’d prefer more dimensional size offerings but all is well.

I welcome additional comments , if any.

Happy trails,

Eh.  Just placed a small order with GG.  Grabbed a hat while I was in there too.

I’ll report back with my findings.

Big fan of the Thinlite for an underpad and even more so for a sit/lounging pad. Very handy, pretty easy to stow. Goes great with Granite!

Will the Thinlite hold up for seating (as well) if it is folded over a couple of times or will it begin to disintegrate pretty quickly with the bum pressure on the ground?

I seem to be destroying all sorts of stuff after a couple of uses.

PS.. and why does GG give the weight in grams but the dimensions in imperial?

Mine has held up extraordinarily well as a general sit/lounging pad. It has a few small ragged wear spots, sap stains, etc. but no holes!

Prob would not do so well folded up in a Z Rest chair, in that is your jam. Not enough structure and might cause it to tear.

Thanks Oneil.

“Regarding GG, I noticed that they recommend using the pad with polycro for added protection/warmth, I’m assuming when used solely as a main sleep surface.”

I always use polycro because it’s light and cheap and it keeps sap, mud and some amount of wear off the 1/8″ thinlite pad. That being said, polycro is very slippery against the ground, but the thinlite pad has so much friction that it keeps everything on top from slipping.

They are both good quality. Have both. MLD has more options though. GG is a smoother finish and appears less porous than MLD. No wear problems yet on either. Only use them as a pad under my inflatable. Not sure how well it would work as a sit pad, say on rock or chunky ground. My 1/2″ pad gets pretty beat up for that use.

Nice.  I was thinking the GG is a smooth surface from the few pics .  I recently got the MLD.  It seems to want to pick up debris.  Dunno if because it’s new meaning sticky or if it has something to do with static or both.  When the GG pad gets here I’ll put them both through  the torture test

My dog carries her own 1/2 cut gg 1/8 thick pad. It’s her bed. She seems to light it. I use mine under a women’s thermorest neoair. This gives me a 4.5 rated pad system at 13 oz total. Thats plenty of warmth for even 15-20F at altitude.

I’ve purchased from both GG and MLD and as far as I can tell- the 1/8″ stuff is identical

GG used to offer 4-5 different thicknesses which was pretty handy, they just offer a couple now

I’ve been using MLD large 1/8″ pad for solo winter camping, it almost perfectly takes up the entire floor area of my BD Firstlight- I fold over the corners, reinforced w/ Gorilla tape and put grommets in.  With short shock cords I can fasten the corners to the tent poles.  Really nice to not have your hands/feet/legs/etc not touch thin fabric on snow :). it adds a little r value and if folded into fourths an emergency pad in case of a complete inflatable pad failure

So, Did you not notice: the GG Thinlite (surface and even when you look at the cross section closely) is much more dense than the MLD Goodnight pad. On close inspection, the bubbles in the MLD (Black pad) are much larger than the GG (Grey pad).
Because of this, the Black pad (MLD) actually takes much longer to dry out than the Grey pad (GG).
I would recommend that If you use your pad near any water and want to use it later at night, stick with the Grey (GG).
BTW, it seems a tad tougher (yet less rubbery) too.

I use the GG thinlight primarily to prevent punctures in an inflatable pad. Works great! And yes I also use polycryo under the tent (about an ounce when cut to shape) to add even more insurance against punctures and to keep the floor clean. Especially if the site is wet.

edit: my GG pad is ancient. From the pictures, I think mine is somewhat thicker. It certainly won’t fold like a tablecloth. Plus it’s lasted forever. So probably not the same product. It wants to be rolled rather than folded, and won’t fold flat for sure. Although it could be used as a folded pad against the back of a pack.