GG Torso Foam Pad – 3/8″

[Monte Masterson]

1/8″ and 1/4″ Evazote is readily available, but 3/8″ is hard to find. That thickness makes it bearable for spartan SUL or as backup to an air pad. Any thinner and sleep is hard to come by, but 3/8″ is an optimum balance of comfort vs bulk/weight. The GG Torso Pad of course makes a solid pack frame and folding Evazote beats rolled for lower volume and easier packability. It’s trapezoid shaped and measures 30″ long X 18″ X 12″. Weighs 2.8 oz. Also is a good size and thickness for camp sit pad.

https://www.gossamergear.com/products/folded-torso-foam-pad-3-8

[JG H]

I like this…

I didn’t even realize GG offered this pad in 3/8. Looking around elsewhere here on BPL, it looks like the R-value of this pad should be around 1.4. We already carry Switchback pads, cut to about the same length, but this option offers 70% of the insulation value at about 47% of the weight. Brilliant.

Thanks, Monte!

[Monte Masterson]

Ron at MLD claims the 1/4″ EVA pads he offers provide about 0.8 R value, so if you add another 50%, the 3/8″ GG has an R of 1.2. I often pack a 20″ X 60″ Evazote 1/8″ thick to enhance other pads, but I also sometimes go with a 20″ X 48″ long 1/4″ EVA instead, although it’s still a tad thin to sleep on as a standalone SUL pad. The 3/8″ GG foam would perhaps be enough however. In the vid below Ron shows the many creative ways you can take advantage of Evazote’s multi-use potential.

 

[John S.]

Been using the original NightLight  for 15+ years, made of evazote back then I think. I noticed the new material is Polyolefin (GG site has typo in name of material).

The original specs were 3.7 oz, 18″ x 29″, with an R-value of 2.27

[Monte Masterson]

I see for the GG Torso pad under materials it says:

. Polyolefin

. PE/EVA

Not sure what that means really. Perhaps someone with knowledge in material sciences could shed some light. I take PE/EVA to mean polyethylene and Evazote, but is that a blend? Dumb question perhaps, I’m baffled. And how does the GG pad consistency compare to pure Evazote? I see the Thinlights (1/8″) are also made of the same materials.

[JG H]

Same materials as their ThinLight pad.

Like you, I have no knowledge of materials science, but here is how Evazote is described:

”Evazote is a highly durable closed cell, cross-linked ethylene copolymer foam. This material is available in two main grades;
EV and VA with the difference between the two being the proportional makeup of the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer”

I’d be curious to know if one was distinctly superior to the other.

[Sam Haraldson]

I left my inflatable at home for a family trip into Yellowstone this Summer and opted for my trusty foam pads (torso length 1/2″ and full length 1/8″).  Although it was tolerable enough and definitely plenty warm and safe I no longer find it to be a comfortable.  I woke up more often to shift sleeping positions.  My estimate is if I was to be on a longer hike that physiologically I would adapt and find comfort in that equipment again but it would take quite few more nights for that to happen.

[jscott]

I always use a thinlite pad beneath my inflatable inside my tent for puncture protection. It also adds a tad bit of R value. For the weight it’s worth it. I’ve never had a puncture, but then I’m obsessive about avoiding this. I also use polycryo under my tent to help keep the bottom clean and yes, add further protection against punctures.

the torso foam pad looks better still in all regards except for weight. But an additional 2 ounces is trivial as weighed against the benefits.

I’m not going back to using these foam pads for sleep, however. No, inflatables all the way.

[John S.]

Evazote is the trade name. It is a closed cell, cross-linked EVA copolymer foam that seemed to be the holy grail 20 years ago. The Mt Washington pad sold by High Country Outdoor Products had specs of 20″ X 60″, .625″ thick, 7 oz. At some point Gossamer Gear could not get it so they switched to another foam. It looks like Nunatak still uses Evazote for their Luna Pad (19.5″ x 78″, 3/4″ thick, 12 oz..ouch).

From some reading, the foams are of differing polymers, cell sizes, densities, thermal conductivities, etc. It would be interesting to have the details of the foams used by different outdoor companies. I’d bet Evazote had the best R-value, but don’t know. Link below is to Evazote 50, a pdf file with some data.

https://www.foamparts.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ev50.pdf

[John S.]

Oware uses Plastazote which does not contain the vinyl chemicals that would require CA warnings, according to Oware. Maybe that had something to do with GG eventually moving away from Evazote.

[Monte Masterson]

Plastazote is substandard though, it doesn’t have anywhere near the resiliency or durability of Evazote. I used a 3/8″ Plastazote pad from Oware years ago. I thought the thickness was ideal, but it just didn’t hold up very well.

Regardless of what the GG Torso Foam Pad is made of, you can bet the quality is supreme. Mr Van Peski wouldn’t put anything out there that isn’t up to par.

The dimensions, shape and thickness of the GG Torso Foam make it the best SUL torso pad I’ve seen. If air pad deflates, this is something that could get you through the night, and with the absolute minimum bulk and weight. Haven’t bought anything all year, but I might have to give in on this one.

[Terran Terran]

I recently used a 1+ R-value ccf pad at around 28*f. It was enough to manage the cold by switching sides periodically. I was using a 10* survival rated quilt. I was able to get meaningful sleep. Comfort wise, I’d want at least a R-3 value. I see on GGG that the Thinlite has been tested with a R-1 value. I believe the one I was using was 1/4″ as well. That would put the GG Torso pad at around 1.5. Not bad.

It was enough to convince me to add a pad. However I went with an Exped Mega Flexmat, then cut it down. With an R-value of 2.2, flat CCF edges it out slightly for the weight to warmth ratio. Still not the most comfortable to lie on, it edges out flat pads. Underneath a 3″ inflatable, it allows me to adjust better by allowing greater deflation.

 

[George H]

The problem when communicating about Evazote foam is that people readily confuse common EVA foams with genuine Evazote.

Genuine Evazote, especially in density EV50 is in a completely different class with superior recovery, excellent teat strength and durability.

Looks like Nunatak is selling the real stuff in many sizes

[Terran Terran]

Comparison of Three Currently Available Ultralight EVA Closed Cell Foam Pads

[Monte Masterson]

MLD website says: “We use Evazote foams as they are tougher and more resilient than cheaper Plastazote foams. We use the lightest EVA available for Goodnight.”

I see MLD’s 1/4″ (6.2 mm) is considerably less dense than Nunatak 6 mm. For example, MLD is 5.32 oz per sq yd vs 8.95 oz for Nunatak.

I remember reading on MLD website awhile back that they source their EVA from the UK’s Zote Foam US licensee. Ron would only sell the highest quality available, but I guess there must be markedly different density grades.

[Mole J]

I have the GG Thinlight for a few years. Last year I got the GG Folding Thinlight. Though also grey and 3mm, the folding version uses a different type of foam and I would say on examination inferior performing to the original. It feels softer and feels easier to compress/damage. I was excited by the concept of a folding Thinlight for ease of packing as a backpad in my frameless pack, but a little disappointed with the nature of the different foam. In reality it’s probably perfectly adequate. Just feels like a cheaper material.

[John S.]

At their next sale, I plan to get a new foam torso pad. My original evazote nightlight torso is still usable with a few burn marks from using it as a wind shield while heating water ; ).

[Monte Masterson]

I simply won’t do an overnight without at least 2.3 oz of Evazote foam and a cut piece of Ridgerest, and that’s as much for comfort sitting around camp as anything else. Last Summer I sewed on pack mesh to the side of my SUL 20L warm weather pack to hold a 1/4″ Goodnight Evazote 33″ X 18″. Pad won’t fit inside the small pack but it doesn’t matter because I always use a cut piece of Ridgerest for structure with a frameless pack anyway. I find the 0.6″ Thermarest provides far more rigidity and comfort than other closed cell foams (when ridges are vertical).

For SUL I carry a fragile torso length Uberlite (5 oz) so if it goes flat during the night I’ll have enough ccf to possibly get some sleep. In that scenario the green Ridgerest goes under hips, pack under shoulders and both on top of 1/4″ Evazote (2.3 oz). The 16″ X 10.5 ” Ridgerest weighs 1.4 oz but it’s also invaluable for back cushion when sitting around camp. I place it between back and tree/boulder/etc and then fold the Evazote 2 or 3 times to place under glutes. For a 3.7 oz combined total the comfort is pretty decent.

 

 

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