A sleeping pad is an essential piece of gear for any backcountry adventurer. Not only does it provide a comfortable place to sleep, but it also insulates you from the cold ground. Also, Sleeping pads work inside a hammock they can be inflatable models or dense foam mats. When taking a sleeping pad with you, consider the type of camping you’ll be doing, and the temperature conditions you’ll be sleeping in.
When you sleep inside a hammock then you are exposed to cold from all around. Your hammock will face cold from below, top, and all sides. If you are sleeping close to a water resource then you are at a higher risk of sleeping cold. Now, what can be done to fight the cold wave while you are inside the hammock? A top quilt, an under quilt or a sleeping pad, and a tarp work in most cases.
If you are struggling to handle zero or subzero temperatures while hammock camping it is often beneficial to use a sleeping pad as an extra layer of security. One of the prominent dangers of hammock camping is the convention where the cold breeze blowing underneath your hammock takes all body heat if you are not insulated properly.
Most people like to use a top quilt and an underquilt with a proper rating according to the camping ground temperatures. But if you are camping on colder grounds then it is better to use a sleeping pad along with an underquilt.
Most sleeping bags or quilts depend upon the air between your body and the equipment to give insulation. But when you sleep in the hammock the air squeezes out and the thin layer of air is not sufficient to give you the desired insulation. In this case, you can have a sleeping pad under you.
Sleeping Pad works inside a hammock
Yes, it can work inside the hammock but we can face some problems like the sleeping pad sliding off. But it can be solved easily by using different types of tape, like Non-Slip Rug Tape, Velcro Tape, double-sided tape, and Sleeping Pad Strap to stick the sleeping pad in one place and avoid sliding off.
Types of Sleeping Pad
- Inflatable
- Foam
- Hybrid
Sleeping pads can be of 3 types- Inflatable, Foam, and a hybrid of these two. If you are using an inflatable one then the air inside the sleeping pad will give you perfect insulation from losing any body heat from beneath.
A sleeping pad not only provides insulation but also lets you sleep comfortably in a hammock. People often wake up with a sore neck due to an uncomfortable sleep position inside a hammock but a sleeping pad will even out the surface and will give a better surface to sleep on.
Some people complain about being unable to sleep on sides as it is very difficult unless you are a pro in hammock camping. But using a sleeping pad allows you to sleep sidewise.
A sleeping pad also carries a sleeping pillow which also gives you added comfort while you sleep in a hammock.
A sleeping pad will work inside a hammock, but it may not be as comfortable as you would have experienced it on a camping ground. The sleeping pad will provide some padding and insulation and you can also face the problem of the sleeping pad sliding off, while you sleep inside the hammock. If you are looking for a more comfortable and stable sleep surface, you may want to consider using a sleeping pad inside your hammock.
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