Ms_Mudd wrote:Yes, much as I suspected, most would think it sheer lunacy. Perhaps considering it is. I suppose technology evolves for a reason and going low-fi may be less satisfactory in all senses, comfort, packability etc.
Zapruda, I just knew there would have to be someone. Interesting. Even on the Larapinta, that is an extreme-CCF'ing good effort. Did you wear trail runners on that trip btw? Most people seems to insist boots are necessary due to the terrain. I don't know that I could even lift my feet in boots! I am doing some day walks in the Flinders Ranges (borders willing) in the coming months, will not take my boots as not an extended trip.
So, I put my curiosity to a very tame test last night. I lay on the CCF watching TV with the family, the lounge is hot real estate and I am usually edged out of that market anyway. I decided to sleep there as there was a nice breeze in that spot and I think my husband was at his wits end with my sleeping with our ceiling fan on.
Disclaimer- my loungeroom is carpeted and does have an underlay over the concrete slab. I can confirm that the underlay and the carpet are not plush though, we had to gut a lot of the house after floods in 2015 and cheaped out as the kids were still young and we would go 'quality' once they were older if necessary.
Initially I had started my tv viewing (sidelying) with pillows from my bed. I thought for authenticity's sake I would get the pillow I use when out walking (S2S inflatable) and it actually worked better height and firmness wise with the set up, so I used it all night.
It was not bad, not bad at all.
I am going to take the plunge and just take the CCF on my upcoming 3 day walk. The camps should be grassy and/or sandy. I may regret that decision, but am interested to see if I end up any worse off for it.
310g and the bulk of it is not really any more appealing from a packing perspective, but the simplicity could be.
Zapruda wrote:
Please let us know how you go. I often find that if my head is elevated enough then the ccf is even more comfortable. I usually use my food bag + pillow.
Remember, if you get cold you can always fold the pad in half for a bit of extra insulation.
JohnnoMcJohnno wrote:I have a Nemo Switchback but the stupid thing is I've never actually used it. I've considered taking it plenty of times, partly for the ease of set-up, partly because of the zero risk of failure, and partly due (in my case) to the 200g weight saving, which equates to another block of chocolate I could carry instead. It's just that it's really hard to go back to using CCF after a SIM, it packs so much smaller and I know I'll sleep well.
Beds of nails have been used as meditation and healing techniques by Indian yogis and mystics for hundreds of years, as well as by ascetics of various faiths.
It''s not the comfort at all (I slept well on one of the 10mm green/blue ones for 26 days straight in NZ car camping ) but the packed size that puts me off. I just have an aversion to carrying it on the outside.
Lamont wrote: but the packed size that puts me off. I just have an aversion to carrying it on the outside.
Kickinghorse wrote:To explain further.Beds of nails have been used as meditation and healing techniques by Indian yogis and mystics for hundreds of years, as well as by ascetics of various faiths.
Ms_Mudd wrote:Lamont wrote: but the packed size that puts me off. I just have an aversion to carrying it on the outside.
100% agree. I despise the idea of bits of orange foam finding their way into wilderness areas from an externally placed pad. When loaded out with the kids, I have put mine in the side pocket of my One Planet Canopy effectively and on my last snowy/sleety trip of the year in September, I put it at the base, using the gear loops, it stuck out too much for my liking there, but was quicker and easier to access rather than trying to wedge it back into a side pocket.
I am all packed out now for 3 days and it easily fits inside the Canopy with oodles of room to spare. I could fit two of them in there. I am walking with friends and not kids, so only have my gear to contend with. Much more satisfactory to have it inside the pack.
One thing that does bug me about the short version of the switchback is that it has an uneven amount of sections, so when 'accordion' folded up into a 2 section width to better fit packs or to sit on as a raised seat, it is unevenly stacked. Probably doesn't bug me enough to buy a regular and cut down though to +1 more fold than the short. I also would not cut down my short size -1 to make it even. Hmmm actually...maybe I would
Ms_Mudd wrote:Lamont, do tell if you get one and if it fits inside your wee rucksack. You are running a smallish Wilderness Threadworks pack aren't you?
Ms_Mudd wrote:...Exped offering is lighter (and smaller) than the Switchback, so I could even potentially take the GG Thinlight and Flexmat ....
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