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Buy if you're a dedicated hammock camper seeking lightweight insulation; skip it if you need serious winter warmth.
Overview
The Insulated Hammock V sleeping pad is engineered specifically for suspended camping, wrapping around your body while you hang rather than lay on ground. Unlike traditional pads that waste insulation on the bottom, this one concentrates its Klymalite™ thermal barrier between two lightweight shells—trapping heat where it matters. At 32 ounces and packing down to a 10×5-inch bundle, it inflates in 15–20 breaths. It's purpose-built for backcountry hammock campers who value packability and core warmth over the robustness of ground tents.
Who It's For
Buy this if you regularly sling a hammock in the backcountry and want to shave weight without sacrificing insulation. Experienced backcountry hammock campers, thru-hikers switching to suspension systems, and anyone setting up at permitted backcountry campsites in the Appalachians or Eastern forests will appreciate the lightweight design. Skip it if you're new to hammock camping and need to test the setup first—investing in a dedicated pad before committing to hanging systems makes sense. Also skip it if you camp on the ground or need serious warmth for winter mountaineering; this pad's R-value is modest and designed specifically for suspension.
Key Features
- Body-Mapping Design: Contoured segments wrap around your torso and create side barriers. Strategically placed non-slip zones keep the pad from shifting against the hammock fabric during sleep.
- Klymalite™ Insulation: Two-layer thermal construction isolates cold air below while concentrating warmth against your core—critical in a hammock where you're suspended rather than resting on ground.
- Lightweight & Compact: Weighs 32 oz and rolls to 10×5 inches. Quick inflation (15–20 breaths) means you can set up almost as fast as you hang the hammock itself.
- 20D Polyester Shell: Durable nylon construction resists punctures and abrasion. Designed to handle backcountry conditions without adding weight or bulk.
On the Trail
You're at a Shenandoah National Park backcountry site on a May overnight with a permit. Your ENO-style hammock hangs between two hemlocks; you slip the Insulated Hammock V underneath, inflate it in 90 seconds using only your breath. At 2,800 feet elevation, May nights drop to 45°F. The pad's contoured design wraps snugly around your torso, keeping you stable as you shift during the night. By dawn, you're warm—the core insulation worked as designed. Your hips and shoulders never touched cold air. At 32 ounces, it added barely more weight than your water bottle, yet eliminated the tossing and turning you'd experience on bare suspension.
Pros & Cons
- Weighs 32 oz—lighter than most competing hammock pads by 4–6 ounces.
- Body-mapping contours eliminate pressure points that make sleep restless in a hammock.
- Packs to 10×5 inches; fits in a stuff sack smaller than a water bottle.
- Inflates in under a minute with only your breath; no pump required.
- R-value of 1.4 is modest; not suitable for three-season or winter mountaineering.
- Requires padded tree straps for safe attachment in national parks—suspension hardware sold separately.
- Non-slip zones grip hammock fabric, not bare bark; careless hanging can damage the contact points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need tree straps to use this pad safely in national parks?
Yes. Parks like Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah prohibit direct attachment to trees—you must use padded webbing straps to prevent bark damage. The pad's non-slip zones grip hammock fabric, not tree bark, so bring suspension hardware rated for your hammock's attachment points.
What's the R-value and is it warm enough for three-season camping?
The pad has an R-value of 1.4, which is moderate. In a hammock, you lose less heat to the bottom than on ground, so it works well for spring and fall in temperate zones (45–65°F). For winter or high-altitude camping, consider adding an underquilt or switching to a higher R-value pad.
How quickly does it inflate, and do I need a pump?
It inflates in 15–20 breaths using only your lungs—no pump required. At camp, this takes about a minute. The low inflation effort is one reason hammock campers favor this design; you can set up in the dark or bad weather without fiddling with gear.
Bottom Line
Buy if you're a dedicated hammock camper seeking lightweight insulation; skip it if you need serious winter warmth.
