Glassing Pad?

[USMCret]

So do you take one? If so, do you prefer something like the thermarest Z at 2 oz or what about an inflatable thermarest that comes in at 3 oz ?

 

[Spiral Horn]

I’ve had inflatables fail in the field and no longer trust them. Will be leaving for the Yukon in a few weeks and will be bringing a Z-pad.

 

[justinspicher]

I cut a full sized thermarest foam pad in half. Folded it and stick it between my frame/pack. Its nice to have more real estate when sitting.

 

[ColeyG]

I cut a 16x16-ish chunk out of an old Ridgerest to use for a glassing. Covered it in duct tape to keep water from pooling in the depressions in the foam. I put it under my feet to insulate them from the ground in the tent as well as I use a 3/4 Thermarest sleeping pad most of the time.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I used one from Amazon that folds up nicely. @Mark at EXO had recommended it on a podcast I believe. It worked out good and they come in a 2 or 3 pack for real cheap.

 

[Blockcaver]

I have Thermarest Z-Lite pads (yellow and silver) that are 3 sections and 5 sections long. They weigh about 1 oz per section or 3 oz and 5 oz respectively.

I like the longer one for the after lunch nap up in the rocks on super long 15 hr day sheep hunts in August, although the shorter certainly is OK augmented with your pack if possible.

They are fairly water proof and work great to stand on to get dressed in the opened up vestibule of a small pack tent and to sit around eating.

They will augment the warm of a Thermarest Neoair pad too if you put them underneath. I never found they had enough padding to use stand alone for a good nights sleep though.

 

[Ramem7mm]

I always take one with me. mine is the thermarest

 

[hereinaz]

The folding pads are great for the reasons laid out above. I use one on occasion for the real estate. In AZ, there are lots of rocks, so it doesn’t give much comfort and not a lot of water to protect from during my hunts. I will add a few sections of one next time I go to Alaska.

Check out our LS Wild, Triple S Pillow, at 7 oz it does a whole lot. It’s got a lot of Roksliders using it. Sit pad, shooting pillow, and shooting bag. Being filled, it is more comfortable on uneven ground and warmer.

 

[LCguy]

I just cut a Z lite in half.

 

[mtwarden]

Z seat is too small if you're hunting and doing much glassing imho. I use 4 sections of a Z-Lite pad (20x40") much more comfortable. In addition to sitting on it—I lay on it shooting prone, have used it as a rest folded up and at night I put that 40" section under my inflatable to boost the r rating.

I've got a couple of Z seats, they've been relegated to day hikes outside of hunting season.

 

[BasicUtahrd95]

I really like the folding StHealthy hunter glassing pad. The foam on the Z-seat is too thin and soft in my opinion. Is flattens out, gets punctured, and holds onto little rocks and thorns which can lead to some unpleasant surprises when you move to a new spot and sit down again. The Stealthy hunter pad is thicker, has denser foam, and is covered with cordura. It's much more comfortable and durable without weighing much (6-7oz?).

 

[Wrongside]

Z-Seat is what I use. It works ok, but seems small in the snow. The Z-Pad cut into a seat sounds nice, but the extra ounces keep me away.

 

[WyoBC_99]

I also cut down a Z pad. I have been tempted to get the Z seat to save a few ounces but folks here may have just talked me out of it. I imagine some of that depends on season and moisture too - sitting on snow or wet ground it's real nice to have the extra length of the partial Z pad as I can keep my feet out of the snow.

 

[Salmon River Solutions]

The folding pads are great for the reasons laid out above. I use one on occasion for the real estate. In AZ, there are lots of rocks, so it doesn’t give much comfort and not a lot of water to protect from during my hunts. I will add a few sections of one next time I go to Alaska.

Check out our LS Wild, Triple S Pillow, at 7 oz it does a whole lot. It’s got a lot of Roksliders using it. Sit pad, shooting pillow, and shooting bag. Being filled, it is more comfortable on uneven ground and warmer.

+1 for this!

I use it for sitting, pillow for naps, and a rear bag.

Ken

 

[wind gypsy]

Only ever used the z seat and been content.

 

[Touchdown88]

I've used the Kuiu glassing pads for a few years with good results.

 

[Pilsner]

The folding pads are great for the reasons laid out above. I use one on occasion for the real estate. In AZ, there are lots of rocks, so it doesn’t give much comfort and not a lot of water to protect from during my hunts. I will add a few sections of one next time I go to Alaska.

Check out our LS Wild, Triple S Pillow, at 7 oz it does a whole lot. It’s got a lot of Roksliders using it. Sit pad, shooting pillow, and shooting bag. Being filled, it is more comfortable on uneven ground and warmer.

*looks at wallet*
Why do you do this to me HereInAZ?!

 

[cuerro viejo]

The cut therma pad acts also as a scope protector.

 

[Oakman]

Thermarest Z lite while glassing and then extending it for midday nap

 

[TaperPin]

I’ve carried an inflatable thermarest sitting pad year round since before Monica Lewinsky was playing with cigars in the Oval Office, and have never had a leak or wished it was larger. It’s no bigger than necessary and that’s a good thing.