Tester Bio
I live outside a small town in northeast Alabama. I have access to a good hiking area right out my front door, a large tract of woods called Pall-Mill Hollow (pronounced holler). It has a creek flowing through it with several good swimming holes. Caves abound in the area. I spent my youth climbing around the bluffs, swimming in the creek and exploring the caves. I also enjoy hunting, fishing, canoeing, and most other outdoor activities.

Backpacking is my favorite pastime. I consider myself a knowledgeable backpacker but I am not an expert. I enjoy hiking with my friends and family or solo. I limit my hiking to areas fairly close to home, usually within a day’s drive of home. I hike throughout the year and actually hike the least in the hot humid months of summer. My style is slow and steady and my gear is light. However I will sacrifice weight for comfort and durability. A typical 3 season load for me is around 20 lb (9 kg) not counting food or water. I usually sleep in a hammock and cook with an alcohol stove. My backpacking trips are usually 2, 3 or 4 days in length.

Product Information

Manufacturer,	Big Agnes
Manufactured Date,	2004
Manufacturer URL,	http://www.bigagnes.com
Listed Weight,	4 lb 10 oz (2.1 kg)
Verified Weight,	5 lb 10 oz (2.55 kg)
Size,	25 in (64 cm) wide by 78 in (198 cm) long by 2.5 in (6.3 cm) thick
Rolled (transport) Size,	approximately 24 in (61 cm) circumference by 25 in (64 cm) long
MSRP,	$69.95 US

Product Description
Big Agnes calls all thier pads REM pads. My first question was, what does REM mean? A quick search on the Big Agnes web-site revealed it means, Rest Easy Mama. That aside, the REM Hinman pads are the budget minded pads from Big Agnes. What this really means is, the Hinman Pads are built to the same high standards as all REM pads, but the materials used are not the cutting edge light-weight materials used in some of the lighter pads. For instance, the foam is a high density continuous foam while light-weight pads tend to have patterns of cutout areas (holes) to save weight. The Hinman Pads are said to be warmer and softer.

There are 4 sizes of Hinman Pads available. Three of the Hinman Pads come in the following dimensions: 20 in (51 cm) wide, 1.5 (3.8 cm) in thick and a choice of 48 in (122 cm), 72 in (183 cm) or 78 in (198 cm) in length. However, the pad in question, designed to be used with the Park Series bags is much wider and thicker. At 2.5 in (6.3 cm) thick, it is not a wimpy backpacking pad, barely adequate to help make a night on the ground survivable (think Yugo). It is much more opulent instead (think limousine). The pad is blue on top and black on the bottom. To inflate it, simply open the fill/deflate air valve located in the upper right hand corner. The valve has a plastic-like grip surface and is much larger than the valve on my older self-inflating pad. I can spin it an infinite number of turns in the open direction but only a few turns are required to return it to the closed position.

Here is information taken from the website but I have added a few comments in parentheses.

•   High density foam provides support, sleeping comfort, and greater insulation (I like comfort.)

•   More durable tightly woven 70-denier nylon fabric top and bottom (I like tough.)

•   Waterproof all of our pads are waterproof (hmmm... I'm thinking pool float, emergency floatation or maybe gear raft.)

•   DWR coating durable H2O repellent coating sheds water and stains (The easier to keep clean, the better.)

•   Brass valve our "ballistic" brass valve seals tighter due to its fine threading - totally AIR TIGHT and impossible to break! (I have yet to see anything impossible to break except Ellie Mae Clampett's biscuits.)

•   Anti-fungal prevents inner foam from any growth of fungus umungus and bacteria resulting from moisture accumulation. (I don't like having fungus among us either.)

•   Inflation open the valve, roll out the pad and it will self-inflate. Top off with a couple of short breaths. (I have already found that for me, with the 2.5 in (6.3 cm) pad there is really no need to top off, but I did discover and easier way to get more air in... keep reading.)

•   All REM Hinman Pads have a 100% guarantee. The warrantee reads: Our number one priority is to make functional and dependable outdoor products. If you are not satisfied with any Big Agnes product at the time you receive it, or if one of our products does not perform to your satisfaction, return it to Big Agnes for a replacement or refund. Damage due to misuse will be repaired at a reasonable charge. (Sounds fair enough to me.)

Receiving the Hinman Pad
The Hinman Pad arrived on 4/9/2004. It came wrapped in a clear plastic sheath, with a circumference of 21.5 in (55 cm). When I deflated the pad and rolled it back up I did not get it as compact as when it shipped but still compact enough for easy packing. I got a rolled (transport) size of approximately 24 in (61 cm) circumference by 25 in (64 cm) long. A hang tag was included which told a little about the Hinman Pads, sizes available and warrantee information. No repair kit or any kind of transport aid ( stuff sack or straps) were included.

Initial Impression
When I unrolled the pad, my first thought was, no way would it ever inflate to 2.5 in (6.3 cm). However, upon opening the valve and waiting a few minutes it lofted up to very near the specified thickness. I found that if I closed the valve, sat on the pad at the valve end, got off and re-opened the valve, quite a bit more air would enter the pad. I repeated this twice and had the pad pretty much fully inflated. I bounced around on the pad a few minutes, marveled at its cushiness and discovered no leaks. I also liked the information provided on the website which gave a pretty clear explanation of the pad and its features.

Test Plan
I plan to use the Hinman Pad exclusively during the test period. I will be using it in the pad sleeve of the Hog Park bag but I may also use it as a pad for a lighter sleeping bag if I go on a multi-day, high mileage trip. I can easily manage to carry the pad (it fits on the side of my Gegory Z-Pack under two compression straps) but taking the pad along with the Hog Park will leave my hunting a place to store my other gear and food. Got to have room for some food!

Testing will be conducted on several trips around the Southeastern US this spring and summer as well as quite a few overnight trips in my local woods in Alabama. I will record all conditions as they relate to the use and comfort of the pad.

I am keen to find out just how well the Hinman Pad works with several of my hammocks. I have already tried it for two nights inside my Crazy Crib LEX and am pleased so far.

I also expect to test the pad for its comfort on the ground occasionally.   I will be testing the pad's durability and ease getting it in and out of the various shelters I use (hammocks and tents). I will find out the ease (or not) of getting the pad in place inside the pad sleeve of the Hog Park sleeping bag. My initial testing has revealed I need to work on this a little. Following the directions provided it was very easy to get the pad mated to the Hog Park. Simply place the pad on the ground, kneel on the pad and slide the bag (the pad sleeve part) over the pad. Trying it while trying to keep both off the damp ground was a challenge. I will save the details for my Field Report.

I invite you to follow along as I test the Hinman Pad in the coming months. It should prove to be a learning experience for everyone.

Read more reviews of Big Agnes gear
Read more gear reviews by Coy Ray Starnes

Initial Report

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