Personal Information:
Name: Christine Korhonen
Age: 30
Gender: female
Height: 5'4" (1.6 m)
Weight: 150 lb (68 kg)
E-mail: chris@wormguy.com
Location: Western Montana
Date: October 19, 2004

Backpacking Background:
I'm in Montana where I'm enjoying the summers and becoming re-acquainted with winter. I'm a lightweight backpacker mentally, if not always in practice. My summer pack weight is around 19 lb (9 kg), but winter backpacking is still new to me, and my winter pack weight hovers around 25 lb (11 kg).

Product Information:
Designer: Bozeman Mountain Works (BMW)
Model Year: 2004
URL: www.bozemanmountainworks.com
Item: TorsoLite
MSRP: US $69.99
Color: Red/Grey
R-value: 3.0-4.0
Listed Dimensions: 17" x 32" x 1" (43 cm x 81 cm x 2.5 cm)
Listed Weight: 9.9 oz (281 g)
Measured Weight: 10.4 oz (295 g)

TorsoLite Description:
The TorsoLite is a short, self-inflating sleeping pad designed to cushion only the shoulders and hips.

Field Information:
I've tested the TorsoLite in Montana and Wyoming in temperatures from 35 F to 70 F (1.7 C to 21 C) and at elevations from 4500' to 7500' (1400 m to 2300 m).

Use in a Pack:
I used the TorsoLite as support for my frameless pack. As indicated in my initial report, this pad does not support all sides of the pack but instead forms a U-shape, supporting ¾ of the pack's diameter. The pad is tapered at its edges so also doesn't support the full length of the pack in all areas. Although the Bozeman Mountain Works website indicates the pad should be inflated when supporting a pack, I've found that it's easier to get the pad into the pack while it's deflated, and because I'm lazy, I tend to leave the pad deflated in the pack. Even though the pad doesn't support the entire pack, it provides enough of a frame (even when deflated) to support the pack's contents. Since the weather has been cool, I've been filling my pack pretty full. Having a full pack helps the TorsoLite maintain support. The TorsoLite guides the pack's contents into the correct shape and covers any large lumps, preventing my back from feeling them. I find the deflated TorsoLite is easy to get in and out of my pack. Since I have not been carrying the TorsoLite rolled-up, I have not been using the pad's stuff-sack or Velcro strap.

Inflating/Deflating:
Because the TorsoLite is so small, it's very easy to inflate and deflate.   I normally get the pad out of my pack and immediately blow it up instead of letting it inflate on its own. I can usually get the pad inflated in one or two breaths. I try to get as much air as possible into the pad so it is really firm. The valve is made of hard plastic, and it's easy to open and close. Ridges on the side of the valve make it easy to grip. There's a flat plastic grid over the opening of the valve where I can put my tongue to keep most of the air from escaping when I pause to take a breath. The location where the valve is attached to the pad is highly reinforced with thick resin and doesn't yet show any wear where the valve is mounted in the resin or where the resin is attached to the pad material.

This pad is very easy to deflate. I just open the valve, fold the pad in half lengthwise, and roll it up. I lean on the pad while I'm rolling it, but I don't have to put nearly the force on this pad that I do on my full-length pads. I can get most of the air out by rolling up the pad up just once.

Use While Sleeping:
I've used the TorsoLite in temperatures down to 35 F (1.7 C) at night. So far I've been warm enough just using this pad. I haven't yet used the TorsoLite with another pad underneath. The TorsoLite supports my shoulders and hips quite well. I haven't had any problems with body parts going numb. While sleeping, I put my frameless pack under my feet and extra clothes under any cold spots on my legs. I've found it works best to put the extra clothes inside my sleeping bag so they aren't moved around or lost during the night.

I sleep on my side. When I use a full-length pad, I have difficulty getting my butt, knees and ankles all to stay on the pad at the same time. I also have to make sure that my hips and shoulders are in-line with my feet so they all stay warm, though I'd rather curl up into a C-shape. As a result, when I use a full-length pad, I spend a lot of time trying to stay aligned. With the TorsoLite I don't have this problem. I line up my hips and shoulders, but the other parts can go where they will. Since my feet don't have to be aligned with the rest of my body, I can sleep in a more natural curved position. I am able to bring my knees up without worrying they'll fall off the pad since they're being cushioned by extra clothes. Since I have more freedom in my sleeping positions, I'm more relaxed and have found that I get a good night's sleep when I use the TorsoLite.

I haven't had any problems with the TorsoLite sliding around on the nylon floor of my tent or with my nylon sleeping bag sliding around on the TorsoLite.   The TorsoLite has stayed put at night, and I've stayed on the pad.

Wear and Storage:
The TorsoLite has held up very well so far. The valve works smoothly, the seams are intact, and the material doesn’t show signs of wear. There are a couple of dark spots on the top of the pad which I think is ground-in dirt. Other than that, the pad looks like new.

Because the TorsoLite is so small, it's easy to store. I blow it up, leave the valve open, and lean the pad against a wall. The pad fits easily behind my bedroom door or against the wall near my bed.

Likes:
Easy to get in and out of pack.
Quick to inflate.
Comfortable.
I don't roll off.

Will Watch:
Lowest temperature in which I can use the pad.

Test Plan:
I will continue to test the TorsoLite along the trails of Montana and Wyoming at elevations from 4500' to 8000' (1400 m to 2400 m).   I will see if the pad continues to be comfortable as the weather turns colder and will see at what temperatures I need to supplement this pad with a full-length pad underneath. I will continue to use the pad as support for my frameless backpack.

Read more reviews of Bozeman Mountain Works gear
Read more gear reviews by Christine Korhonen

Field Report

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