Initial Report

Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite Sleeping Pad

Date: August 11th, 2004

Reviewer Information

Name: Jim Sabiston
Age: 50
Height: 6' 3" (1.9 m)
Weight: 207 lb (94 kg)
Width at shoulders: 21” (53 cm)
Email address: JimSabis(at)aol(dot)com
State: New York
Country: USA

Backpacking Background:

I've been camping since my teens. My outdoor activities include backpacking, canoeing, sea kayaking, snowshoeing, mountaineering and cross country skiing. I have expanded my backpacking to include winter mountaineering, back country skiing and ski backpacking. I have received winter mountaineering training with Chauvin International Climbing Guides. I actively study ways to backpack lighter and more efficiently. During the summer months, my style tends toward very light, but not quite ultralight. I use a hammock or tarp for warm weather, and a small four season tent for winter trips. Most of my other gear is very changeable, as I am constantly experimenting with gear and techniques.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Bozeman Mountain Works
Year of Manufacture: 2004
URL: www.bozemanmountainworks.com

Manufacturers Specifications:

Pad Dimensions:
            - Length: 32 in ( 81 cm)
            - Width:  (top) 17 in (43 cm), tapering to 12 in (30.5 cm) at the bottom.
            - Thickness: 1 in (2.5 cm)
            - Weight: 9.9 oz ( 281 g)
Pack Size: 8 in (20 cm) X 4 in (10 cm)
Color: Red top and larix (think a kind of brown/grey) bottom
MSRP : $69.99 US

Pad Dimensions as measured:
            - Length: 31.6 in (80 cm) Note: measured down the center of the pad. The outside dimension of the pad (top corner to bottom corner, following the taper, is 32 in (81 cm))
            - Width: (top) 17 in (43 cm), tapering to 12 in (30.5 cm) at the bottom.
Thickness: 1 in (2.5 cm)
Weight as measured: 10.4 oz (295 g)
Packed Size: 8.5 in (21.5 cm) X 4 in (10 cm)

Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite Sleeping Pad:

The Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite Sleeping Pad is intended for ultralight backpackers. It takes the self inflating sleeping pad concept to its barest minimum size in an effort to minimize bulk and weight while maintaining the comfort advantages that make self inflating pads so popular. It is similar to other pads on the market with the very notable exception of its size. The concept behind the pad, in keeping with an important aspect of the ultralight philosophy, is for it to be used as part of a sleeping system. This means that the TorsoLite pad is intended for the user’s upper body (shoulders to buttocks), while the head and legs are cushioned by other items, such as a pack and/or clothing.

Initial Impressions:

The Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite Sleeping Pads arrived in a small cardboard box that was surprisingly light. The pads arrived folded and compressed in their red stuff sacks. A hang tag, in the form of a small booklet, is attached to the stuff sacks draw string. The booklet shows the Insul Mat and TorsoLite brand and model names and provides information about the TorsoLite and a little information about the manufacturer. Note: I have been assigned two pads, one of which is to be used in ways that should encourage failure of the pad to determine its durability limits.

Opening the stuff sack reveals a really small, rolled up sleeping pad tightly wrapped in a clear plastic sleeve. Visible inside the sleeve is a white tag similar in appearance to those “Do Not Remove” labels seen on mattresses. The tag is not physically attached to the pad, but held in place by the plastic sleeve. Removing the sleeve and unrolling the pad reveals two items, one being another small label indicating that the pad is stored in a compressed state and may take 30 minutes to inflate the first time. The label also goes on to state that the pad should be inflated and deflated several times before actual use. The second item is a repair kit, which includes what appears to be a tube of glue and two patches of material, red and larix in color, matching the pad materials. Inside the re-sealable pouch of the repair kit are repair instructions, care and use instructions for the pad and, in a nice thoughtful touch, a Velcro strap for securing the rolled up pad. The sleeping pad is essentially as described on the Backpackinglight web site: a small, foam-cored self-inflating pad finished with a rip-stop nylon cover.

Naturally, I couldn’t wait for the pad to self inflate, so I helped it along by blowing into the easy to use black plastic twist valve located in the upper left corner (when facing the top of the pad). It only took one breath to inflate fully! The diamond pattern of the expanded foam core is easily seen through the rip-stop nylon covering. The welded side seems where the top and bottom covers meet on the pads edges are .5 in (13 mm) wide. Some very slight cutting irregularities make it apparent that the seam edges are cut to size after welding. I had to look very closely to see this and it assures a tighter seam, as the method gives a solid joint right to the full trimmed edge.

Deflating and folding the pad is a breeze and takes a fraction of the time required to stow a full size pad. The separate strap seems handy for keeping the pad tightly wrapped while handling it and really simplifies sliding it into the stuff sack. 

Materials and construction appear to be of excellent quality.

Fit:

I am right on the outside limit of fitting the Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite Sleeping Pad. Placing the pad on the living room floor, I tried it on for size. When properly positioned, the pad supports my shoulders and buttocks with little or no room to spare! This is true when lying on my back or my side.

Summary:

Things I like:
1 – Light weight.
2 – Really small pack size.
3 – Full, 1 in (2.5 cm) comfort!

Things I Don’t Like:
1 – Nothing to mention yet!

The Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite Sleeping Pad offers an interesting concept in ultralight gear. It will be really interesting to develop a sleeping system to build on the comfort the pad offers. It should drive some interesting multi-use ideas in order to maximize the usefulness of the light weight. I expect that the small pad size will allow applications not practical for larger pads.

Test Plan:

The primary focus and goal of the testing program will to test the effectiveness of the Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite sleep pad in its primary function: as a sleeping pad. Intended as a very specialized minimalist sleeping pad, it will be interesting to see how much comfort is compromised, if at all, to achieve the very light weight and small pack size. My goal has long been to lighten my pack as much as possible without making material sacrifices in my comfort level when camped for the night. I have already adjusted my gear to suit the dimensions of my Therm-a-Rest Ultra-Lite ¾ pad. The TorsoLite will force the next level of refinement to my gear kit. I am already in the practice of using my pack as leg padding and insulation when needed.

Of interest will be both the utility of the Bozeman Mountain Works TorsoLite sleep pad design and its durability. The unusual, minimalist design naturally draws attention to the aspect of comfort. I’m a big guy, but not overweight. I am right at the outside size limit of 32 in (81 cm). Accordingly, it will be interesting to see if the pad proves to be large enough to suit my sleeping style, which tends to shift from side to side during the night. This is almost certainly going to be one of the primary points of interest with this sleeping pad. How small can one go before it is too small? Naturally, this is also a function of the size of the backpacker as well!

The insulating characteristics will become an item of interest during cooler weather, and especially so during the winter months. I find it interesting that Bozeman Mountain Works chose to keep the pad thickness at 1 in (2.5 cm) after in-house development testing. This implies sufficient insulation for winter work, as it is equivalent to my current pads in this respect. The sleeping pad’s size will come into play here, as well. A smaller pad will be easier to slide or roll off during the night, with predictable chilled results! Another consideration will be to see if the size is too limiting to provide sufficient insulation for cool weather hammock camping.

Other aspects to be considered:

- General ease (or difficulty) of use: Does the pad self inflate easily, even in below freezing conditions, does the pad deflate and pack easily?
- Can the air valve be operated easily when wearing gloves?
- Is the construction tough enough for it to live in my backpack or daypack?
- How slippery is the pad? Will it resist sliding around a plastic ground sheet under a tarp or the silnylon floor of a tent?
- Will the small pad prove to be more effective used inside a sleeping bag rather than outside the sleeping bag?
- In the interest of multi-function applications, is the pad durable enough to be used a seat pad in my Lost Pond Boat canoe, or on a rocky outcrop while enjoying a meal or just a restful moment, or:
- Is the pad durable enough to be used as support inside a lightweight pack? Will this work in the inflated and/or un-inflated condition?
- Can the pad replace the foam back of my backpacks during the day?
- Does the pad offer enough support to permit sleeping in a lean-to or on a rocky ledge, or must I seek out soft ground for my shelter and sleeping spot?

Testing to Failure:

Using the pad as an unprotected part of the pack structure should be a good, practical test, as will using the pad as much as possible on rocks and in my backpacking canoe as a seat. (A 207 lb (94 kg) rear end would stress any material in these applications!) The canoe will also subject the pad to considerable environmental stresses, such as water, sand, and dirt. Initially, I will focus on ‘normal’ uses for the pad that other lightweight backpackers are likely to use. If required, extraordinary stress and conditions will be applied and documented, as will ease of repair once failure is accomplished. The extra sleeping pad provided will be used in this respect.