Paco Pad Alternatives

[GN YAKN]

Hey all you rubberites and rubberettes!

If someone wanted to get a cheap alternative to a paco pad, would one of those big rubberized floating pool mats work? They run under $100 at the pool supply store.

Dave

[Roger]

Breaux Dave, it would work but not be the same. Durability and storage, design of pad in supporting a reclining body, etc. Is it for a trip? You gonna sleep inside a house on it? Get a real river sleeping pad.

NRS has one for 149 dolares+USAM's cut+shipping=? Bet you can find something with reduced price and similar construction on Amazon or what. And it works for overnight guests as well!

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp? ... eptid=1604" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can use it on your next western river trip!!

[Moniker]

We can use for flotation in my Buffalo and you can sleep on it at night .Sounds like a win-win.

[Deuce]

Aire Landing Pad.

[reedo]

I got mine off of sierra trading post. I cant remember what brand, but its awesome and it was cheap. good luck!

[okieboater]

Having used many pads before getting my first JPW Paco Silver back pad, I can honestly say there is not a substitute for the real JPW pads.

Over the years I have ended up with several of the various JPW thickness pads.

All are good but the only way to go is big time 4 inch Paco Silver back.

While others are running around looking for a spot, I just throw down my Silverback on rocks or what ever and enjoy a great night's restful sleep.

Yup, they are expensive so buy now. These pads are an investment! I do not know how long they will last. One of mine has over a decade of hard use and still sleeps like a new one.

JPW makes the pads in NM with genuine USA craftsmen and craftswomen. They use hi quality raft fabrics for the exterior and hi quality USA foam for the inside. Most other pads (even those assembled in US) use el cheapo China made foam which (I know this from personal experience) will break down in a year or so. And, are made in the sweatshops of China.

If you have a problem with anything made by JPW, call and you will most often talk direct with JPW owner Jack. Same for email. Try that with the China made products.

Pay your hard earned money one time with JPW genuine Paco pads and use the product for the rest of your boating career or buy the China made stuff for a bit cheaper and replace it every year or so.

[Ryan Center]

I had to bite the bullet and buy two of these, cause i didn't want to part with mine when my wife went camping. Dave, I know they are expensive, but you can't go wrong with the paco pads. I have spent probably 100 nights sleep on mine and it still feels like it did when it was brand new.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[Crane]

Paco pads are another of the several gear catagories where you're well advised to spend the extra money to buy the best... when you weigh comfort and durability over maybe 20 years, the cost per use gets very, very reasonable. Buy the Jack's Plastic welding paco pads and be happy, happy, happy! The only real choice is which thickness will satisfy you.

[Richard]

Have I introduced you to a cot. It is a genuine Paco Pad alternative. It will take any pad. Doesn't require manicured ground. Doesn't need trees. No getting on your hands and knees. Very stable. It does not slide out from under you.
Can not be used as floatation.

[okieboater]

Richard,

My favorite bed is my genuine roll a cot with my genuine 4 inch thick Paco Pad along with my big pillow just for kicks. Depending on weather either a sheet for cover or one of my nice warm sleeping bags.

Beats the heck out of sleeping on the ground for sure.

Sleep well and a cot and Paco pad is the way to go!

[iYak]

I've got back troubles and toss and turn at night to get comfortable - can't turn over in a cot, so I can't sleep well.

We have the Maria version of the Paco Pads and the foam is not as thick as it used to be. I would recommend getting the Paco Pads with the thick foam.

[Richard]

As Dave mentioned, there is nothing finer than a cot with a Paco Pad on top. I don't have a Paco Pad but I sleep on a cot at home and away unless I am on someone's couch or camped in my car in a Wal Mart parking lot. My bed at home is a cot with an LL Bean 3" pad. 30" wide. My cot on the road and on the river is much the same. I sleep very well and turning over is not a problem.
The cot is 26" wide and the key to comfort is having a 30" pad on top. That way you are cradled and the pad keeps you from feeling the bars.

[okieboater]

Here is the answer to cot width issues:

HIGHEST QUALITY AND MADE IN THE USA: Aluminum frame is high strength alloy 6005A-T61. The fabric is a heavy duty 1000 denier polyester mesh that is strong and breathable. Hardware is grade 5 steel and Camp Time® manufacturers all its products in Spokane Wa.

SPECIFICATIONS: Three sizes to meat your needs: Standard Roll-a-Cot = 74"x28"x15" erect, 37"x5"dia rolled, 250 lb capacity, 10 lbs weight. Wide Roll-a-Cot = 74"x32"x15" erect, 37"x5"dia rolled, 250lb capacity, 10 lbs weight. Long&Wide Roll-a-Cot= 84"x32"x15" erect, 42"x6" rolled, 250 lb capacity, 13 lbs weight. All are Royal Blue and aluminum frames. Patent #5109556

from the roll a cot home page AKA camptime

forgot when I got my original roll a cot. lots of use and abuse and it still looks like and performs like new. The material they use is bomber tough some sort of mesh that drains water and dries in a flash.

[Crane]

Dave... If you insist on going the cot method (I assume for your bride) holler at me before you buy one. I may be able to let loose of a brand new one... Crane