Sleeping pad security loops- who actually uses them and how do you use them?

[moops]

So, I'm curious...every bag I own has the "sleeping pad tie-down loops" but no pad I own has a similar mate...

So...

Do any of you actually use these things and if you do, can you explain how you use them?

I don't typically have a problem falling/slipping off my pad, but I'm wondering if am I missing an other advantage of using them anyways?

Just curious.

[skimaxpower]

I've used them before in a snow cave, where there are actual consequences to rolling off the sleeping pad. For the most part, it's just extra weight to carry. Expedition-quality bags do not come with these loops.

To use them, people string shock-cord through the loops and around the thermarest.

[Shorty_J]

You can get elasticized straps with clips that go around the bag for a few bucks. Check REI or equivalent.

I've used them and I've also not used them. If you really don't want to roll of your pad, check out the Big Agnes system... it's nice.

[Cocximus]

My Versalite doesen't have these loops. Wish it did because I roll off all the time. Any ideas?

[GeezerSteve]

The straps are a half ass way of sorta converting your bag to a Big Agnes-type pad-sleeve bag. I tried them and they don't work nearly as well as a pad-sleeve system. If you want a system like that, do as ShortyJ recommends and get a BA or other pad-sleeve system.

Also, unless you sleep your back 100% of the time, the straps defeat using a mummy bag in its most efficient way. Mummy bags, when "mummied up," are designed to roll with you. That is, when you mummy up your bag by drawing the draw string around your face, you can't roll inside the bag. Does that make sense?

My most comfy sleeping bag is a pad-sleeve design, a highly DIY-modified now discontinued FF bag. I can mummy it up, but only if I sleep on my back. There is a weight penalty for using a pad sleeve bag, around a 1/2 or so in my case, but it's an extra 1/2 lb. I am willing to carry on many trips for the increased comfort.

An ultralight roll inside option is a quilt system, like the Nanatuk, but that discussion is for a different thread. I'm DIY modding a FF custom Vireo to make it into a quilt system.

daught, you can sew on loops with care.

[lowsparkco]

I thought they were for hanging the bag when not in use ???

[GeezerSteve]

No, not those loops. OP is talking about a series (2 or 3) loops on either side of the bag, one set near the zipper and the other on the opposite side. You can run straps that go from one loop, under your pad and then to a loop on the other side.

[hutash]

Never had a bag with those, so I have no fucken idea what you guys are talking about. Not that that is anything new.

[auvgeek]

Never had a bag with those, so I have no fucken idea what you guys are talking about. Not that that is anything new.

Same here.

[zackw]

I got a sleeping bag with a few of those straps over the summer. I found the straps to be a pain and am thinking about cutting them off. That said, I'm a lite sleeper and usually stay on the sleeping pad during the night