Some guy from Missouri

Hi all. I am new the whole hanging thing. In fact, I don't officially have my hammock yet even though it was purchased in Oct. I have to wait until Christmas. :D It is a NWT HH Hyperlite that I could not pass up (think along the lines of a good price for a HH Scout - current free offer notwithstanding).

In any event, I got interested in trying all of this through some other leaders in my son's Scout troop who have been hammock converts for a while now. They are mostly using ENO hammocks with various tarps and insulation. I see this as a good way to lighten my load and reduce bulk and hopefully sleep better when backpacking .

When I started asking a bunch of questions about getting myself set up, one of the other leaders pointed me here to check things out. At this point, I am mostly interested in figuring out what the best insulation setup will be for what I do. I am not necessarily interested in DIY stuff at this point because I don't have the time or sewing skills, and it doesn't look like it is really a cost advantage based on what I have gleaned from reading here so far.

I look forward to learning and contributing here. Thanks for having me.

Welcome aboard. For my money, top and bottom quilt for the season in which you plan to use it. Less fiddling around and if you go with down gear, weight and packing are pretty simple.

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Originally Posted by MikeInMo

I see this as a good way to lighten my load and reduce bulk and hopefully sleep better when backpacking .

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Among many other benefits!

Welcome aboard Mike. I'm new too but yes, lighter loads and more comfortable. I only have a half-night in my hammock (rained and I didn't have my tarp :( but it was oh so comfortable.

Enjoy the forum. I've learned a lot from the friendly folks on here.

Syb

Welcome to the Forum, and to hammocking. You're correct about sleeping more comfortably. This is first among many reasons hanging is better. My #2 reason is the cleanliness -- no dirty, wet ground cloth to pack. Depending on your setup it can be lighter and less bulky than tent camping, and probably will be.

As far as insulation goes, the preffered method would be top quilts (TQ) and underquilts (UQ). They're easy, quick, and if down-filled, small and light. Most folks here would say to use what you've got available. Sleeping bags and pads can work with a hammock, but aren't as convenient. Some hangers do combine thin or partial pads with UQs, depending on temperature and the size of the UQ (3/4 or full length). Over in the "Bottom Insulation" forum there are two recent threads that address the pros/cons of each. It'd be worth reading.

There are several cottage industries that produce high quality TQs and UQs. Most of these have their own section on the forum. Check them out.

DM

welcome to the madness

Greetings!! I'm a DIYer and started out using whatever I had; sleeping bag, inflatable pad, blue CCF pad, Blue home depot tarp, etc. i've upgraded a bit, but still have all that stuff avail. If you plan on backpacking, I think down is worth the money because of how small it can pack. Car camping is different, since you can fill your car and just just going back for more stuff :).

On a side note, I've got family in The Show-Me State (mostly northwest). Where are you located?

Thanks for the welcome everyone.

I should probably ask this elsewhere, but am I understanding that most people are not using sleeping bags? That would seem to improve the weight and bulk situation further if I can offset the sleeping bag weight along with the tent and sleeping pad. I'll continue this line of thinking somewhere else.

Pro V - I am in the Springfield area (southwest part of the state).

Welcome to HF. Top quilts are very popular here. But there is also quite a few who use sleeping bags. And most of them that do usually leave it unzipped and use it as a top quilt.

Welcome!! :):) Some guy!!