Adding Fleece to a hammock

[bayview]

I have been making tablecloth hammocks and was wondering if I got some decent grade fleece to stitch into the hammock, if this would work for keeping you warm in cooler climates. I know it is not the same effect as a good UQ, and I know that it would be bulky, but just as a Car Camping hammock and backyard hammock to use.

Stitich it actually onto the hammock staying about 10 inches from each gathered, running a few accross the middle to keep wrinkles and bunching from occruing.

[Osulagh]

You'd have to use a shell of some material that's wind-resistant so whatever heat that is trapped doesn't get caught by a light breeze. On top of that, I wouldn't bet for it to take you very low. I think, it might take some chill away nearing 60F, but this is my guess; you might want to test and report back results.

I'd rather get a Walmart special sleeping bag and tie that up underneath for car camping. Or, get a thrift shop bag.

[gnosticmoron]

I have tried just a fleece sleeping bag (basically a liner) without sewing it in or anything, and any benefit seemed negligible. Even a wisp of a breeze passed right through it.

[Boston]

I've thought about doing this for an indoor hammock. Less for any warmth, and more for comfort vs laying on nylon.

[FLRider]

A single layer of 100 wt fleece (the most common type of fleece sold in places like JoAnne Fabrics) would give you an additional ~5* to ~10* of warmth, in my experience. You'd still want a shell on it to break the wind.

Personally, I might do it for an indoor hammock where the temperatures won't dip much below ~60* F and won't rise much above ~75* F given my roomate's and my climate control preferences, but for outdoors stuff--even car camping--there are much more effective ways to stay warm for the bulk, weight, and trouble. Even regular ol' poly batting (also available from places like JoAnne) in a nylon shell will keep you significantly warmer than a single layer of 100 wt.

Hope it helps!

[cougarmeat]

understand that your heat loss in a hammock is because of convection - wind taking away the heat. People with brand new fleece jackets on the mountain soon learn that though the colors and tailoring are neat - fleece, by itself, is not windproof. I agree that it would feel better against your skin than nylon, but I don't think it would make the hammock "over night" comfortable. I think some kind of double layer to hold a pad would work better.