That's IT! I've HAD IT with this whole sleeping-on-the-ground BS!

**Gary from Yonkers** · 10-31-2009, 19:56

I just got back from a multi-day trek into a California piece of the Pacific Coast Range, and while the details aren't important for the purposes of this thread, it will suffice to say that this will have been the absolute LAST trip wherein I slept on the ground. (I'll spare the frustrated, expletive-laced rant another time.)

I was hoping I might avail myself of your collective experiences to help select a new sleep system. I have read the official "newbie recommendations" thread, and likewise I have used the search function to seek out similar advice. However, even with these assets, I'm still having a bit of trouble making a decision based on my individual needs. This is where, I was hoping, you folks come in.

1. Weight is a major factor. Not only am I making an earnest effort to move into the realm of ultralight hiking, I usually hike with a fishing pole and often hike with a pistol (for small game)*, so my pack is already heavier than it needs to be.

2. Weatherproof properties are of high importance, too. I live in the very wet and rainy Pacific Northwest, so my sleep system needs to be able to handy nasty weather.

3. I currently have no sleeping bag; my old one has finally given up the ghost, and i need to buy a new one. As such, I am completely open to the possibility using an underquilt. In fact, because I have read in many threads about the hassle of using a sleeping pad with a hammock (not to mention the fact that my Thermarest-style REI pad weighs a ton), I'm even favoring the notion.

4. (edit: I should have mentioned that I'm about 5'11" and weigh, depending on the season, anywhere from 165-180.)

So there ya go. Suggestions? Truth be told, when I first learned about hiking/camping-specific (I had "car camped" with a netting hammock and a big, bulky Coleman sleeping bag with I was a kid), the choice seemed easy; a HH Explorer Ultralight! But once I started reading about other manufacturers, other configurations, bridge hammocks, sleeping pad problems, underquilts, overquilts, blah blah blah...! Well, I'm now thoroughly confused and unsure; help!

Many, many thanks.

GFY

*Before anybody gets all riled up, don't worry: I'm the good, sportsmanlike, ethical, conservationist kind of hunter, not the bad, dog-using, beer-can-littering, cliche redneck kind of hunter.

**Cannibal** · 10-31-2009, 20:09

How much do you weigh? What's your height?

For the weight, the Warbonnet Traveler is one of my favorites. If you're worried about the wet, maybe the synthetic KAQ for an underquilt and for lots of coverage at low weight and reasonable cost, a Speer Winter Tarp. Or, spend a bit more and get a large MacCat tarp. Throw in a top quilt form the Jacks and you're all set.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

**slowhike** · 10-31-2009, 20:44

Welcome to HF JFY.
Check out Just Jeff's web page. It's a great place to look over basic info w/o being over loaded.
http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCamping.html

**Gary from Yonkers** · 10-31-2009, 20:48

Originally Posted by Cannibal

How much do you weigh? What's your height?

For the weight, the Warbonnet Traveler is one of my favorites. If you're worried about the wet, maybe the synthetic KAQ for an underquilt and for lots of coverage at low weight and reasonable cost, a Speer Winter Tarp. Or, spend a bit more and get a large MacCat tarp. Throw in a top quilt form the Jacks and you're all set.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

Somehow Kick *** Quilts slipped under my radar. Warbonnets had grabbed my attention, but their UQ design didn't seem too great to me. And, I was a bit dubious about the notion of using a down UQ in a wet environment... Thanks for the tip!

GFY

**slowhike** · 10-31-2009, 20:55

After re-reading your 1st post, I was probably a little hasty in just giving you a link to Jeff's site. Sounds like you've already done some homework

A decent sized tarp is one of the first things that come to mind when you mention wet conditions.
A larger silnylon tarp is still pretty light, & if you can spare the extra bucks, there are even lighter tarps available. Cannibal has one.

**slowhike** · 10-31-2009, 20:59

Trying to remember if any of the currently available under quilts are synthetic. Any one thinking of one?

**Doctari** · 10-31-2009, 22:12

Originally Posted by slowhike

Trying to remember if any of the currently available under quilts are synthetic. Any one thinking of one?

The KAQs are syn. My favorite is the New River, but then I can only compare it to the prototype from a sleeping bag Mfg original I have that is a bit thin.

OR, if you can sew, a Ray Way quilt can be made into a UQ with ease.

Welcome aboard Gary, You are among friends here & we understand why you are off the ground even without details on your trip.

**Take-a-knee** · 10-31-2009, 21:12

Originally Posted by Gary from Yonkers

Somehow Kick *** Quilts slipped under my radar. Warbonnets had grabbed my attention, but their UQ design didn't seem too great to me. And, I was a bit dubious about the notion of using a down UQ in a wet environment... Thanks for the tip!

Dude, Warbonnets underquilt design ROCKS. Several here (including me) have a Warbonnet synthetic "Yeti", none are for sale. I lucked up and got mine used from someone who just wanted a new Winter down Yeti.

**salmonofdoubt** · 10-31-2009, 21:18

Originally Posted by Take-a-knee

Dude, Warbonnets underquilt design ROCKS. Several here (including me) have a Warbonnet synthetic "Yeti", none are for sale. I lucked up and got mine used from someone who just wanted a new Winter down Yeti.

What!?? There's a synthetic Yeti????

I must know more...

**BillyBob58** · 10-31-2009, 22:11

Originally Posted by salmonofdoubt

What!?? There's a synthetic Yeti????

I must know more...

I just slept in one last night.The best thing about it is you add or subtract layers of Climashield according to the season. But as TAK said, they are no longer available. It would make a good DIY project though.