Experiment - How Much Warmth Does an Overcover Add?

[Grumpy Squatch]

In my one experiment, between 10°F and 25°F.

I have a Dream Hammock Sparrow with a 1.6 Hyper-D overcover. During this weekend's polar vortex I decided to sleep outside with temps approaching -15°F to test topquilt/underquilt combos. Overall results in this thread: https://hammockforums.net/forum/show...esting-tonight

However, to see what the overcover really added, I attached a small temperature logger (a Senonics Minnow-T: http://senonics.com/minnow.html) to my ridgeline. I was set up in my back yard, and I have an accurate home weather station recording temps every 5 minutes (see QC data at http://weather.gladstonefamily.net/s...et+information).

If I plotted the data between a few minutes after I got into the hammock and until the time when I opened the cover (I was too hot and sweating so I needed to vent) you'll see that the overcover creates a microclimate anywhere from 10° to 25° warmer. Remarkable for just a thin piece of fabric.

Here's the plot:
OvercoverTemp.png

The whole setup was under my UQG Winter Dream shown here:
WinterHangBackyard.jpg

If winter camping is in your future, I think an overcover is a solid investment.

[Rick68]

That is good to know, I just ordered the same hammock..

[Caminante]

Thanks for the data - I'm planning to add an integrated bug net this spring, and follow up with a cover next winter.

[Traillium]

If I plotted the data between a few minutes after I got into the hammock and until the time when I opened the cover (I was too hot and sweating so I needed to vent) you'll see that the overcover creates a microclimate anywhere from 10° to 25° warmer. Remarkable for just a thin piece of fabric.

Wow — I'm impressed with your result — thanks for detailed testing! What a great bit of data!

[BrRabbit]

It's not an undercover that "created a microclimate", it's your body which heated the space between you and the undercover. The undercover only helped to save that heat.

[TrailSlug]

It would be interesting to see more time as it appears the longer the time progressed the less the temp differences.

[JmBoh]

that's pretty awesome!!! i'll be doing some experiments with cold weather gear tomorrow. I also have a sparrow with an over cover. i'll be playing with that too!!! i didn't think it would make that big a difference!!

[PapaSmurf]

Very nice. This is the first time I've seen an actual log of the temperature differences. Most of the other feedback we've gotten has been single measurements or even seat of the pants estimates.

Did you notice a buildup of condensation through the night?

[Grumpy Squatch]

It would be interesting to see more time as it appears the longer the time progressed the less the temp differences.

Actually, I was overdressed and getting hot so I "broke the seal" . I discussed in the other thread - as you see the internal temperature dropping I was already opening the cover to try and cool off. Just before two I opened it all the way and got out of the hammock so the temperatures converged quickly. I adjusted my layers and got back in ... but I moved the temp recorder because of all the frost built up on it and my light hanging on my ridgeline - so no data after that time.

[DuctTape]

Folks would smh at me for using my hammock with the bugnet even in winter. The warmth retention of even the bugnet mesh is significant. I still remember the first time I noticed opening it up on a cold morning and feeling the rush of cold air.