How much warmth?

[litetrek]

I going backpacking in Sumter Natl forest next weekend along the Chattooga River. Its pretty warm lately with nightime lows around 70 degrees. So, I'm wondering just how much insulation ?I need. Summertime sleeping in a hammock is still a mystery to me. Here's what I've got. Clark TX-250 hammock, arrowhead jarbidge 20 degree underquilt, 20 degree down top quilt, 3/4 ridgerest foam pad, army issue woobie, fleece throw. I'm thinking that either of the following combos would work....foam pad with woobie and maybe include the fleece, underquilt with woobie, I think the down quilt and underquilt combo will be will be too hot. I'm not one to get cold easily. Any opinions will help me decide.

[TrailSlug]

I think the pad with woobie and include the fleece and you will be good to go.

[dkurfiss]

65 to 70F I use a PLUQ under me most times with a PL over me but that only works to 65 for me. After that I pull out down. Each of us are very different when it comes to how cold we sleep or don't sleep

[litetrek]

65 to 70F I use a PLUQ under me most times with a PL over me but that only works to 65 for me. After that I pull out down. Each of us are very different when it comes to how cold we sleep or don't sleep

That's true but opinions are a starting point. I was in the north georgia mountains with similar temps about 18 months ago and the 20 degree top quilt and 20 degree underquilt combo about burned me up.

[litetrek]

Its only one night and it will be 70 degrees so its only a comfort issue. I'll be OK no matter what I take. I'd rather be comfortable, though.

[litetrek]

Unrelated but the dinner is making me look forward to the trip. I'm cooking dinner. Steaks on the fire and mac and cheese with steamed zucchini and squash. Any thoughts? No dessert planned yet. Still thinking about that part. The guys (mostly first timers) are depending on me and I want to deliver. I'll freeze the steaks solid and I made a little cooler to hold them in my backpack with R-8 per inch foam board. I've done it before in cooler weather (75 vs 95 F) without the homemade cooler and the steaks were still cold when I took them out of my pack, so I'm pretty confident my mini cooler will do the trick.

[dkurfiss]

That's true but opinions are a starting point. I was in the north georgia mountains with similar temps about 18 months ago and the 20 degree top quilt and 20 degree underquilt combo about burned me up.

What I do is put my quilt on but push it to one side under me. That way when I get cold at night I just put it under me and I am good. I also leave the ends open so it's vented.

TQ stays tossed off me until I need it.

[Scarecrow]

I think the pad with woobie and include the fleece and you will be good to go.

I'm thinking that'd work as well. I used nothing but a 20 degree synthetic mummy bag in the hammock last night, and did just fine. Not a cold spot on me, and it got down to about 62 degrees in the non-insulated sun room I was in (I was testing a TD stand). Pad, woobie, and fleece should work for ya in the expected temps you'll be in.

[BrianWillan]

Its only one night and it will be 70 degrees so its only a comfort issue. I'll be OK no matter what I take. I'd rather be comfortable, though.

The conventional wisdom regarding insulation choice is that it is much easier to vent a quilt that is too warm than try to get extra warmth from a quilt that is not rated for the temperatures you expect (ie using a 40F quilt when a 20F is a better choice).

I tend to not use pads in a hammock as I find them finicky and run into condensation issues.

Cheers

Brian

[SilvrSurfr]

I've always used an UQ up to 70* F and have never vented. If I'm gonna vent, it will be on top. I never got hot underneath, even with a 20* UQ.

On occasion I've used a fleece blanket on top when it's hotter than 70* F, but it's rare.