How do I get warm on a budget?

**chickenwing** · 12-20-2009, 22:44

HELP!!!!!

I love hanging in a hammock. It is absolutely the best. The problem is this... I don't get much of an opportunity to camp during the summer. I only have 5 vacation days available to take when I want and I work for a company that frowns on me taking my days during our peak season (Spring, Summer, and Fall).

I am currently set up to hang in warm weather. I did a trip right before Thanksgiving with temps that dropped down into the low 40s at night. The gear I had available to me is as follows:
ENO OneLink
Alps Mountaineering 30*F
Polypro Long Johns
Exped Wt Long Johns
Quilted Fleece Lined Skull cap
Thick Wool Socks
Fleece Blanket with foot box sewn in
1 year old mini-dachshund in the bag with me

I was warm with this set-up and slept fairly well, but I could tell that if it got any colder I would not be a happy camper. I want to extend my camping into the moderate winters we have here in South Carolina so I can use some of my vacation days for things other than the honey do list. With the gear listed above, what is the CHEAPEST (I have 2 girls with birthdays in January so I am currently BROKE) way to get into the mid 20s?

Oh yeah -
1) Awesome FORUM!

2) I have a down comforter that is a few years old in the attic that is not being used for anything
3) I don't sew
4) I don't like being cold
5) I would like to DIY as much as possible
6) I am working on a DIY hammock for each member of the family
7) I am not really much of a list person

8) A mini-Dachshund is an awesome foot warmer
9) I have a larger tarp available 12x12 if I need it.

**Peg-Leg** · 12-20-2009, 23:29

Buy a walmart blue pad and sew up your own version of a SPE.

If you're a semi warm sleeper you should be fine.

Good Luck!

**jeffjenn** · 12-20-2009, 23:33

Originally Posted by chickenwing

3) I don't sew

5) I would like to DIY as much as possible
6) I am working on a DIY hammock for each member of the family

How are you doing this w/out sewing?

**KerMegan** · 12-20-2009, 23:33

CCF foam pads and perhaps a Segmented Pad Extender. wide enough to come up your sides a bit, then fluff the sleeping bag over as a quilt and tuck in around the edges. wear a hat- wool or fleece or both.
Hiking or car camping? if Car- get some clips and cords, and rig the down comforter as a peapod, or garlington taco wrap.
HTH, KM

**chickenwing** · 12-20-2009, 23:41

jeffjenn- I have a mother in-law that will do a little sewing for me. She is always on the go so I can't really count on her to be my seamstress. I only got her to put the rolled hems on the ripstop for me.

**jeffjenn** · 12-20-2009, 23:45

In that case the SPE clone should be your best route.

**G.L.P.** · 12-21-2009, 09:09

If you really wanna go DIY...get a sewing machine and learn how to sew...
it's not hard..just takes alittle time

this way you could make anything you want cheap

**LyttleBryan** · 12-21-2009, 09:13

I believe the SPE is one of the cheapest cold weather options.

**E.A.Y.** · 12-21-2009, 10:02

Get two of the cheap walmart blue pads (as someone else said) and try duct-taping them into a segmented pad (like Speer's SPE but with no sewing!)
Curl up under that down comforter.
Switch to the bigger tarp and see if you can find a way of pitching it with the edges right on the ground and rig some way to close off the ends to trap more still air - plastic poncho, plastic showercurtains, whatever you can find.
Wear a warm hat to help keep your head warm.
Consider wearing an extra layer of clothes (don't forget your feet and hands) to bed.