I don't have the proper insulation for a trip coming up. Cheap/free fix?

**Js29098** · 03-03-2017, 09:23

Hi! I almost always camp in the summer and so I have a 55 degree bag as a top quilt and a 40 degrees underquilt. However, I've been invited by some friends to a 1 to 2 nighter soon. It's supposed to get a little below freezing so I'm not too well prepared. I found a 0 degree bag to borrow as a topquilt, and I'm planning on using a therm a rest prolite plus and a fleece blanket underneath me in addition to my underquilt. Do you think this will be enough? I don't want to buy a new underquilt because I don't really ever plan to camp in these temps ever again, but I also want to sleep comfortably. Thanks!

PS: Borrowing an underquilt is out of the question because I don't have any friends who hammock camp.

**Shug** · 03-03-2017, 09:49

Two pads may do you better....
Use a hot water bottle. Be warm when you crawl in the hammock. Don't go to sleep cold.
Jumping jacks and hot cocoa.
Shug

**TallPaul** · 03-03-2017, 09:52

+ Hand warmers and sleep with a hat on

**UnderDoug** · 03-03-2017, 10:21

Sleeping with a hat and thick wool socks makes a big difference.

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**Tony c** · 03-03-2017, 10:32

Blue foam is good, green foam, yellow.

Just, sucks to carry a bulky pad and sucks even worse to us it on the ground.

Is your hammock double layer? That'll make it easy, if not you just need stick it in or strap your bag to the pad

**Rphen** · 03-03-2017, 11:07

I'm pretty new to hammock camping but have spent many a night tent camping in very cold/extreme conditions (search & rescue). The best advice I have for you is a beanie or two is a must. Gloves. Warm socks. Change your clothes before bed, even the underwear - you need to be dry. Go to bed warm but not sweaty and eat something that will burn slowly in your stomach all night, i.e., not a candy bar! Hot water bottle between the legs. If I follow these principals, I find I can push way past my bag rating and survive. That is not to say I won't get cold, but if I do, it's manageable.

**rweb82** · 03-03-2017, 11:18

I bring a $3 windshield sun shade as added insulation- just in case. It weighs almost nothing, and straps to the bottom of my bag. I can either place it in my hammock, or stick it between my hammock and UQ. A sleeping bag liner may be a good for increasing the warmth of your top insulation. Again, cheap and lightweight.

**Rushthezeppelin** · 03-03-2017, 11:31

Get a CDT and throw it between your hammock and UQ. Should probably boost your bottom insulation by another 15+ degrees. If you fold it in half and place it over the diagonal that you will sleep on you might get even more out of it. Take a pad too as a backup if possible just in case that's not enough....always over-prepare if you haven't tested a setup at the temps you are looking at.

**Js29098** · 03-03-2017, 11:33

Originally Posted by Rushthezeppelin

Get a CDT and throw it between your hammock and UQ. Should probably boost your bottom insulation by another 15+ degrees. Take a pad too as a backup if possible just in case that's not enough....always over-prepare if you haven't tested a setup at the temps you are looking at.

What is a CDT?

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