Hi, I'm new to hammock camping and I recently got a Warbonnet Blackbird XLC double layer 1.7 with top cover. I am going to travel around the world on a bicycle starting from Amsterdam, first going north around the Baltic sea in Scandinavia in the summer and then going down the Balkans in the fall/autumn, then Turkey, central Asia, India, south-east Asia, Indonesia, Australia, NZ, Taiwan, Japan (to start with). I've been trying to find a proper insulation set up but it's difficult as I can't just go out and test it at intended temperatures since it is about 85F or 28C outside right now. So I will have to predict what I need based on little experience. On top of that, many of the reviews for UQ's and other insulation items like sleeping bags indicate that the temperature ratings aren't accurate at all. I'd like input from you guys.
In India & southern Asia, I expect it to be so hot that I won't need warmth insulation at all, at night temps of around 85F/28C all year in many places. I might need protection from bugs in my back though. I am using double layer 1.7 fabric, but in that temperature I probably won't be wearing much at night except my underwear. I'd rather not take my chances because the illnesses that those bugs carry there can be nasty. What do you guys recommend for that? It should have as little heat insulation as possible.
Outside of those countries, I expect to encounter mostly night temperatures of 50F/10C to 70F/20C-ish, with occasional dips down to 35F/2C-ish. Obviously storage space is a factor. Is there a single insulation setup that you guys can recommend for something like this? Can I just get a down UQ rated for 20F/-7C-ish (because reviews complain that temperature ratings are exaggerated) and use a top cover if it gets too cold and be done with it? Or will I sweat my *** off with a UQ rated at that temperature, and using it around 50-60F/10-15C without top cover (with mosquito net)? I am wondering how temperature flexible a down UQ is and if I can also use it with higher temperatures. My dilemma is that most of the time my nights should be around 50F/10C, and only occasionally they would go into the 30's, and I'd rather not carry additional insulation for that all the way around the world if I am only going to encounter it rarely. So I'm looking for a low-volume solution to this insulation problem. Low-volume is more important than weight since the weight is on my bicycle and not my back, pannier space is the biggest issue.
On top of that I also need a set up for sleeping on the ground under a tarp, as I won't have suitable trees everywhere I go. So I'll probably have to carry a sleeping bag and sleeping mat as well. Same problems with temperature range. I'm not sure I'd use a sleeping mat in the hammock though because it makes it more stiff.
Money is not much of a problem for me, but I wouldn't really feel right cycling around with 500-1k$ worth of hammock insulation. The prices seem a bit crazy. Decent hammock insulation shouldn't have to cost half a grand. I'm not much of a hot or cold sleeper. I think I'm pretty flexible, maybe in the middle. Also I think that on such a long trip, sleeping comfort is very important. If I can't sleep well over such a long time, I think that'd significantly screw with my emotional well-being and cause more fatigue. I'm also a side sleeper and tall, 6'4/1.93m if that matters.
What would you guys recommend?
Thanks
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