Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    New Member Nathan H's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    North Eastern England, UK
    Hammock
    DD Travel Hammock
    Tarp
    DD Tarp (3x3) mtr
    Insulation
    Sungpak UnderQuilt
    Suspension
    Original & Kribs
    Posts
    9

    Question Foam Mats/Thermarests Vs Underquilts

    Hi guys,

    I have the DD Travel Hammock 2008 Edition (the one with only 1 entry side)

    My sleep system has always been:

    A Closed Cell foam Mat (NATO Issue)
    A Softie 12 Sleeping bag
    A UK Army Issue Goretex Bivvy Bag
    and if needed a Softie silk sleeping bag liner (Its so small and light the weight is negligible and the added warmth can be great.

    I have never used a thermarest of self-inflating kipmat, thought they were too heavy, and as for under quilts I never even heard of them untill I joined this forum....lol

    I have never felt cold in my set up (Yet!!!!!)

    I have spent may years as a ground dweller just under a tarp before i found the joy of hammocking.

    So my question is personal preferences aside which is the best set-up
    I'm in the UK so Extreme Cold is not really an issue, nor is really heavy snowfall.

    Any advice is welcome but please be honest, facts and reasons why guys and ladies

    thanks in advance

    Nathan H

  2. #2
    Senior Member Beast 71's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Big Lake, MN
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 dbl.
    Tarp
    WBSuperfly w/doors
    Insulation
    JRB TQ & UQ quilts
    Suspension
    Web
    Posts
    1,425
    There is no such animal as the "best set-up"! What's best for you might not work for me or vice-a-versa. As a matter of fact I don't even have a best set up for year round use because here in Minnesota, the summers are jungle hot and humid, and the winters are arctic cold. So sorry dude, ya can't put put personal preferences aside, hammock camping is all about experimenting. Go with what works for you, that's the "best set up", happy hanging!

  3. #3
    Senior Member rigidpsycho's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Lexington, Ky
    Hammock
    dbl layer SBPro & GT Nano 7
    Tarp
    Funky Forest Tarp
    Insulation
    no sew SPE/ Sb Uq
    Suspension
    tree sling/huggers
    Posts
    1,114
    Images
    57
    This is a hard one to answer. Like in the previous post everyone is different on their setups. There are some who like pads only and then there are the ones who use UQ's.
    Chris

  4. #4
    Senior Member sandykayak's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Miami & Okeechobee, FL
    Hammock
    Switchback/DD Superlight
    Tarp
    BDD/DDH SL
    Insulation
    JRBShen/AHE/DDH UB
    Suspension
    Straps/DC-DDH susp
    Posts
    982
    Has anyone tried Gossamer Gear's i/4" thinlite wide pad? It is huge, but I got a nice note from Grant.

    http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/...D:64.251.12.45


    <<HI Sandy,
    The reason the pad is so big is that our hammock customers asked for it. As I understand it they wanted something that came up the sides a bit more so they take these, get inside with it, mark with a Sharpie where they want it to be and then trim it down and "customize" it with a pair of scissors.
    Cheers,
    Grant>>

    The 1/4" is quite thick. I think for summer, I'd like to sew two of the 1/8" ones together.

  5. #5
    Senior Member wisenber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Hammock
    Many
    Tarp
    Depends
    Insulation
    HG,JRB,Leigh,Speer
    Suspension
    disbelief
    Posts
    2,306
    Images
    11
    Nathan,

    A mentioned prior, there is no "best". I can say that a good UQ is much more comfortable to me than a pad.

    It is really hard to describe the difference. A pad (if thick enough) will keep you from getting cold. On the other hand, a nice down UQ will actually warm you up.

    A CCF pad is pretty much indestructible, and impervious to failure from getting wet. That same ability to resist absorbing moisture will also often leave you with a wet back from perspiration.

    I use both. When I'm in an environment that is likely to be extremely wet, I'll go with a pad set up. If I'm likely to have to set up on the ground a time or two for whatever reason, I'll go with a pad. However, I prefer the comfort of a nice down UQ.

    As far as the 1/4" GG pad goes, I don't find it all that thick. I believe it is rated at an R1 or thereabouts. That will take an average person down to 57 F. Most places I hand get at least that cool even in the Summer.

  6. #6
    Senior Member stevebo's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Moreland Georgia
    Hammock
    WBRR
    Tarp
    diy sil argon camo
    Insulation
    lynx
    Suspension
    whoopie slings
    Posts
    2,074
    This is what worked well for me on my last outing: I have a blue walmart ccf pad that I cut several 3/8" holes in (to help with condensation---works like a charm!) I place the ccf pad inbetween the layers of my hammock (a double layer claytor). I also have a homemade UQ---synthetic----made out of some cheap walmart cloth and some insulation I had laying around the house fromanother project. (loosly based on the kick *** quilt--really easy project) Im a pretty cold sleeper, but on my last trip it was down to the high 40s low 50s and I was warm and comfortable! I was very happy with it---warm, and no condensation!
    FYI: If you want to know what type a certain bear is, sneak up behind it and kick it. Then,
    run like crazy and climb up a tree. If the bear climbs the tree and eats you, it's a black
    bear. If the bear just pushes the tree over and eats you, it's a grizzly bear : )


    Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either, just leave me alone.
    --unknown

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Are these mats ok ??
      By Alawlor in forum Pads
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 03-23-2013, 09:45
    2. hh silver reflective mats
      By bwcasolo in forum Hennessy Hammocks
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 04-12-2012, 11:50
    3. Closed cell mats and damp backs
      By IanBristol in forum Pads
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 11-21-2011, 07:42
    4. Roll mats
      By Hey Joe in forum Pads
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 04-25-2011, 16:41
    5. Insulated Air Mats – Is one side warmer?
      By HappyCamper in forum Pads
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 02-25-2009, 16:13

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •