Temperatures: 40 degrees? 30 degrees? 20 degrees? Colder?

**Cannibal** · 11-20-2007, 12:51

Originally Posted by Bootstrap

I have a RidgeRest too, but I'm guessing that will be similarly slipperly?

An SPE should eliminate most of the slippage.

Originally Posted by Bootstrap

Just unzip it and put it on top of me? What all would I want underneath me if I do that?

The pad. If you keep that under you it should take you to at least 40 degrees. I push/pull the edges of the quilt under my shoulders, but if you are laying on a bag and compressing the insulation below you, you aren't getting any value from it anyway and it is probably contributing to your pad moving around. Leave the bottom of the bag zipped for a foot pocket.

**Bug-Bait** · 11-20-2007, 13:03

Originally Posted by Bootstrap

Thanks for the tip! It's getting a lot colder tonight, I wanted to try another dry run in the cold - what am I likely to be able to find here locally for my next attempt?

Jonathan

You could go to Walmart and buy one of their blue closed cell foam pads which is reasonably priced...under $8.00 if I remember correctly.
BTW, I had the same problem with "cold spots" when trying to sleep on a Big Agnes air core mattress. As long as I stayed on the mattress and my arms did not touch the sides of the hammock, I stayed warm; however, once any part of my body touched an uninsulated part of the hammock, I developed a cold spot.
I switched to an underquilt after that. They are much more costly than a foam pad, but it made all of the difference in terms of warmth and comfort.
Just my limited experienced two cents...

**Bootstrap** · 11-20-2007, 13:05

Originally Posted by qpens

I switched to an underquilt after that. They are much more costly than a foam pad, but it made all of the difference in terms of warmth and comfort.
Just my limited experienced two cents...

I guess that's something I'd buy, not something I can easily make myself if I have limited experience and time?

Jonathan

**Take-a-knee** · 11-20-2007, 13:07

Bootstrap, you might try your ridgerest lengthwise and your thermarest crosswise, forming a T of sorts, if the thermarest is a long, fold it in half and don't inflate it all the way, or open the valve after you get on it. You only need the extra width from your hips to your shoulders.

**kohburn** · 11-20-2007, 13:08

i've actually had no problems with my campmore therarest staying put under me. but i seem to be in the minority of hamockers.

**Rapt** · 11-20-2007, 13:18

I'd guess the problem was the fact that a thermarest isn't wide enough to really keep all of you warm in a hammock.

I haven't had trouble with the thermarest moving either, just parts of me sticking off it. On the ground that happens some, but its not usually cold causing when it happens

That's what T shapes and wings are all about, getting coverage for the bits that stick out. (Feet, knees, elbows, shoulders,... etc depending on position you sleep in.)

**kohburn** · 11-20-2007, 13:22

Originally Posted by Rapt

I'd guess the problem was the fact that a thermarest isn't wide enough to really keep all of you warm in a hammock.

I haven't had trouble with the thermarest moving either, just parts of me sticking off it. On the ground that happens some, but its not usually cold causing when it happens

That's what T shapes and wings are all about, getting coverage for the bits that stick out. (Feet, knees, elbows, shoulders,... etc depending on position you sleep in.)

yeah i always pack clothes next to me to keep them warm for morning. a SPE would just hold them in place i guess. probably why i've never had a problem

**Cannibal** · 11-20-2007, 13:31

Originally Posted by qpens

I switched to an underquilt after that. They are much more costly than a foam pad, but it made all of the difference in terms of warmth and comfort.

I agree with qpens. An underquilt is vastly more comfortable IMO. But, $7 or $8 for a walmart blue pad or $200+ for an underquilt could make a difference if you're on a budget. If you have the $$ by all means get a UQ!

As far as making them, well, maybe not a great first project. They aren't too terribly difficult; they just require something I'm still working on: patience. There are directions for the Potomac or KAQ here if you're feelin frisky.

**NCPatrick** · 11-20-2007, 13:36

Before I bought my first underquilt, I used to use 2 blue Target ccf pads formed in a T behind my shoulders. I cut the corners off the pads to fit in the hammock better. Worked pretty well for a low cost.

**neo** · 11-20-2007, 13:45

Originally Posted by Bootstrap

I slept out last night with a hammock for the very first time in my life, I suppose it hit 40 degrees or so. I was using a 20 degree sleeping bag, a space blanket, a wool blanket and a therm-a-rest, with rain pants, a shirt, and a fleece cap. And I wasn't cold, but I wasn't particularly warm either - on the ground, I would have been sweating.

So what do you use to stay warm at 40 degrees? 30 degrees? 20 degrees? What's the coldest you would go down to with a Hammock? At what point to you lower your hammock to near the ground and pack stuff around it?

Jonathan

P.S., Aside from the temperature, it was very comfortable. It did take a little while to get over a feeling of being vulnerable, but that didn't bother me by morning.

i go down in the teens with a 3/8 closed cell pad,30 degree sleep quilt and a
micro fleece quilt liner with no problem,i have gone down in the single digits with a 3/8 inch closed cell pad and a 10 degree down bag no problem.

neo