Newb needs some advice.

[saharrison67]

Hello everyone, new user looking for some advice.

I've been contemplating breaking into the hammock camping experience for some time now and I finally went whole hog and bought two setups to do some experimenting this summer.

I bought a Hennessy Explorer Deluxe Asym Zip with hex fly and 96" tree straps and I also bought an ENO Doublenest with the Guardian Bugnet.

I intend to do some summer camping with nightly temps dipping down to about 10-15 degrees Celsius. (50-60 F)

Now this is the most puzzling part to me. What will I require to stay warm at night with these temperatures ? I would like to take one of the hammocks with me for an overnight 25 KM hike next weekend but I'm really unsure what to bring for warmth. What is the lightest setup I can get away with considering I don't want to spend much $$$ until I get my feet wet.

Any advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[Shug]

You can use a camping pad...Thermarest or closed cell foam. It will do the job until you have time to explore all the hammock insulation options.
Bit of a learning curve on hammocks but it is fun and worth it for most.
Read through all the Bottom Insulation threads. Tons of info there....http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/f...splay.php?f=88
Carry forth.
Shug

[Bubba]

As Shug said, a pad is a good place to start. Inexpensive plus you may already have one or know someone that does. If you can sew or know someone that does you can convert an old sleeping bag. Some people have even just rigged an sleeping bag as an underquilt. For a top quilt, its just as Shug shows in his video. Have fun and good luck.

[saharrison67]

Would a wool blanket work as well as a CCF pad ? I think it would cause me to sweat much less as I have read that the pads are bad for that.

[engine386]

as if you haven't taught me enough already, thanks shug

[bayoubomber]

Welcome, if you're into DIY stuff you can experiment with making your own top and under quilts. I kinda skipped the pad level and went straight into TQ and UQ's. Ive researched and found that all these older guys (more experienced) kinda know what there talking about, example Shug. Experiment in your yard before you go into the woods, oh and have fun!

[Fish<><]

Maybe but you might have a problem with it bunching up in the hammock. I used a polartec at home for a while and it works well, but it does tend to bunch up a little leaving you finicking with stuff while you are trying to sleep. I would recommend a no sew poncho liner under quilt. They cost around $20 and they are easy to make with some shock cord. There are instructions on this forum somewhere. I have comfortably used pluq's for about 2 years now and have survived comfortably around freezing. Good luck and welcome.

[Shug]

Would a wool blanket work as well as a CCF pad ? I think it would cause me to sweat much less as I have read that the pads are bad for that.

Might be a bit hard to keep it smooth and in place but some on here have tried it. Maybe you will here from one of them. Do try it before you hit the trail.

[Perkolady]

I agree with Shug. If at all possible, try some things out before you hit the trail. Hammocks are curvy and slippery and things tend to not want to stay put!

It's kinda fun though, playing with different solutions to see what works for you

Welcome to hammocking, where the fun AND the gear never ends

[saharrison67]

Hey all,

Well I received my Hennessy and I've had some time to play. The first thing I noticed is that the material really seems to be bunched up at the center. Is this a symptom of the Asym design ? I assume it is because it seems like you MUST lay on a diagonal to be most comfortable. I have an ENO Doublenest and it's not designed that way whatsoever. You can lay dead centre or diagonal in equal levels of comfort which I now know I like better. I'm not knocking the Hennessy yet but I need to sleep in it a few times first and compare to the ENO. Having the built-in noseeum is a definate bonus though.

Cheers