do you always have insulation under the hammock?

[Girotogo]

do you always use a pad or underquilt? if not, at what temperature do you leave the insulation at home.

[cataraftgirl]

I have tried sleeping in my hammock in the 70s a few times without a pad or UQ and always woke up cold. I'm usually a semi-cold sleeper.

[pgibson]

It would greatly depend on where you camping. Many folks feel that at about 70 degrees and higher they do not need under insulation. Here in Idaho in the mountains we can have overnight lows at 60 one night and 20 the next. I never leave home without a quilt that will get me to at least 30. I have had an inch of snow on the ground in august that was melted by 9am with temps climbing into the 80's. Location, location, location.

[kayak karl]

for me anything below 70 i use it, but i always bring it. just the other nite we hit 60 at nite with 90 degree days.

[Brute1100]

Tagged for interest...

[exup]

I chance it often when the forecast says 65+. Even though 65 can be a bit chilling. I'm use to being cold in the hammock.

[dejoha]

Interesting question. A few years ago for my wedding anniversary, I was elated when my wife agreed to a backpacking trip to Kauai on the Kalalau Trail. After years of hammock camping and being an "expert" I only packed a few fleece sleeping bags -- after all, the overnight temps are going to be in the high 60s, low 70s.

It was cold.

Thankfully, the fleece worked fine once we wrapped ourselves.

In another example, in super-heated Phoenix, Arizona, I had another interesting experience. High 100s in the day, 80s°F at night. No need for an under quilt, right?

Wrong.

I think that our (my) body gets acclimatized to the temperatures and changes in temps. The first few hours are sweltering and no amount of insulation is wanted or needed. However, as the temperature hits its lowest point, my body needs something to stay warm enough.

I think having some sort of insulation is important. It may not need to be much (I found a 1-layer IX works great in hot, dry climates), but it's better to have something than nothing.

I should also mention that the hammock itself can have some insulating properties. The thicker cotton and woven hammocks from South America are great and don't need much but a top blanket to stay warm during most of the temperate year. Parachute nylon, polyester, and ripstop nylon don't have much in the way of insulation, so even in hot temps, the convection can pull enough heat away to make me feel cool, even in hot summer nights.

[Buffalo Skipper]

For me, 75º is the magic number. Summer here can regularly be in the upper 70s or low 80s at night. For that, I do not always us a quilt. At 70. I am cold in a hammock with nothing underneath. I have a summer Jarbridge River UQ from Arrowhead Equipment that I love for anything over 45º.

[Acer]

I use a 50 degree Jarbridge by Arrowhead and vent it,,and have it on,,all the time...then switch as I know its getting colder to a full length down 40 degree by UG..and when its colder,,drop down to a 20 full down quilt with 2 extra ozes of down that gets me to about 20..after that,,I don't go any lower as I just don't have time in the winter to hang outside.

[Sidewinder]

The only time I Don't use insulation is when i'm in my backyard otherwise I always bring it.

S