Don't really have a purpose for this thread other than to ramble on a bit about some observations I had over the weekend.
I took my new NX-250 on a short overnighter. I intended to try 3 different methods of insulation: pockets only, 1/8" Lawson foam pad in hammock, torso length Ridgerest in hammock.
When I went to bed, the temperature was bouncing around 50-51 degrees. Using a JRB Hudson River as a topquilt and a Gossamer Gear sitlight pad (from my pack), I was able to lightly snooze just with the pocket insulation (there were a few items thrown in there, but nothing that would provide much insulation). A couple of hours later, I realized that my back was cold, and I checked the temp. 50 degrees still. I think my body had cooled off.
I then put the Lawson pad in, and while it was noticeably warmer, it was so thin and finicky that it bunched up in places and was a literal pain the butt.
I then switched to the Ridgerest. It had sufficient structure to stay under me without much bunching and of course was warm. The only problem with it was the width - at only 20 inches, my shoulders and elbows were chilly on the sides of the hammock. It was also a pain to switch from back to side sleeping because I had to hold the pad in place and rotate.
Overall, I was happy with the sleep that I got, and the weathershield was awesome at keeping out the cool breezes coming off the lake. The hammock was most comfortable without a pad inside. So, I would like to figure out some insulation options.
I think that I will make some insulating panels similar to the z-liner out of 2.5 oz climashield from thru-hiker. I was worried about the fact that, at first glance, the panels wouldn't be continuous under my body (allowing for cold spots), and could possibly fall away from the body near the middle of the hammock. Because there are two openings connecting each horizontal set of pockets, I should be able to devise a way to connect 2 panels, which would keep them snugged up to the body. Items inside the pockets will also raise the panels to keep close to the body. Also, something I hadn't learned from reading prior posts, is that the pockets are not sewn-through from the hammock body to the outside of the pocket - there is a 1.5" or 2" baffle between the hammock body and the outside of the pocket. This, I think, will help mitigate cold spots if I can get the insulating panels close enough together.
I am wary of using a traditional underquilt because I like having access to the pockets - it seems storing items in the pockets would create gaps in an underquilt.
The hammock is bulky! The XL tarp was bigger than I thought it would be, and seems to be a quality piece. Now the question is - should I seal the seams?
Just some ramblings! Any comments or ideas are welcome.
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