Canvas Sock

**edcpreps** · 12-02-2013, 22:30

Just ordered a MollyMac Canvas Sock.

The wife hates cold camping, and always says she's cold in the morning in her hammock. So, this is my attempt to solve that problem. I went to a full length HG UQ, and I plan on purchasing another for her. I have been eyeing the Canvas Sock for a while now. Does anyone own one, what's your impressions of it. I'm not overly concerned w/ weight. Just warmth. Any advice you guys have would be great.

Thanks

-Bill

WV · 12-03-2013, 09:12

Canvas is best for sub-zero temps, but should be good for warmer wether, too, if you keep it dry.

**OutandBack** · 12-03-2013, 09:42

Originally Posted by edcpreps

Just ordered a MollyMac Canvas Sock.

The wife hates cold camping, and always says she's cold in the morning in her hammock. So, this is my attempt to solve that problem. I went to a full length HG UQ, and I plan on purchasing another for her. I have been eyeing the Canvas Sock for a while now. Does anyone own one, what's your impressions of it. I'm not overly concerned w/ weight. Just warmth. Any advice you guys have would be great.

Thanks

-Bill

They were all the rage two years ago in MN.
I don't really see them used in most winter TR these days.
For me more down in your full length quilts and a breathable 2QZQ UQP would keep you warmer.

**edcpreps** · 12-03-2013, 09:54

Yeah, I've tried the down thing w/ her, she had a 0* TQ on and two 20* UQ on her hammock to give her full coverage and she was cold w/ plenty of layers. I purchased her a 0* incubator w/ 4oz of overstuff just last night, so that paired with this sock should take care of the problem.

**TZBrown** · 12-03-2013, 10:16

A good canvas sock is a great tool in the box for real cold weather camping.
But not the solve all
It does not work well in above freezing temps unless the wind is heavy.

Practice and learning to use what you have is the key

I would recommend staying below 20f, and near zero or below is even better.

As with any winter camping, no net hammock, a frost bib, Windshield screen insulator under you, consider VB in extreme cold, and insulation or down layers that you can adjust to the "temp of the night" instead of a huge pile that will overheat and trap moisture and frost inside.

I use mine every winter, as long as a PULK is involved, and have made quite a few different ones getting what I really wanted combined into the last one.

**mbiraman** · 12-03-2013, 10:39

Maybe your wife needs a hot water bottle,,,,or two .

**Klaussinator** · 12-03-2013, 10:56

Originally Posted by mbiraman

Maybe your wife needs a hot water bottle,,,,or two .

Hey, all the insulation you can add will only hold the heat that she makes! Might wanna look at ways to raise her core temp. Maybe some cheese as a bedtime snack...

-Klauss

**edcpreps** · 12-03-2013, 11:08

All great ideas, thanks fellas. It's easier to get out w/ the family, than it is without. So keeping her warm will get me out more, which is the goal lol

**BrianWillan** · 12-03-2013, 11:21

Originally Posted by edcpreps

Yeah, I've tried the down thing w/ her, she had a 0* TQ on and two 20* UQ on her hammock to give her full coverage and she was cold w/ plenty of layers.

Wearing too many layers to sleep in is often a cause for being cold for many people while sleeping. In order for insulation to create the dead air space that ultimately keeps you warm, you need to have your body heat escape to warm up that dead air space. So it is best to wear as little as possible to sleep in to at least start off with. Then add layers as necessary.

Other items that help is to pre-warm your insulation using the hot water bottle trick (ie 15 minutes before going to bed place the hot water bottle inside your top quilt) and using the other suggestions of eating something hot before going to bed. This gets the digestion going and generates body heat.

Cheers

Brian

**fishbait** · 12-03-2013, 12:55

Last year I took my set up down to 8 degrees. I used a Dream Hammock Winter Sock under my Warbonnet Tarp. I had a 30 degree Under Quilt and in my hammock I laid a reflectix sleeping pad that I removed during the night. I had a 40 degree sleeping bag and my 30 degree top quilt to cover me. The sleeping bag wound up with the sleeping pad on the ground. I slept in long underwear, with wool socks, a knit cap and fleece gloves. The temperature inside the sock remained a constant 28 degrees. I generated so much heat and moisture during the night that the inside of the sock looked like a frost cave. Still I was toasty warm. I won't be using the sock for the Winter NEHHA, I instead opted for an Underquilt Protector from 2QZQ. The canvas sock just might be to much.