As I've only just made my first hammock I knew that a pad would be my insulation of choice by default. I made a double layer gathered end out of 1.1 ripstop. I had originally whipped the ends but took them out and put my DIY whoopies right into the channel with a larks head. I left openings on either side of the hammock to insert a pad and hold it in place as per the instruction on diygearsupply.
I use a ridgereest solite ccf pad. Used it for awhile on the ground and it is fantastic. It is approximately 20in wide or slightly less.
I discovered quickly that this wouldn't do. I'm not a huge guy but at 6'2 and 205lbs I'm not exactly small or narrow. I realized too much of my body would at some point be off of the hammock.
Thankfully hammockforums exists and I began researching SPE's. What I've come up with is an incredibly warm and comfortable set up. The main body for the ridgerest pad is micro fleece while the wings are made from dry fit t-shirt material. The wings themselves are ccf and are 5 inches wide. It is not lightweight at just under 2lbs. Combined with my ridgerest my bottom insulation weighs 3lbs. But it is incredibly comfortable and should be quite warm.
I will post my results after my trip in may to Algonquin park. The night temps are expected to be 30F..
I will upload pics the second I figure out how to!!
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