Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16
  1. #1
    New Member almost_bohemian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Hartwell, GA
    Hammock
    ENO doublenest
    Tarp
    mamba jamba
    Insulation
    underquilt
    Suspension
    marlin spike hitch
    Posts
    4

    Sleeping positions -- discomfort vs warmth

    Hey everyone, first let me say thanks for all the great posts. I've been a member since '12 and have gained a lot of valuable knowledge from you all--so thanks. And now on to my first post....


    With all the tweaking and tinkering that comes along with hammock camping, i've pretty much tinkered and tweaked my system down to just one lingering issue: I hate to lay with my legs perfectly straight in my hammock, I guess because I'm a side sleeper at home. But whenever I get comfortable with bent legs,etc., I seem to be exposing myself to be a little colder --probably due to the separation from my underquilt maybe? If anyone has any suggestions or tips I'm all ears! Thanks again!
    "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished"
    -Lao Tzu

  2. #2
    Senior Member 2ply's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Soco Gap, NC
    Hammock
    Clark DLX, ENO SN, BIAS WWM
    Tarp
    OxPalace,Big Squid
    Insulation
    Oxgear, KAQ, WL
    Suspension
    Whoopies/Dutchware
    Posts
    1,798
    Images
    3
    Can you not sleep on your side in the hammock? Bring yourself and the hammock to the Burrell's Ford campout this weekend and you'll get more info than you know what to do with.
    Everyone ought to believe in something....I believe I'll go set up the hammock!

  3. #3
    dakotaross's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Chamblee, GA
    Hammock
    SuperiorGear or Dutch netless
    Tarp
    custom pentagon
    Insulation
    down hammock or UQ
    Suspension
    Dutch Mantis
    Posts
    3,081
    Images
    19
    Please explain further, are you on your side so that this separation from the UQ is up the sides of the hammock, or are you flat on your back with knees in the air?

    If you don't like lying legs straight, have you tried the figure-4 position? (one leg straight and one leg bent with foot towards opposite knee) Switch as needed.
    "I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
    - Kate Chopin

  4. #4
    New Member almost_bohemian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Hartwell, GA
    Hammock
    ENO doublenest
    Tarp
    mamba jamba
    Insulation
    underquilt
    Suspension
    marlin spike hitch
    Posts
    4
    Quote Originally Posted by dakotaross View Post
    Please explain further, are you on your side so that this separation from the UQ is up the sides of the hammock, or are you flat on your back with knees in the air?

    If you don't like lying legs straight, have you tried the figure-4 position? (one leg straight and one leg bent with foot towards opposite knee) Switch as needed.
    I seem to stay warmer when I'm on my back and I've done the one knee bent thing and it didn't feel right. I've tried the knees in the air with a flat back as well, but again just feels a little cramped when I'm in my sleeping bag (maybe I should can the bag and go for a roomier top quilt that allows more wiggle room?). Does anyone place anything under their knees just to get them up higher? It always seems to feel like my knees are being forced into a locked position for some reason. As to laying on my side, i've done that but again it just didn't feel right.
    "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished"
    -Lao Tzu

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Big Sur, California
    Hammock
    Gone
    Tarp
    back
    Insulation
    to
    Suspension
    ground
    Posts
    84
    A stuff(ed) sack (or a rolled up jacket, the Sunday newspaper, your dog) under the knees can help to give some bend to them, for sure. Take a few large ziplocks, fill em with air, and put them into a stuff sack. Voila!

  6. #6
    New Member almost_bohemian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Hartwell, GA
    Hammock
    ENO doublenest
    Tarp
    mamba jamba
    Insulation
    underquilt
    Suspension
    marlin spike hitch
    Posts
    4
    That's a good idea! Thanks Poedog.
    "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished"
    -Lao Tzu

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Lynchburg, VA
    Hammock
    DIY 1.1 single-layer
    Tarp
    DIY Silnylon Hex
    Insulation
    DIY UQ & SOL Bivvy
    Suspension
    DIY Whoopie slings
    Posts
    573
    Images
    68
    Perhaps re-evaluate your UQ suspension?
    The meaning of Life is to live it

  8. #8
    Senior Member 2ply's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Soco Gap, NC
    Hammock
    Clark DLX, ENO SN, BIAS WWM
    Tarp
    OxPalace,Big Squid
    Insulation
    Oxgear, KAQ, WL
    Suspension
    Whoopies/Dutchware
    Posts
    1,798
    Images
    3
    Are you zipped up in the bag or do you use it open like a top quilt? Your info shows an underquilt so by unzipping it and using as a TQ you should have plenty of bag to position your legs in different configurations.
    Everyone ought to believe in something....I believe I'll go set up the hammock!

  9. #9
    dakotaross's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Chamblee, GA
    Hammock
    SuperiorGear or Dutch netless
    Tarp
    custom pentagon
    Insulation
    down hammock or UQ
    Suspension
    Dutch Mantis
    Posts
    3,081
    Images
    19
    Yes, when flat on your back you'll have more body surface area in contact with the UQ making it more efficient. Shouldn't be a huge difference, though, and might depend on what sort of TQ you're using.

    And yes, I think most of us use something under our knees. For me, its my down vest or jacket in a Thermarest pillow sack. Also, I've found that resting my feet on a down pillow in the bottom of my TQ helps keep my heels from feeling pressure points on the hammock, and helps keep my feet warm, too.
    "I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
    - Kate Chopin

  10. #10
    Senior Member OneClick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    IN
    Hammock
    DIY 10.5' HyperD 1.6
    Tarp
    Warbonnet, SLD
    Insulation
    Hammock Gear
    Suspension
    WB Straps+Buckles
    Posts
    13,158
    Images
    20
    Half way through the night, I sometimes end up rolled just slightly on my left side, and with my knees slightly bent. While doing this, I'll feel a quick shot of cool air since the UQ moves but it warms right back up.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Adjustable warmth IX underquilt for two-up sleeping.
      By Hanging Around in forum Bottom Insulation
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 07-03-2014, 20:45
    2. Sleeping bag wrap warmth
      By Bushwhacker in forum Under Quilts
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 04-12-2014, 15:25
    3. Use of a sleeping bag liner to add warmth
      By kadja in forum Long distance travel with a hammock
      Replies: 25
      Last Post: 07-01-2013, 09:42
    4. Sleeping Warmth
      By Shepherd in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 10-15-2012, 14:59
    5. 10 degree warmth in sleeping bag cocoon
      By motorapido in forum Bottom Insulation
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 03-28-2011, 13:48

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •