Poncho Liner UQ Didn't Work Well!

**featheredprop** · 05-29-2014, 05:14

I bought a poncho liner and sewed in 1 square yard of Climashield insulation. My wife stitched the whole thing up for me, and did an amazing job. It hangs very well on my WBBB.

Last weekend I gave it a try. The temperature dropped down to around 48 degrees. My back got very cold. Fortunately, I had brought a windshield reflector with me. I got up and inserted it under me. That seemed to do the trick. However, I was very disappointed. I thought the poncho liner would work by itself! Is there any advice anyone can give me?

I've posted a picture of the liner attached to my hammock (I have it hanging in my home office).

Thanks!!!

dane

**lanejustin** · 05-29-2014, 07:09

Looks like you may have ends cinched up TOO tight

**featheredprop** · 05-29-2014, 07:14

Originally Posted by lanejustin

Looks like you may have ends cinched up TOO tight

Really? Too tight? I thought keeping the ends tight helped keep the heat in. Tell me more, please!

**Passinthru** · 05-29-2014, 07:26

Actually, it looks like a very good fit to me (and a nice job on the construction). I always try to close up the end like that as well. It seems that the PLUQ should have kept you warm at that temp. Could the UQ have shifted position during the night? Or perhaps somehow opened up to create a large air gap along the side?

**lanejustin** · 05-29-2014, 07:28

I saw somewhere if you have it cinched up too tight it creates air channels that let the cold air on and warm air out.

**AaronMB** · 05-29-2014, 07:41

If I cinch the ends down too tight, it seems like it can make a small gap around one of the small ridges that form near the end of the hammock. I can feel it, especially if I move around a little and create a pumping action.
Have you tried getting into your sweet spot and have your wife go around and play with the tension (or vice versa)? UQs can be a little tricky to dial in and two people can make it easier, as one person lays in the hammock.

**Redoleary** · 05-29-2014, 08:10

You could try making some draft collars and see if that helps.

**gnarus8429** · 05-29-2014, 08:12

I have had the same problem in the past PLUQs. I don't use mine below 50 F. I'm a cold sleeper though. I carry a large sit pad that I have to address those cold spots. I like the CCF therma-rest that is wavy to reduce condensation issues. I use mine mostly in the summer and have sewn it into more of a light weight pea pod type thingy which totally eliminates drafts (for me at least). I carry a second un-modified poncho liner (for inside the pod on top of me) and that rounds out my 50 and up insulation. PLUQs are great but, they lack the loft to go too low with out augmenting them with some type of additional insulation. I really want to try a hammock sock on the outside to block heat loss though convection to see how low I can get. They are still my most used bit of insulation, despite having a nice Jarbidge UQ, as I rarely camp in cold weather.

**Steelwolf** · 05-29-2014, 08:27

My pluq keeps me warm mid to low 40's. I do have to make sure it is up tight against my wbbb or it gets cool. I just grab each side and pull at the same time.

**dammfast** · 05-29-2014, 08:44

I am good down to mid 50's with mine. I can tell you from experience that the pluq is more difficult to get adjusted than a commercially available quilt. I have found that it needs to be pretty tight end to end, the long way, but a lot looser than you might guess side to side. The first time I used mine I was cold sleeping in my basement at probably 60 degrees. Now it is setup properly and makes a good summer quilt.