Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24
  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    texas
    Posts
    16

    New to the cold, please help

    Hi fellas I am faily new to hammocks but love my "mosquito hammock" jungle hammock. I have used it in warm weather but never in cold weather. I am gona use it this cold season and am unsure of how to keep warm while packing minimally. This site has so much info everywhere you turn that it is hard to sift through it all so I was hoping yall would help me with my certain situation. I have a cheap mat for the bottom insulation right now. Do you think I need a better one if I use a good sleeping bag? Would a good sleeping bag be just fine with no other upgrades? If so what would be a good sleeping bag? I really hate sleeping cold. Thanx for any and all input fellas

  2. #2
    Senior Member dejoha's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    So. Utah
    Hammock
    Most
    Tarp
    Sea to Summit
    Insulation
    Down
    Suspension
    Becket Hitch
    Posts
    2,184
    Images
    207
    A good closed-cell foam pad (blue pad from WalMart or similar) works fine to keep your back warm. You can invest in a few layers when it's below freezing (32°F/0°C). I like to cut a large pad in half and use one half turned 90 degrees to cover my shoulders and the other pad for under my lower torso.

    I've used pads in some pretty cold weather. It's a good, inexpensive solution.

    Under quilts that you can pull up under your hammock is the most common way to stay warm in a hammock. Even sleeping bags pulled around your entire hammock work, but with hammocks with built-in bug netting make pull-over or PeaPod-style bags difficult or impossible.

    You can use the sleeping bag you already own inside the hammock.

  3. #3
    gunner76's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Murphy NC
    Hammock
    Blackbird 1.7 double
    Tarp
    HG Cuben
    Insulation
    UGQs ZEPPELIN
    Suspension
    Dutch Clips
    Posts
    10,860
    Images
    39
    Be sure to test your setup under controled conditions so you know if it works as planned. Nothing worse than being out in the woods and finding out your gear does not work as expected.

    I have used a wallyworld blue foam pad many a nights with great results in my double layer hammock. Only issue is that in a single layer hammock, the pad will tend to slip and slide
    I am still 18 but with 52 years of experience !

  4. #4
    Senior Member Raul Perez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Hammock
    1.1 Blackbird or Traveler SL
    Tarp
    OES Deluxe Cuben
    Insulation
    Yeti - all seasons
    Suspension
    Dynaglide Whoopies
    Posts
    2,277
    Images
    49
    "If you give a monkey a gun and he shoots someone, you dont blame the monkey"

    The end of the world is not coming in December, it is happening now in my living room. - TFC Rick

    http://watermonkey.net/

    Youtube Channel:

    http://www.youtube.com/user/RaulPerez1?feature=mhee

  5. #5
    Senior Member HappyHiker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Lakewood,CO
    Hammock
    DIY DL/HH Hyperlite/WBBB 1.1 DL
    Tarp
    WL Old Man Winter
    Insulation
    HHSS/DIY Down UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies/Webbing
    Posts
    281
    Images
    22
    Pads are more than adequate, but not as comfortable as an UQ. Still better than sleeping on the ground

    The cost of the mat isn't really relevant - the thickness and material are. CCF ( Closed Cell Foam ) is what you want, and for cold weather (32 F and below) at least 1/2" thick. As mentioned above, adding a second pad in a "t" configuration will give your shoulders/arms insulation and add more insulation beneath your chest where it is most needed. Most pads are relatively inexpensive.

    The sleeping bag is a highly subjective thing. Does your current bag keep you warm on the ground at low temps? If so, it's probably good to go. If not then you may want to start looking at your options.


    Quote Originally Posted by dejoha View Post
    Under quilts that you can pull up under your hammock is the most common way to stay warm in a hammock.
    Personally I don't agree with this statement. If I had to put money on it, I'd bet far fewer hammockers own UQ's than don't due to the expense and complexity. JMO.
    Experience is the worst teacher - it presents the exam first and the lesson later. - Unknown

  6. #6
    Senior Member Raul Perez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Hammock
    1.1 Blackbird or Traveler SL
    Tarp
    OES Deluxe Cuben
    Insulation
    Yeti - all seasons
    Suspension
    Dynaglide Whoopies
    Posts
    2,277
    Images
    49
    Quote Originally Posted by HappyHiker View Post
    Personally I don't agree with this statement. If I had to put money on it, I'd bet far fewer hammockers own UQ's than don't due to the expense and complexity. JMO.
    Cost I'll give you. But complexity is not one of them.
    "If you give a monkey a gun and he shoots someone, you dont blame the monkey"

    The end of the world is not coming in December, it is happening now in my living room. - TFC Rick

    http://watermonkey.net/

    Youtube Channel:

    http://www.youtube.com/user/RaulPerez1?feature=mhee

  7. #7
    New Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    texas
    Posts
    16
    Thanx guys thats exactly what I was wandering. Now to get a good bag

  8. #8
    New Member pullarius's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Hammock
    DIY gathered end
    Tarp
    WB Mamajamba
    Insulation
    20* Phoenix
    Suspension
    diy whoopie slings
    Posts
    47
    Thanks for those links. I'd seen the first, but the second two were really helpful. I'm going for my first cold (cool?) weather overnight this weekend, with some new gear. Fortunately, Friday night might as well be car camping, and a friend's parents live right next to the parking lot, in case we have to bug out.

  9. #9
    Senior Member dejoha's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    So. Utah
    Hammock
    Most
    Tarp
    Sea to Summit
    Insulation
    Down
    Suspension
    Becket Hitch
    Posts
    2,184
    Images
    207
    Quote Originally Posted by HappyHiker View Post
    Personally I don't agree with this statement. If I had to put money on it, I'd bet far fewer hammockers own UQ's than don't due to the expense and complexity. JMO.
    The research I did for my book from polls on the forums and elsewhere is where I get that metric. Under quilts were by far the most common compared to pads, pull-up bags, and pods.

    Under quilts do not have to be expensive. My designs for the poncho liner under quilt (PLUQ) is very inexpensive (there's even a no-sew version!). There are other ways to get an under quilt that are inexpensive; I've created two for my family out of inexpensive children's sleeping bags from Walmart.

    It might be sixes on complexity, comparing an under quilt with pads. I find that pads are more cumbersome as they slide and move around _inside_ a hammock. Getting into a hammock with pads inside is challenging and I'd say more complex than an underquilt. Now, pads in a double-sided hammock is much easier.

  10. #10
    Senior Member HappyHiker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Lakewood,CO
    Hammock
    DIY DL/HH Hyperlite/WBBB 1.1 DL
    Tarp
    WL Old Man Winter
    Insulation
    HHSS/DIY Down UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies/Webbing
    Posts
    281
    Images
    22
    Quote Originally Posted by Raul Perez View Post
    Cost I'll give you. But complexity is not one of them.
    Really? Look at the number of threads on properly hanging an UQ. Seem to be quite a few to me.

    There are a good number of ways to hang an UQ using different types of suspensions, and the "best" way to hang one can vary with the type of hammock as well. Once dialed in and any particular idosyncrasies are dealt with, fairly easy to attach - I'll give you that. But getting to that point is not simple. It's not just buy (or make) an UQ, hook it to your hammock and you're done.

    Maybe it's just me, but being new to UQ's has introduced another set of variables to work with in the pursuit of hammock happiness. I'm having fun and enjoying the process - but it is a process and far from simple for anyone who is new to the concepts and usage.
    Experience is the worst teacher - it presents the exam first and the lesson later. - Unknown

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. JRB UQ for cold (and I do mean COLD) conditions?
      By RADIOHEAD in forum Jacks-R-Better
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 11-02-2014, 05:52
    2. Cold Cold World Chaos Pack and Kelty Super Cirque Pack
      By mrsmileyns in forum [SOLD/WITHDRAWN] Items no longer available
      Replies: 11
      Last Post: 09-15-2014, 15:25
    3. how cold does it need to be?
      By Shorty9 in forum Bottom Insulation
      Replies: 16
      Last Post: 06-18-2012, 14:48
    4. hh in the cold
      By fred1diver in forum Hennessy Hammocks
      Replies: 45
      Last Post: 10-22-2008, 15:23
    5. Cold hammock and 'lil cold, wet me
      By aceatc in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 10
      Last Post: 09-30-2007, 19:11

    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
    •