Will I need an UQ at 55 deg.

**Backtrack** · 08-30-2010, 07:13

Hey! I'm very new to the hammock camping. I want to take it on a trip this weekend but it may be chilly. It will get down to 55 at night and all I have right now is a prolite 4 Thermarest and sleeping bag. I'm a medium temp sleeper, will this work or will I need to borrow a UQ? Thanks for your help!

**NCPatrick** · 08-30-2010, 07:16

Howdy Backtrack!

If I were in your shoes, I would need an UQ at 55F. I think most folks feel a bit cool on the backside starting around 70F, give or take 5 degrees or so... I'm a cold sleeper, so it starts feeling cool earlier for me.

just my .02

**Just Jeff** · 08-30-2010, 07:18

You need something under you at 55F. The ThermaRest will work, though you'll be right on the line of cold shoulders. Still worth testing out, IMO - enjoy your trip!

**Backtrack** · 08-30-2010, 08:11

Ok, Thanks for the help!

**eflat7** · 08-30-2010, 09:03

I wouldn't go under 60 without an UQ either. Just my .02 cents. Even with a pad, you will probably get cold with that thing slipping and sliding. I sleep cold, and anything under 55 I will also take a hammock sock.

I'm going out this weekend and can't wait for the cooler weather!

**Backtrack** · 08-30-2010, 11:14

Yep. I heard that the pad likes to move alot and I think that would get on my nerves all night. We are going to do the Roan Mt. section of the AT so the weather might get colder at higher elevations. I hate to say it but I might have to take the tent until I get my hands on a UQ. I would love to make one, but it wont happen this week.

Hope you have a great trip. We are keeping an eye on Hurricane Earl!

**BillyBob58** · 08-30-2010, 11:20

Originally Posted by Backtrack

Yep. I heard that the pad likes to move alot and I think that would get on my nerves all night. We are going to do the Roan Mt. section of the AT so the weather might get colder at higher elevations. I hate to say it but I might have to take the tent until I get my hands on a UQ. I would love to make one, but it wont happen this week.

Hope you have a great trip. We are keeping an eye on Hurricane Earl!

No need to use the tent and go to ground!

Don't you have the double layer BB? The pad should stay where you put it. You might have to experiment a bit with how you place it in the hammock, but then it should stay put once you lay on it. If it is a 20" wide model, you might want to take a strip or 2 of CCF, like cut off of a WM blue pad, to place in spots that are off of the pad, like maybe a shoulder. Or you can slip a fleece jacket into trouble spots. But at those temps, I doubt that will be much of a problem.

Using a Speer SPE, with WM blue pad strips in the wings and a Thermarest full length Ridgerest with a TR Ultralight short inflatable ( 1" thick?) stacked, I slept toasty warm a bit below 20 once. And there was no trouble staying on the pads, and no condensation. An UQ has it's advantages and I will usualy go that route. But that SPE and pad set up serves dual purpose ( all set for ground sleeping or sit pad) and bombproof insulation in the hammock. And of course, cheap plus most folks already have it.

But a pad in a single layer hammock and without an SPE can be a whole different ball game, and no fun for most folks.

**NCPatrick** · 08-30-2010, 11:20

I have a synthetic (Climashield) UQ you could borrow. It's good down to around 40F, ymmv.

**Backtrack** · 08-30-2010, 20:11

Originally Posted by NCPatrick

I have a synthetic (Climashield) UQ you could borrow. It's good down to around 40F, ymmv.

Thanks for the offer! If all else fails I will send you a message! My aunt has some 1.1 ripstop and 800 down at her quilt shop. I might snag that and rig me up somthing quick. Just trying to figure out the baffle thing. Thanks again!