View Full Version : Winter hammock options
I am thinking about a hammock for winter use or the bug free season. Is it worth spending the money on a zip closed top? My main concern is to keep the top quilt contained. Would the knotty mods help with this? I already have a SLD Winter Haven tarp. I'm trying to decide between a SLD Tree Runner and Trail Lair.
Some like a top cover, others don't! If you went for a Chameleon from Dutch, you could start with a basic hammock and add a cover later if you found the need/desire. The Eldorado from WB takes a winter top and you can even get a bottom to zip to it. It comes standard with a bug net. Don't know if you could get it without.
Either system provides a lot of versatility and wouldn't have to be a "winter only" hammock. Bug nets are optional/removable.
soul embrace
09-02-2018, 16:15
Some like a top cover, others don't! If you went for a Chameleon from Dutch, you could start with a basic hammock and add a cover later if you found the need/desire.
you can do that with the top cover also with the trail layer. I like the cover on my DH dangerbird
SilvrSurfr
09-02-2018, 16:56
Covers cause condensation for me. My Chameleon top cover has a bug mesh vent, but it doesn't vent. I generally won't consider a top cover until it gets around 10 to 15* F.
IRONFISH45
09-02-2018, 17:56
Really a matter of personal choice. I had a Thunderbird with a topcover (with mesh vents) and net. Top cover was okay.
I have a netless RidgeRunner that I use when there is room. I put a mitten hook on the bottom of my TQ and I hook it to the foot of my RR. I put pack hooks like my Dream Hammock has on the right side ( I am a left lay person) of my RR TO KEEP THE TQ in place. That way my TQ stays in place no matter what I do.
I have both a Trail Runner I really like because it is easy for me to exit and I do not like to be enclosed by a net. I put a mitten hook with a short length of elastic to tether my TQ at the foot. I put pack hooks on both sides of my Tree Runner because I want to use them for some other use. I have the SLD Trail Lair that I have not used, but I added hooks to specifically keep my TQ in place.
I tried a lot of gear before I found what works for my needs. Most of us tried many configurations before we found a few we really like. I have a problem with being enclosed. I now use a two door sock (Spindrift) on my RR, one door was too claustrophobic and not enough air circulation.
To each his own.
michigandave
09-02-2018, 19:09
Since you're already comfortable with the lay of the Trail Lair, I worked with Jared last fall on the development of the Voyageur. Here's the link to my review: https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php/143599-Simply-Light-Designs-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9CVoyageur%E2%80%9D-Hammock-with-Beak-Storage-review
Unfortunately, it's not being offered right now, but you can always get in contact with him to see if he'd be game for making you one. For me, it's the ultimate winter hammock!
Knotty mods are excellent for keeping the topquilt in the hammock. I use a Wilderness Logics Snipe for my netless hammock in the colder months, and it works great. I did add a structural ridge line to my snipe hammock. I've camped in the mid 20s with my setup.
W8lkinUSA
09-02-2018, 21:22
I'm enjoying the flexibility of my Blackbird XLC's removable bugnet. Mosquitos seem to disappear in the middle of the night, so hanging the bugnet on the SRL for added airflow has been a blessing.
The topquilt is also hung on the SRL during my midnight strolls.
cmoulder
09-03-2018, 05:02
Chameleon with top cover works for me.
But, as previously noted by others, it depends. Some people get a ton of frost but I get little and sometimes none depending upon relative humidity.
Since you're already comfortable with the lay of the Trail Lair, I worked with Jared last fall on the development of the Voyageur. Here's the link to my review: https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php/143599-Simply-Light-Designs-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9CVoyageur%E2%80%9D-Hammock-with-Beak-Storage-review
Unfortunately, it's not being offered right now, but you can always get in contact with him to see if he'd be game for making you one. For me, it's the ultimate winter hammock!
I do not have a Trail Lair. I'm leaning towards a SLD Tree Runner with the knotty mods right now.
ouroboros
09-12-2018, 20:25
I use a zip cover in winter (been using my Little Shop of Hammocks Warrior in all 4 seasons now.)
I keep the part zipped near my feet so my top quilt stays in place and open up near my head to help venting and avoid condensation.
EDIT: Just to clarify, the "zip cover" on my hammock is a mesh bug net, not a solid top cover. Temperatures here in the winter can flirt with 0 degrees Fahrenheit but are generally in the teens to 30's in the winter on average I'd say. I don't feel the need for a solid top cover, but, then again, I do have a Hammock Gear full length underquilt rated to -10 degrees...
GilligansWorld
09-12-2018, 21:05
Take this with a grain of salt as I have only been winter camping 3 times now but a top cover as mentioned here was just a condensation trap for me. I felt my tarp was enough and even that was starting to build up a bit of condesation during the night - I ended up opening up one of the doors just to vent everything out - but on the other 2 occasions I was fine without it - When I went without a tarp on the one occasion I had a bunch of frost on my sleeping bag in the night from my breath. HYOH, experiment, take advice, basically keep an open mind and "your system" will come to you. Have fun, enjoy the journey.