Nest Sag Help?

Hello,

I posted this same question on whiteblaze, but I though it would be good to post it here.I recently bought a Jacks 'R' Better 3 Season set and am having a hard time setting up the nest. When I velcro the nest together I am unable to get rid of the sag below the slit on my HH Explorer Ultralight A-Sym. Has anyone else had this problem? I put my wife in it last night and tried for 45 minutes to get rid of the sag. On the other side I can get it to fit perfectly. The only thing close to a solution that I could find was to velcro the nest to the HH slit. This eliminated most of the sag. I still had to contend with the draft from the now open slit. I have tried every combination possible with no luck. Last night I slept to a record 4:45 before the cold spot woke me up. It was a pretty warm night with the temperature about 50F. Does anyone have any ideas that could help?

Also, If I have to velcro the nest to the HH velcro, is there anyway that I can keep the slit closed? Thanks in advance for any input anyone can give on this.

maybe the suspension cords need to be pulled further up past the hh knot?? I have not experienced this proplem.. I never velcro the nest to the HH slit, so I can't help you there... Good luck

I experience the same problem you do when I don't velcro the Nest to the HH slit. Velcro'ing the Nest to the HH solves most of the problem for me, though - I don't get drafts through the slit like some people.

It must be different body types that lay in the HH differently that causes the underquilt to fit a bit differently for some people.

The only thing I can really think of to keep the slit closed is to hang the foot end a bit higher, so your body slide up towards the head end and puts less force on the opening. Maybe lay a bit less diagonally and see if it stays closed. Then if you can get comfortable that way you'll be good.

Let us know how it works!

On colder nights, I will get a noticable draft when my nest is attached to the slit. I usually put my top cover between my leg and the slit and it's not an issue. I tend to sleep on as much of a diagonal as possible, so the slit is more to the side.

Just a point of clarification. Here's a good picture showing how to attach the suspension system.

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_fi...chment%202.JPG

I always attach the quilt to the Hennessy slit. That shouldn't prevent the slit from closing as long as the quilt isn't billowing up into the slit. The weight of your body in the hammock should close the slit. If the quilt is preventing the slit from closing, push it back out of the hole.

One thing you might want to check is centering of the quilt on the hammock. Try sliding the quilt more to the head end by tightening the suspension system at the head end.

Another alternative is to close the quilt on itself for 12 inches or so at the crotch of the slit. That will block the opening after you're in but still allow you to enter through the slit.

Above all, keep trying. There are a variety of adjustments available on the Nest (side tabs, end cords, suspension system, omni-tape, etc.). Eventually you will find the configuration that will work for you. When it's right it's too sweet to miss out.

Thank for the picture Smee. I have been setting my wrong since I got it and never could figure out why it was loose.

Thanks for the pic Smee. Just confimed that I was attaching mine right. Great product by the way. Will soon be ordering my No Sniveller.

Hey all,

Thanks for the ideas. I have tried all of them, but moving the nest closer to the head end. I will give that a try tonight. Thanks smee for the picture. The first night I tried the nest I did not use that configuration, but the last two nights I have. It was a lot better with the slit closed, but completely slack with the nest closed on itself. I think I am having problems because my hammock is a long one. The best luck I have had is moving the hitches well before the knot (hommock end). I can't bring it any closer, because the hammock gets thick. As I am trying this out at about 50F I want to stay warm at that termerature first. I am heading down to the gathering this weekend, and it is supposed to be a low of 32F. I would really like to get this right before then.... Anyone going to be there? Thanks again. I'll keep trying.

I'd definitely bring along some backup insulation to add for those temps until you get your setup dialed in. Just a pad should get you through. Low 30s is about my limit with the JRB set even with it set up properly.

Or if you have another top bag for those temps, doubling up the JRBs would be more comfortable and should easily keep you toasty at 32 F, even allowing some fudge factor for the air gaps.

Smee, was that a half hitch right at the end of the sptra cord and the another down on the hh itself?

Hangman - check this page: http://www.tothewoods.net/JRB.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hangman

Smee, was that a half hitch right at the end of the sptra cord and the another down on the hh itself?

---

You got it. Actually the second is on the sleeve covering the knot attaching the spectra cord to the hammock end.

Jeff, saw your suggestion about using your rain jacket over your No Sniveller to protect it around camp. Very useful info. It fits perfectly around mine. I look like a beached whale who found his way into the woods.....

Yep - it's not big on fashion but it works.

Hey all,

I slept out at the gathering in my hammock this weekend. I froze on Friday night, and went all out on Sat pretty unsuccessfully. But, I did not die of hypothermia well into the 20s! But, I was really cold and did not sleep well. Get this, I used the nest underneath, the No sniveller, the Weather shield top and bottom 3 shirts, a fleece, the jacks hood on, the sleeves over my feet, three pairs of socks, a thermolite liner, a torso length pad, a blue CCF pad, and a bottle of boiled water in my armpit. I finally got warm in the hammock, but I think I crossed the line. I woke up at 5 in the morning again in a pool of sweat freezing. The biggest lesson I learned this weekend was that using a pee bottle would be a great idea. Once you get warm, you are not going to get out of the hammock for anything.

I met medicineman and Roni who were hanging up at the gazebo. Medicine man gave me the advice of having someone else help you to set up the nest. I tried it twice already with no luck, but I was putting my wife in the hammock and fitting it to her. I will give it a try having my wife check me for cold spots. In trying to get the sag out of the foot end I had no luck with my wife. I think that my hennessy may not be the best hammock. I tried Ed Speers hammock for a couple of minutes and it seemed much more comfortable. I just ordered one of his kits and am going to try to build one.

Even though I am a little bit disapointed and I got a cold from freezing all weekend, my back feels great and I am steadfast in my plan to stay warm in a hammock. I will keep trying it out until I can get it right for 3 season use.

Yep - keep with it. You'll get it figured out - that's plenty of insulation to stay warm at 20F, you just need to keep experimenting until you find out what works for you.

I think Speer-types are more comfortable than my HH BULA, too. I don't have a "real" Speer, though...just my homemade ones. I just think they lay better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dreamer

The biggest lesson I learned this weekend was that using a pee bottle would be a great idea. Once you get warm, you are not going to get out of the hammock for anything.

---

When you figure out how to use a pee bottle in a hammock would you or anyone please let me know. I have tried it with now success. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by attroll

When you figure out how to use a pee bottle in a hammock would you or anyone please let me know. I have tried it with now success. :)

---

that's the wonder of the HH slit... gives you a place to put your legs!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Seeker

that's the wonder of the HH slit... gives you a place to put your legs!

---

I'll have to try that next time out.

I think I have figured out how to use the nest in my hammock... It is to use a pad as well. I have long legs that create two pressure points in the hammock; one at the butt, and one at the feet. This creates a large space in between the hammock and the nest under my butt to my feet. I have tried everything and can't get rid of this sag. So, my solution is to sue the blue pad I have and the nest. This has been working wonderfully into the 20s. My only problem is that the no sniveller is so warm that I start to sweat where I am touching the pad. This eventually makes me cold. I think I am am getting close to finding a nice balance. I am going to try to make a speer hammock and see if it helps with this issue. Anyway, thank you all for your help.

Right on Dreamer! The Nest and CCF pad inside is exactly what I used to stay warm too! I don't have a No Sniveller though, I use my WM 20 degree bag either unzipped like a quilt or on really cold nights, I zip up in it, and I also woke up sweating. Nice problem to have though, in temps like that. Nothing worse than having every piece of gear trying to keep you warm and still being cold. I am not tall, but what you're describing is basically your lower body, is where I found I was cold too, until adding my ccf pad. Hmmm..that's 2 of us now that have found this to work. Thanks for updating on your progress. Helps out the rest of us newbies.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dreamer

I think I have figured out how to use the nest in my hammock... It is to use a pad as well. I have long legs that create two pressure points in the hammock; one at the butt, and one at the feet. This creates a large space in between the hammock and the nest under my butt to my feet. I have tried everything and can't get rid of this sag. So, my solution is to sue the blue pad I have and the nest. This has been working wonderfully into the 20s. My only problem is that the no sniveller is so warm that I start to sweat where I am touching the pad. This eventually makes me cold. I think I am am getting close to finding a nice balance. I am going to try to make a speer hammock and see if it helps with this issue. Anyway, thank you all for your help.

---

Some folk put a clothes bag under the knees to alliviate leg lock....seems that it would also help by putting a hammock tension point mid way between the hips and heels... less sweat issues than a pad also...

Also if you attach the Nest slit to the HH slit make it the last step...note that often there is 2-3 inches of Nest slit past the HH slit....just close it on itself for these 2-3 inches...don't try to make it even cause that may cause an air pocket.... Hope these ideas/comments help.... call if this issue persists.

Pan

Pan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Smee

Just a point of clarification. Here's a good picture showing how to attach the suspension system.

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_fi...chment%202.JPG

I always attach the quilt to the Hennessy slit. That shouldn't prevent the slit from closing as long as the quilt isn't billowing up into the slit. The weight of your body in the hammock should close the slit. If the quilt is preventing the slit from closing, push it back out of the hole.

One thing you might want to check is centering of the quilt on the hammock. Try sliding the quilt more to the head end by tightening the suspension system at the head end.

Another alternative is to close the quilt on itself for 12 inches or so at the crotch of the slit. That will block the opening after you're in but still allow you to enter through the slit.

Above all, keep trying. There are a variety of adjustments available on the Nest (side tabs, end cords, suspension system, omni-tape, etc.). Eventually you will find the configuration that will work for you. When it's right it's too sweet to miss out.

---

Does a Prusik knot hold the suspenion lines better?

Ive never tried a prussik, but the way its tied above allows for multiple adjustments. The suspension slides easily back and forth but still holds the quilt securely. BD

I doubt a prussik would be better than a simple larkshead with the shockcord. When you cinch down the shockcord on a larkshead, it's still adjustable. With a prussik, the stretched shockcord wouldn't be able to release...it would probably still work, but not as well as a tight larkshead IMO.