Very happy with the Super Shelter (and some tips)

I just have to say that I'm another happy SuperShelter user. I've gone down amazingly comfortable to the low 30 s using a 30deg sleeping bag, cotton boxers, poly shirt, the undercover, ocf underpad and amk heatsheet. The SS does have some details that can be a pain at first, but its really nothing that a few mods can't solve. After solving these probs, using the hennessy with the supershelter becomes really cool.

A 2Q zipper mod would definitely make it easier to adjust the pad while in the hammock and easier for people who don't really like the bottom entry but do like the hennessy lay.
Also, the instructions on the SS stuff sack are very clear in my opinion but they could stress a bit more the importance of putting the hammock guyouts as horizontal as possible, at least the head end (left guyout); this for me improved comfort a lot and underpad coverage seemed better.
I came to realize (kind of an obvious thing) that the level of comfort and proper placement of the underpad depended on how I entered the hammock. Best way i have found to get into the hammock is to try and not move or push the pad aside but to fold it instead, then keep it folded on my right hand as well as the hammocks' entrance slit. Once im in i stick my hand out the slit to unfold the underpad. Note that the pad won't completely fold but does allow you to enter the hammock and will stay more to the left side solving the upper left side coverage issue.
No matter what i did, the pad just didn't work on the feet section: always to much to the left. Sticking the right guyout far away and horizontal does help a bit, but to completely solve this i recently had to attach small loops to the hammocks' edge and the underpad and by using a small clip or minibiner I attach the pad to the edge of the hammock. I got into the hammock and I had my girlfriend help me out from the outside to see where the attachment loops should be on the hammock and the pad.

Other from this I've found it more comfortable to hang the feet end of the hammock just a little bit higher than the head. I didn't hang the feet end to much higher than the head, but I had to reduce by more than half to get comfy.

Hope this helps out. Any tips are also welcome.

Thanks for the report, Elco. Good to know about your success. I can't quite figure out what your problem is with the foot section, only because I don't recall ever having that particular problem. So sorry, I have no useful tip, hopefully another user will. My problems always tended to be the opposite, with shoulder and foot sections being too far too the right( at least for the shoulder).

Normally, after I get in I will find the pad uselessly covering too much towards my right shoulder. So before I lay back, I just reach out the foot opening and push down on the space blanket covered pad ( I have to be careful here about puncturing or tearing the pad, pushing on the SB covered part helps), and it pops nicely over to the left so that my left shoulder is well covered. But after I do this, the pad seems to be lined up about correctly under my feet. In fact, I don't recall ever even thinking about foot coverage, only shoulder coverage which can be too far right ward. At least until I make that adjustment.

Sounds like you are doing about right if you have been comfortable to the low 30s. Do you have the kidney torso pads, or are you using just the one long pad? Have you had to augment the pad so far, or have you been warm enogh with just the basic pad, SB and UC?

PS: just thought of something: I have the Explorer, which when I got it a couple of years ago, the Exp pad was 5 or 6" wider than the pad for the ULBP/Expeditions. ( I never understood why HH made them less wide) So I'm wondering: If mine is wider, I may not have to get it as far to the left to cover my left shoulder, leaving more available for the right foot side?

The "basic" SS system has been extremely toastie and with no need of extra clothing or the kindey and tordo pads. I must also say that in the outdoors its not as uncomfortable and dificult to handle as it is indoors.
I do have the kidney and torso pads but have not had to use them. I have thought of using one of these extra pads to widen the underpad on the feet section, but the little loop mod i mention really worked.

The feet problem sucked for me alot, i suffer from extreme cold feet when slepping in the hammock so it is something i noticed right away.

If i´m not wrong you are tall, at least taller than me for sure :), and maybe my problems with underpad coverage are diferent from yours because of this.
The problem with the shoulder i also have it and used to solve it your way since reading about it in a thread of yours (DUH moment i think it was), but found that folding the pad will most of the times save me that step of sticking out the hand from inside the hammock to fix the pad.

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Originally Posted by elcolombianito

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If i´m not wrong you are tall, at least taller than me for sure :), and maybe my problems with underpad coverage are diferent from yours because of this.
The problem with the shoulder i also have it and used to solve it your way since reading about it in a thread of yours (DUH moment i think it was), but found that folding the pad will most of the times save me that step of sticking out the hand from inside the hammock to fix the pad.

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I am 6'1". I may try your folding approach, it mey indeed turn out to be another "DUH" moment! ;)

Thanks for the post, I just ordered the SS with the overcover and was worried that I was making a mistake, I know the quilt is the premium setup, but..

I am a warm sleeper and am a bit concerned, but we'll see how it goes. Thanks again!

Your welcome Agfadoc.

I didn't order the overcover, but since being a few times already under cold and windy conditions I have had to improvise one, and it definetly makes the hammocks' interior much more cozy. So if you don't like the supershelter, try selling it through the forums, but the overcover i recommend you keep.

I hope you also have in mind the spaceblanket: it is A MUST. When I say "the basic SS system" is working well for me, i'm including a spaceblanket used as a vapor barrier (between the topside of the uderpad and the underside of the hammock). Indoors, at home, i don't need the heatsheet, but on the outdoors if i don't use it, its condesation hell.

Anyways, good luck with your SS. Let us know how it goes for you when you get to try it out.

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Originally Posted by elcolombianito

Your welcome Agfadoc.

I didn't order the overcover, but since being a few times already under cold and windy conditions I have had to improvise one, and it definetly makes the hammocks' interior much more cozy. So if you don't like the supershelter, try selling it through the forums, but the overcover i recommend you keep.

I hope you also have in mind the spaceblanket: it is A MUST. When I say "the basic SS system" is working well for me, i'm including a spaceblanket used as a vapor barrier (between the topside of the uderpad and the underside of the hammock). Indoors, at home, i don't need the heatsheet, but on the outdoors if i don't use it, its condesation hell.

Anyways, good luck with your SS. Let us know how it goes for you when you get to try it out.

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I haven't tried the SS yet but I did buy an overcover from another HF member, it works as advertised, IMO.

I made a DIY overcover for my explorer and finally had to take it off this spring. It was getting too hot. The overcover is an excellent piece of kit but is an easy to make DIY jobber, especially if you have a stock tarp to use as a pattern. Yep... it the same shape as the tarp but small... or the same shape as the bug net but bigger. NOTE.. it needs to be breathable or it will rain on you! HH uses untreated Ripstop which is what I used. Mine does not fit so well that the breathing hole is required. There is plenty of leeway around the edges for air to exchange. But it easily raises the interior temp several noticable degrees.

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Originally Posted by elcolombianito

Your welcome Agfadoc.

I didn't order the overcover, but since being a few times already under cold and windy conditions I have had to improvise one, and it definetly makes the hammocks' interior much more cozy. So if you don't like the supershelter, try selling it through the forums, but the overcover i recommend you keep.

I hope you also have in mind the spaceblanket: it is A MUST. When I say "the basic SS system" is working well for me, i'm including a spaceblanket used as a vapor barrier (between the topside of the uderpad and the underside of the hammock). Indoors, at home, i don't need the heatsheet, but on the outdoors if i don't use it, its condesation hell.

Anyways, good luck with your SS. Let us know how it goes for you when you get to try it out.

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i had mentioned using something of my own for undercover insulation on whiteblaze once and was told 'too heavy'. but i have this roll of styrofoam insulation approx 1/4 thick and covered in a flexible foil on each side. hhhhhmmmmmmmm.;)
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...n/PICT1141.jpg

So is a heatsheet the best way to go? or a large walmart truck window cover? I think the heatsheet would be more flexible and I would plan on keeping it as one unit and packing it a stuffsack and using my snakeskins for a larger tarp.

I was reading another member getting down to -27F using additional pads and a quilt below the heatsheet and between the additional pad and the OCFexisitng pad to take up the airspace..like a sandwich.

I am planning on doing some cold weather hiking and living in Wisconsin will allow me to take advantage of cold weather.. guaranteed.

Kind of excited to get rid of the pad in the hammock, that is less than desirable.

Let's not forget the KAQ, a valuable addition to any serious SS kit. Adds some bulk but really helps to increase (or is it decrease?;)) the SS's operating range well into the 20's and below. I have used mine both outside the SS as a traditional underquilt and inside, between the OCF pad and the SS, as additional insulation.

The KAQ plus overcover really makes for a bomb-proof setup. I am also using 2Q's mod #2, so top entry is super easy given all the pads and space blanket. :boggle::boggle:

I wonder if doubling the OCF pad would work out well? It's only 34$ (for the explorer Deluxe) and being 36" wide, I would imagine it would pack better than bringing along a large 1/2 Pad that is only 24" wide but not flexible to stuff into your pack....

I should get the SS next week (I have to work the Print show in Chicago and won't be back until then) so I get to sit in my hotel room and ponder.. Man I hate pndering in hotel rooms..

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Originally Posted by Agfadoc

So is a heatsheet the best way to go? or a large walmart truck window cover? I think the heatsheet would be more flexible and I would plan on keeping it as one unit and packing it a stuffsack and using my snakeskins for a larger tarp............

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I can't see any advantage the truck window cover would have over the HeatSheet or foe that matter the cheap WM space blanket. Wouldn't they all serve the same as a vapor barrier and/or reflective blanket? Although perhaps the wind shield device has some ccf type insulation properties, not sure, but I'm also not sure if it would have enough flexibility to work well on top of the pad?

Also, SS users, in way cold temps, don't forget something called a Garlingtor Insulator! ( see new thread, or do a search)

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Originally Posted by BillyBob58

Also, SS users, in way cold temps, don't forget something called a Garlingtor Insulator! ( see new thread, or do a search)

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Just out of interest I did just that. I'm keen to learn!


However I noticed this here

Assembly Details

'The tarp (shell) can be easily connected to a Speer hammock (or to a Hennessey Hammock if the side pulls are not used). Use the shell’s corner loops to fasten it to the hammock ridgeline, and use the drawstring to position the tarp after occupying the hammock.'

Bearing in mind some of the content of this thread (keeping the side pulls as horizontal as possible), I was wondering if anyone has actually tried the Garlingtor Insulator with a UL

HH suggests leaving the side pull outs unstaked in severely cold weather. When you are augmenting the SS with a Garlington I would suspect you are talking about severely cold weather. The issue is then somewhat moot.

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Originally Posted by Javaman

Let's not forget the KAQ, a valuable addition to any serious SS kit.

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That was a most pleasant surprise for me... I took the SS to Mt Rogers and was comfy the first night. On Sat, Grizz sold me his KAQ. I just added it underneath the SS and was quite toasty that night, at 8-10*F!

Now I just need to make a synthetic top quilt to complement my Frog Sac and replace my Wiggy's Poncho Liner during winter.

- MacEntyre

Ok .... I've bought the Super Shelter but I haven't had the opportunity to use it as yet.

Conceptually, I think I understand how this system works.

It depends on insulation from the OCF pad, a vapor barrier in the form of the Heat sheet picked up separately, and a combination of vapor barrier and wind/storm shield from the Sil undercover.

So ... the Heat sheet will reduce radiant heat loss and heat loss from insensible perspiration.

The Foam pad reduces heat loss through Conduction, or contact with the cooler air below the Hammock.

The Sil reduces heat loss through convection, by reducing air moving across the bottom of the hammock.

So ... once convection and radiant heat loss are no longer a factor, we are left with conduction as the primary remaining mechanism of heat loss through the super shelter.

So ... to further decrease the temperature the Super Shelter can go to, adding insulation would be by far the most efficient means, correct?


My question, assuming I haven't made a huge blunder in my logic, would be how much loft per 10 degrees of temperature assuming were using the Super Shelter and Heat Sheet? Anyone have a feel?

Would adding a closed cell foam pad be a significant help?

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Originally Posted by Captn

... how much loft per 10 degrees of temperature assuming were using the Super Shelter and Heat Sheet? Anyone have a feel?

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I think that depends on the top insulation. In cold weather, I sleep fully clothed with down booties, using a Speer Frog Sac and a Wiggy's poncho liner for top quilts.

With that same top insulation, I've used the SS alone on the bottom at 16*F. I felt like I needed more insulation on top.

However, when I used the SS with a KAQ under it at 8-10*F, I was fine with the same top insulation. I felt like that UQ combination would work at far lower temps, although I was pushing the limits for the top insulation.

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Originally Posted by Captn

Would adding a closed cell foam pad be a significant help?

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I've used a Gossamer Gear 1/4" EVA CCF pad underneath the CCF pad with good results, toasty at 20*F.

Can a different pad be used in the Super Shelter? Like a ThermaRest?

Also, where does one obtain these kidney and torso pads? DIY or what?

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Originally Posted by Mr l33t d00d

Can a different pad be used in the Super Shelter? Like a ThermaRest?

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There is nothing to hold it in place, but it might work just fine.

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Originally Posted by Mr l33t d00d

Also, where does one obtain these kidney and torso pads? DIY or what?

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You can order a Speer Pad Extender and the CCF foam from Speer Hammocks.

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Originally Posted by Mr l33t d00d

Can a different pad be used in the Super Shelter? Like a ThermaRest?

Also, where does one obtain these kidney and torso pads? DIY or what?

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The pad would have to be flexible enough to let the SS form to the hammock. Since the pad is cheapest part of the system I'm not sure why you would want to replace it with something else.

The Torso and Kidney pads are available from HH. Or at least were. I don't understand why they don't advertise them when there are reveiws and quotations from Tom H saying they are an important part of the system. Ask for them specifical;ly when/if you order the set up.

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Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

I don't understand why they don't advertise them...

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Good point! I forgot all about them!

:rolleyes:

Yea I haven't even seen them mentioned on the Hennessy website. Are they additional pads to add to the UnderPad or is it a modified UnderPad with the kidney and torso pads added?

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Originally Posted by Mr l33t d00d

Yea I haven't even seen them mentioned on the Hennessy website. Are they additional pads to add to the UnderPad or is it a modified UnderPad with the kidney and torso pads added?

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They are additional. You can add the torso size pad, the smaller kidney area pad, or both together to the original full length pad. It doubles or triples the thickness at the area where you need it most, for a pretty small weight/bulk increase. I have found them quite helpful.

Or you can skip all of that and use clothing you are not wearing to bed, or a Garlington Insulator ( several threads here on that) for a significant warmth boost. Or you can use all of the above with the kidney/torso pads. There are quite a few tricks for boosting warmth in the SS.

Of course, if you are going to use extra clothes in the under cover or to make a Garlington Insulator, it will require that you have some extra clothing that is not already a part of your top quilt/bag sleep system. If you are depending on every piece of clothing you have being worn while you sleep in order to be warm enough on top, then naturally you can't count on adding it below for extra insulation.

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Originally Posted by Javaman

Let's not forget the KAQ, a valuable addition to any serious SS kit. Adds some bulk but really helps to increase (or is it decrease?;)) the SS's operating range well into the 20's and below. I have used mine both outside the SS as a traditional underquilt and inside, between the OCF pad and the SS, as additional insulation.

The KAQ plus overcover really makes for a bomb-proof setup. I am also using 2Q's mod #2, so top entry is super easy given all the pads and space blanket. :boggle::boggle:

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What does KAQ stand for?

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Originally Posted by mtncmpr

What does KAQ stand for?

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KickAss Quilts...... Under quilts ... synthetic.

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Originally Posted by Shug

KickAss Quilts...... Under quilts ... synthetic.

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Thanks Shug

http://kickassquilts.com/

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Originally Posted by Captn

Ok .... I've bought the Super Shelter but I haven't had the opportunity to use it as yet.

Conceptually, I think I understand how this system works.

It depends on insulation from the OCF pad, a vapor barrier in the form of the Heat sheet picked up separately, and a combination of vapor barrier and wind/storm shield from the Sil undercover.

So ... the Heat sheet will reduce radiant heat loss and heat loss from insensible perspiration.

The Foam pad reduces heat loss through Conduction, or contact with the cooler air below the Hammock.

The Sil reduces heat loss through convection, by reducing air moving across the bottom of the hammock.

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Should my UC (Sil) be hanging free and clear under the pad and hammock creating an air gap? Last night was my first hang and it seemed that the UC was tight to the bottom of the pad, and both were covered/soaked in condensation by morning.Soaked is an overstatement, but the pad is still moist after hanging in the garage since lunchtime.
Maybe my Heat sheet was not covering me completely, but apart from issues of placement at the feet, it certainly felt like there was coverage.