First Hang and insulation recommendations

[toddseimer]

Got a chance to go out for my first backpacking trip and hang. Just a 1 nighter here in Ohio. I have a GT Skeeter Beeter Pro and Kelty Noah's 12' (yes I know this tarp is overkill but I love that I can make doors with it for a serious rain) and through rain and 39 degree temps it was overall great. My only complaint was my sleeping bag but that's why I'm here. I have a closed cell foam pad that worked great but my bag is a 15 year old walmart mummy special. Not sure what it's rated but keeps me comfortable down to 45. It also weighs about 6lbs and packs down to a basketball after compression. So here's a little about what I need.

-under 3lbs
-40 degree rating (most of my camping will be in late spring, summer and early fall in Ohio)
-packs down to melon size or smaller
-vents well for summer nights
-under $100
-I'm 6'2" but don't necessarily need a tall bag

If money was no issue I'd go the UQ & TQ route but money is an issue. I'll probably get out 2-3x's per year for 1 nighters. The foam pad worked great for keeping my butt warm so I'm ok with that cheap fix.
I've been looking at the Kelty Cosmic Down 40 for $90 and dreaming of the JRB Shenandoah.
Suggestions?

[jamaulwall]

If it was me in your situation I'd look at a cheap walmart synthetic mummy like this and save the rest of the money towards a jarbridge underquilt from Arrowhead Equipment. I think the underquilt is the best upgrade I made in hammock camping. To me it's more important than the top insulation so that's why I say you can get by for a few years on a cheapo mummy bag until you can afford a decent down top quilt or bag. I have not experience with the kelty cosmic bags but I was tempted to get one at one point and I hear they are a good value. Good luck with your decision.

[Ragabash]

I know $300 is hard to swallow for a TQ, but if you can squirrel away money for a while, you won't regret getting a really good down quilt. A pad underneath you, like a $20 cheaply from Walmart will get you through most of three seasons, at least where I live, but a good lightweight TQ is irreplaceable for me. Of course, everybody is different!

[bananachunks]

Can always do a DD Underblanket for around $75, and use your bag as a top quilt as you save up...

[sargevining]

If you can squeeze another $70 out of your budget, this is a good choice:

http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/prodigy/

It can be used as a UQ in a pinch.

[sargevining]

I've also had good success with a SnugPak Jungle blanket as both a TQ and a UQ:

http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/prodigy/

You'd need to do a bit of sewing to get that done.

If not, the SnugPak Jungle bag is an option for a TQ:


http://www.amazon.com/Snugpak-Jungle...jungle+blanket

[Iamrain22]

I'm looking at the SOL escape bivvy as a super lightweight and compressible alternative to a traditional under quilt. It's breathable too.. Which can be nice but.. I'm unsure if the standard version of this bivy is more suitable to do as strictly a bottom warmth generator. Probably both would work. I think you would just have more options possibly with the breathable escape model, by being able to use it on the bottom or completely in cased in it.

[toddseimer]

awesome recomendations guys. I'm really glad to hear that an UQ is such a valuable upgrade to a hammock. If you were to compare the Jarbridge, DD Underblanket, Prodigy and the JRB Shenandoah what would your thoughts be for things like warmth, weight, packability?

[toddseimer]

ok so after searching around a little I'm looking at the hammock gear burrow 20 or 40 and also the KAQ jarbridge. looks like the jarbridge is rated at 25? Does it really keep people that warm?

[pgibson]

ok so after searching around a little I'm looking at the hammock gear burrow 20 or 40 and also the KAQ jarbridge. looks like the jarbridge is rated at 25? Does it really keep people that warm?

We base our temps on user feed back mostly. We have had a few very hearty folks take them into the single digits. Most folks though are very comfortable into the rated temp range. We don't try to go off of "survivable" ratings but more off of a comfortable to point of view.