Using a space blanket

**OldMan** · 12-07-2009, 10:24

I have often read about people incorporating a space blanket into their cold weather system. But I have not yet figured out the best way to use one. Is it best.

1. Underneath the bottom quilt
2. Between the bottom quilt and the hammock
3. Between the hammock bottom layers
4. Between the hammock and the sleeper
5. Around the sleeper
6. Above the sleeper
7. Above the top quilt
8. Around the whole setup
9. Avoid at all cost

Thanks for your input. Expecting cold again tonight and trying to figure how best to get rigged for it.

**Muskrat** · 12-07-2009, 10:44

watching this post with great anticipation . . . .

Curious minds want to know !

**LosUno** · 12-07-2009, 11:01

I put mine between the UQ and hammock....Silver side up..

Works for me

**Alan** · 12-07-2009, 11:04

Originally Posted by LosUno

I put mine between the UQ and hammock....Silver side up..

Works for me

I do the same thing when I use my HH Expedition

**Muskrat** · 12-07-2009, 11:10

I am curious to know if it can be used as an over cover as long as I leave ventilation on either/both ends? I have a reflective liner for the Yeti already and I think using one as an over on the outside of the bug netting for my WBBB might help retain some additional heat? Granted, how much ventilation would be key here.

**LosUno** · 12-07-2009, 11:13

the hard way, if you use it for a top cover, major condensation will build up.

**animalcontrol** · 12-07-2009, 11:36

if I were to use one(or anyother vapor barrier) , I'd put it in between the layers of the hammock if possible

**canoebie** · 12-07-2009, 11:43

Originally Posted by animalcontrol

if I were to use one(or anyother vapor barrier) , I'd put it in between the layers of the hammock if possible

I would concur, I have used one and put in between layers, under my thermarest or foam pad whichever I was using and had no condensate. I am a warm sleeper and have gone down into the teens with this and no UQ.

**canoeski** · 12-07-2009, 12:00

I have used the thin Mylar version below my HH, but above the underpad and undercover. Effective at 27°. You want it as close to your body without actually touching, silver side up as mentioned. Sufficient insulation on the cold side will help minimize condensation.

I would not use it over my quilt for the condensation reasons mentioned.

Last night I used it in between the hammock layers of my JRB BMBH and it seemed to be helpful at 21°. But, it was hard to insert evenly and flat the full length of the hammock. Tonight I may try it between the hammock anf the underquilt.

HTH,
~bill.

**JayS** · 12-07-2009, 12:02

When I use one, I put it between the hammock and the UQ. It needs to not be actually touching your skin for the radiant reflection to work (or perhaps when it is touching skin, conductive heat loss may overrule the radiant reflection gain...). So you don't want it against skin.

A space blanket is a vapor barrier, as others have stated, so you don't want to put it on the outside of insulation that will be affected by holding moisture. Outside a CCF pad is okay but outside an UQ or TQ is not good without some way of ventilating. But ventilating negates much of the reason you use a space blanket in the first place - for more warmth. A very loosely hung SB as an undercover might work for rain protection but if you need it, you're probably in some wind and a loose SB would be very noisy in wind. Used between fabric, it is not noisy at all.

Hope this helps.