Frozen feet at 45 degrees (again)

[JohnSawyer]

Ok, this is getting most annoying.

I setup last night in the back yard in my DIY 9' gathered end hammock.

Lost River UQ, 20 degree synth. bag as a top quilt, zipper pinned above my knees. Under my feet, in the bag was a 3' long piece of reflectix.

This hammock has an overcover made from 1.1 untreated ripstop, and I was under my 8x10 tarp with the doors closed...

Clothing: Thermal underwear, t-shirt, Fleece sweats, Thick wool/poly socks w/ fleece slippers.

I fiddled with the UQ, thinking I had it pulled too tight (per an earlier conversation with PG... Went to bed with a cup of hot cocoa in my stomach, and I was plenty warm before I got in.

I slept fine, and didn't have the problem with pressure on my calves like I did in the past (I loosened my ridgeline a bit.) but I woke up at around 6AM with my feet freezing. It was only 45 degrees last night. If I can't resolve this, I'll be stuck to Summer camping!

Anybody else have cold feet issues?

[Kallorne]

i get cold feet toward morning too... this i counter with a hot water bottle. i'd definitely be interested in a more fuel efficent method though

[Hawk-eye]

The only time I've gotten cold feet ... I was too lazy to change out of my hiking socks into dry ones. I've not had that problem. Are your feet ending up higher than your head? Any kind positioning that might constrict the blood flow to your feet?

[noontime]

not a great solution but you could try those 'hot feet/hot hands' warming packs. I use them when I ride my motorcycle in the winter they work quite well....ha

[HappyCamper]

That is weird. Since it's backyard testing I'd go the opposite direction. Use tarp and close doors. (No top cover.) Use the bottom quilt, top quilt, and ccf pad under feet. Wear a pair of synthetic wicking socks under a medium weight wool sock. (No slippers.) Maybe your feet are sweating and then getting cold??????????

[gargoyle]

what they said... sweaty feet, hot water bottle, clean socks, and heat packs.

Maybe try a bigger hammock, your fairly tall, ?, so a ten foot hammock at 50-60 wide will give you flip-flopin' room. This might be a solution. Seems in my shorter hammocks I stick to one position all night, but in the bigger ones i can toss and turn in extreme comfort.

[russmay]

down booties are a must. if your feet get cold then your cold, period!

[Harpo63]

Guess thats why some people suggest a full UQ. less fiddle factor with all the pad, hot packs, etc not to deal with. I have the New River and its nice, however, being a warm sleeper, I would like to try the 2/3 or 3/4 uqs to see how I do.

[HappyCamper]

Did you have a hat on? JRB's always tell me if your feet are cold put on a hat.

[hangnout]

I suggest getting rid of the reflectix and going with a good ccf pad that is long enough to curl up around your feet where they touch the hammock. I use a cut down ridgerest pad. The shoulders, butt, & feet are pressure points in a hammock. The shoulders & butt are covered by your 2/3 UQ. The feet are unprotected and need good bottom and side insulation.

I will probably catch some flak for the next suggestion but in 40's up I would start off without any socks etc. This will allow you to test quickly. If your torso is warm and feet are cool early in the night you don't have enough insulation under your feet. Bottom line is fix the insulation under your feet and along the area where the side of your your right foot (most people) touches the hammock before trying to put more on your feet to compensate.

I slept out last night at 40* without any socks and was more than warm. I know everyone is different but try this before giving up on colder weather. As it gets colder than 40* make sure the insulation that is on your feet is loose fitting. I like the down style booties, JRB sleeves, etc. Adding the items on your feet still does not compensate for insulation under your feet so double up your pad when it hits the 20's and lower