Cheap Hammock As Overcover

[bcaron]

Can anyone who has experience with overcovers give me their thoughts on how this might work for me.

I was planning on putting my very light backyard hammock under my quilt to add some temp rating. Then it occurred to me to use it as a large overcover and let it hang low to cut the wind from getting to the quilt and me.



Then I removed the suspension line from the channel and clipped the sides closed. Seems to work better. It's attached to the main hammock suspension with prussics, and is slightly above the ridgeline of my HH Expedition.

I can still easily get into the side zip of the hammock. It should breath well, and will hopefully cut most of the wind. If wet snow or rain is in the forecast
I plan to put a tarp over the whole thing. I hope to be able to go well below freezing with my new AHE Potomac underquilt and the overcover.

[Rug]

It's a good idea, but with a couple of downsides worth mentioning.

Most hammocks are made out of breathable material. Not a quality you want in an undercover/weathershield.

And it's bulky (compared to a couple of alternatives).

A very common multi-use item that is popular around here is the Poncho (Dri-ducks or US Military style). I prefer to use the stock Hennessy asym fly that came with my hammock. It works great as an undercover, and is camo to match my main tarp and hide the UQ.

[beep]

I think as a breathable top cover, it looks as though it will do a decent job. It may be a bit heavier than optimal and not so tailored a fit, but usable. Breathable is good to vent some of your exhaled moisture that will otherwise collect on the top cover (a problem with the BBO in sub-freezing temps). The BBO is DWR nylon and works well to add a few degrees of warmth and reduce wind, but it does constitute a place for exhalation moisture to collect (warm water vapor hitting cold, sub-freezing object).

[bigbamaguy]

I can attest to the BBO collecting moisture in subfreezing weather. I had this happen to me this past weekend. Not a real problem but it did lead to a wet back while I was getting out of the hammock. But the extra warmth far outweighed the inconvenience that I suffered............

[Dudorino]

I have a BBO and used it twice now down to 38*. I love it. It's tiny in its stuff sack, weights nothing, still lets through some light and definitely blocks the wind and holds in heat. I highly recommend it. Mine's camo.

I had condensation the first time where I was using a mylar sun screen under my feet. The second time, I didn't use the sun screen and had no moisture at all.

I'm hoping to get below freezing this weekend. If it does, I'll post what happened.

[pgibson]

In those conditions you may want to undo the top tabs to create a vent at the top of the hammock or leave a small bit of zipper opened near your head.Though in the right conditions I have had condensation form on the bug netting alone. Sometimes it just can't be prevented.

[beep]

In those conditions you may want to undo the top tabs to create a vent at the top of the hammock or leave a small bit of zipper opened near your head.Though in the right conditions I have had condensation form on the bug netting alone. Sometimes it just can't be prevented.

Good suggestions! I, too, have had condensation on the bug netting when not using the BBO, though never very much. If it's very still (no wind) and especially below freezing, condensation is a possibility.

This year, I'm planning to focus on using my WB Traveler in colder, non-buggy weather. The BBO doesn't fit the Traveler as well as it does the Blackbird.