After weeks of research on the topics of ultralight backpacking and hammocking, it struck me that there is a lot of material on using a layered system when dressing for the outdoors, but very little on using a layered system for sleeping. I have come up with a hypothetical sleep system for the hammock and would like your thoughts before diving into my wallet and cutting cloth. Bear in mind that I am a heat box when I sleep, but here is what I have:
1. a single-layer hammock made of 1.1 oz uncoated RS Nylon with a pad pocket.
2. the top layer would be full size, but the bottom (pad pocket) would be of silnylon, 30"x 48"x 1/2" deep.
3. I would slide a 30"x48" sheet of 1/4" reflectex in the pad pocket
4. in the hammock I would have layers, as follows, listed nearest to skin and out:
- silk bag liner
- mylar sheet
- poncho liner
- RS nylon poncho
The silk bag liner would be cut open, and plastic grommets added around the edges of all layers. This would give me the ability to quickly bind them all together either as a bag or as a quilt. Depending on the weather, I would be wearing my base layer, camp socks and warm hat. Additionally, there would be a bottom shell of silnylon to provide a couple of inches of dead air space.
I figure the combination of layers, heat reflection, and wind screening (poncho, bottom shell & tarp) could keep me comfortable down to 30 degrees. Not to mention that I've got options if I need to ground it for a night.
What are your thoughts?
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