Cheap hammock as an under cover?

**DaleW** · 07-09-2011, 11:30

Brainstorming out loud here-- I was watching a video on the Hennessy insulation system. I have a GT Ultralight hammock that is a simple channel design and it struck me that it could be easily adapted to an under cover with a little shock cord and some mitten clips. My plan is to use it with a CCF foam pad and space blanket. The fabric isn't windproof like the silnylon, but it would hold the pad and space blanket in place.

The prime motivating factor is dollars-- the GT is $15 and I can still convert it back to a hammock for summer day hikes, etc.

Any thoughts?

**MikeN** · 07-09-2011, 11:38

Certainly can't hurt to try it out and see!

**NewtonGT** · 07-12-2011, 15:31

not to change the thread topic but I had thought about using the GTUL under my hammock as a gear storage. I dont know how waterproof it is to use it as a undercover though

**DaleW** · 07-12-2011, 18:23

Right on topic to me and thanks for pointing it out. I wasn't concerned about waterproofness, but it is something to consider. With the GTUL as undercover, a foam pad and space blanket, the primary hammock (Hennessy Expedition) and an oversize tarp, I don't think much would get through.

A silnylon undercover would be more windproof too, but there are those three layers under my sleeping bag, making six layers of material between my backside and the cold night air, not including my clothing. An' doggonit, if that ain't enough, I should stay home!

It's all about dollars-- I don't own an undercover, but I do have the GTUL and it was all of $15 and it is 9 ounces without the hardware.

**NewtonGT** · 07-12-2011, 20:10

oh I know what your saying man for sure. I saw on the eno website about them using something pretty much a light weight hammock under the enos for storage and I thought my GTUL would work great for that. I might try that this weekend and tell you how it worked but since I live in SC i dont really need any under insulation for awhile

**bcaron** · 07-12-2011, 20:14

I did exactly what you suggest up until this season, when I purchased an UQ.
You will want the ccf pad to be wide enough to insulate your shoulders also. I used a Speer SPE between the Hennessy and the cheapo hammock.

**RootCause** · 07-12-2011, 20:42

Look through the forums and Ray Garlington's site for the "Garlington Insulator", this is the same concept- a hammock for insulation underneath your hammock.

It works well, it was my primary extended insulation for my first couple years hanging in colder weather. It gets a bit "fiddly" though, and I find a double-layer hammock or UQ is generally faster to set up.

As always: HYOH and give it a try!

**BillyBob58** · 07-12-2011, 21:32

Originally Posted by DaleW

Right on topic to me and thanks for pointing it out. I wasn't concerned about waterproofness, but it is something to consider. With the GTUL as undercover, a foam pad and space blanket, the primary hammock (Hennessy Expedition) and an oversize tarp, I don't think much would get through.

A silnylon undercover would be more windproof too, but there are those three layers under my sleeping bag, making six layers of material between my backside and the cold night air, not including my clothing. An' doggonit, if that ain't enough, I should stay home!

It's all about dollars-- I don't own an undercover, but I do have the GTUL and it was all of $15 and it is 9 ounces without the hardware.

Do it, Bro! It will work. Yes, as it is not sil-nylon, it will not give the waterproof/windproof barrier of the HHSS. But if you are going to put a ccf pad and sb in there, those will be pretty much wind proof( and even somewhat WP) anyway. You can also spray it with some DWR the way Ed Speer has described.

You can put other types of insulation in there, like a spare down bag, and it will be breathable. Fit may be a problem, especially in the legs and will probably require some experimenting. But you could just use it to insulate your torso and put a separate pad under your legs inside the hammock.

It is worth experimenting with. Add some shockcord as needed, sewing on a few extra loops also as needed.

Originally Posted by NewtonGT

oh I know what your saying man for sure. I saw on the eno website about them using something pretty much a light weight hammock under the enos for storage and I thought my GTUL would work great for that. I might try that this weekend and tell you how it worked but since I live in SC i dont really need any under insulation for awhile

No, you need a hammock air conditioner!

**CrackMunk** · 07-12-2011, 21:40

It will work, I used an old pocket net hammock and used a 20* sleeping bag as insulation. I was warm as toast in 25*

**DaleW** · 07-12-2011, 22:27

I have a net hammock that I was considering, but the GTUL will give a little better heat retention.

Others were posting about using a cheap hammock for storage and the cheapie net hammocks are perfect for that. Might be good for seating too.

As to insulation:
I have a roll of 5mm blue foam that is 66" wide, so I can make a pad any width I need

I also have a prototype synthetic fill sleeping bag that is basically a double sized comforter and it is begging to get cut up and made into an UQ.

Now, if you want to take this further, you could take a cheap hammock, throw a polyester bat in it and have an instant UQ. It would be easy to sew through with yarn in spots to keep the bat in place. If you wanted to fly a little higher, you could add Velcro tabs to the sides-- loops on the main hammock and hooks on the UQ side.