Well I now know why everyone has too much hammock gear. Trial and error. Think I will do the weather shield first.
Well I now know why everyone has too much hammock gear. Trial and error. Think I will do the weather shield first.
Last edited by n1ck0l3man; 02-18-2012 at 09:59.
Socks and condensation.
Have you noticed some people get major condenstate and others don't.
Years ago my bagpipe teacher asked me if I was a wet breather. I didn't know
what he was talking about, but all of us put out moisture from skin and breath
at different levels. I'm not a wet breather nor do I sweat much even on hot days going uphill--one guy I've hiked with produces a literal river of sweat that flows down the trail-I'd bet he'd get condensation too. Point of all that is you dont know until you know, the sock may or may not be prohibitive based on condensation until you try.
I just put up pics today of my sock made out of a lightweight cotton painter's drop cloth. I think the cotton will breath better than goretex, eVent, etc.
There is a site called wintertrekking that has a lot of good information on camping in very cold weather. My research there and elsewhere tells me that most of the people who camp in very cold weather favor natural fabrics like cotton and wool to break the wind, keep them warm, and to transfer moisture from inside to outside. According to them, the problem with many synthetics is that the pores get clogged with moisture and freeze over, preventing any breathing at all.
Cotton has its limitations. You don't want to get it wet and have it next to your skin, but as an outer layer in very cold weather, it is hard to beat.
The best cotton outdoor fabric made is something called Ventile. There are only one or two mills that make it in the world and I believe both are in England. You can get a jacket made out of it from Wiggy's and they might also sell you raw fabric, but it may run as much as $40.00/ yd. Ventile is light, windproof, waterproof, and breathes. It was used during WWII to make flight suits so that pilots who go shot down over the North Atlantic could survive in the cold water long enough to get picked up.
I do a weathershield like shug. However mine is not a dedicated piece of gear. I use my poncho since I am carrying it anyway. I ran a line through the hems on the two short sides to cinch it up and tie to the hammock ends. for additional warmth, a plastic bag with (or without) a space blanket crumpled in side can be laid between the poncho and hammock (google garlington insulator) to provide siginificant insulation.
This thread has talked a lot about socks and weather shields, and that's good, but I don't want Nick013man to forget that he needs a pad to stay warm.
It I were him, my next move after getting a pad, would be to work on an underquilt.
Socks, overcovers, weathershields can provide additional advantages in certain conditions but are not something to be used on every hike. In fact, there are canditions where you positively do not want a sock, etc.
Mike
"Life is a Project!"
I use a pad I just want to add a little more heat for the colder days. What do you think about getting the 2qzq weather shield? breathable or no?
I have the 2QZQ breathable shield and it works well. It knocks the wind down and protects my under quilts from any debris that may splash up. I used this with pads when I first started out and kept it for use with my UQs.
You can make it or snag one from 2QZQ. They make awesome gear.Originally Posted by OutdoorJunkie1992
Fronkey
What is better the breathable or regular silnylon?
My down and dirty poncho underliner from a Frog Toggs poncho and mason line in the hems. Stuffed with a modified pad or my down parka (or whatever), it seems like a winner. I'm not sure if it would fit up and over the hammock too, but it might make a pretty good cocoon.
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