Hi all,
Does any hammock experts have a cheap neat trick to make any ordinary hammock winter proof? if so, which type hammock and what are the material.
Thanks in advance,
Rafael
Hi all,
Does any hammock experts have a cheap neat trick to make any ordinary hammock winter proof? if so, which type hammock and what are the material.
Thanks in advance,
Rafael
FL winter or zero and below? i don't take chances below freezing.
"Tenting is equivalent to a bum crawling into a cardboard box, hammocking is an art" KK
That will depend on where you will be experiencing winter conditions...Originally Posted by Rafael Haney
FL winters are much different from MA winters...etc....
Yup!
My setup gets me to the low- or mid-20's. But that limits me to a May start and an October end around here. Define the 'winter' conditions, then we can talk sleep systems.
FB
Did you do any winter camping before you took up hammocks? Where you sleep is only part of the picture.
You can double things up. It's "layering" - just like clothing. Use two top quilts. Put a second hammock under the one you sleep in, with plenty of insulation between. Use an extra poncho or tarp to block the wind from the side or below. Car camp - you can't carry (or pull) all this stuff until you have a good system worked out. Test in your back yard at first.
IMO, no matter where you camp, pads are the cheapest approach. Even more so since most folks already have pads from their ground days. Some folks here use pads below zero F. The pad just needs to be thick enough for the temp. Pads are also more or less wind proof and water proof, and you are already covered if you are forced to ground for whatever reason.
I have spent a toasty night with two 20+ year old summer weight pads under me at ~18F, probably as warm as I have been in a hammock. But comfort is an issue for many, as is sweat/condensation. A few are fine with pads in hammocks, but many hate them. I think you will be way better off with a double layer ( pad pocket ) hammock, just makes it easier to deal with the pad, keeping it in place. Though I think Fiddleback does fine with a single layer hammock and a wide pad. The pad will need to be wider than on the ground.
I think a pad in the pad pocket of a JRB Bridge hammock reduces comfort very little if any ( but also depends on the pad), but in other hammocks I find pads a bit more of a challenge.
But cheapest? No contest, pads. CCF pads will do fine, because all you need is insulation. You don't need cushioning like when you are on hard ground.
The hammock is not what will keep you warm. The insulation around or in the hammock is what provides the insulation. Any camping hammock can use insulation.
As far as the insulation goes, there are hundreds of threads covering that.
In addition to insulation you have to change your tarp. Don't know about Florida but up north for winter I use a bigger tarp with "doors" to enclose the hammocks.
Don't let life get in the way of living.
A lot do but you don't have too. I have never liked having doors on my tarp.
Part of what I really like about hammocks is being able to look outside.
I just use a large tarp and pay attention to which way the wind is coming from.
My DIY Pulk Project
http://www.landofrath.com/?p=573
True you don't have to have a tarp with doors especially in Florida but for me in winter when its -25 C and the snow is blowing I'm thankful for doors.
Don't let life get in the way of living.
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