Space blanket as part of....

**matmore74** · 11-25-2012, 02:16

I been think of a way to stay warm with out so much gear like a underquilt.($$) I don't have the time to really make a quilt and or the money.
So, I been using a sleeping bag as the quilt and and fleece liner and a second sleeping bag.
I still found I get chiled. So, I bought a space blanket and put it on the inside of my tarp area and a few (4) of alumanum pans with hot rocks from the fire and covered them with alumanum like box heaters or a hand warmer.
I found that the heat will stay and the space blanket works great. If you block one open end and most of the other end when you go to sleep and block the bottom with snow and clean the ground the best you can and lay a pad were your feet and shoe will go wow even that area is cold but not as bad. I also found if you bring a old milk jug you don't have to really get up in the middle of the night to pee. Do you see were this is going? I wanted to take a picture but I lost my camera on the track in.
Tell me what you think after you try the idea. I was thinking of doing a tarp and sawing in on to the main area of the tarp.Like I said I have little time for sewing and buying all the things. I sew when I can and the rest is with work or my kids and when I get a chance I go camping.

**mbiraman** · 11-25-2012, 11:27

ccf blue pads from wallmart work well and are cheap. You could also use a nalgene bottle filled with hot water and then put in a sock. That also helps.

bill.

**Firewalker** · 11-26-2012, 09:32

You can also use reflective windshield/dashboard protectors under you in your hammock. They are light and very cheep. Also if you can zip your sleeping bags around you and your hammock instead of hanging one under you it will keep you much warmer(like a peapod). On my first Mt Rogers trip i used two square walmart sleeping bags and safty pinned the foot end to keep it closed around the hammock. It got down below zero all three nights that weekend. I actualy got too hot at night and had to open the pea pod up to cool off.

**HillHopper** · 12-28-2012, 20:57

Originally Posted by Firewalker

You can also use reflective windshield/dashboard protectors under you in your hammock. They are light and very cheep. Also if you can zip your sleeping bags around you and your hammock instead of hanging one under you it will keep you much warmer(like a peapod). On my first Mt Rogers trip i used two square walmart sleeping bags and safty pinned the foot end to keep it closed around the hammock. It got down below zero all three nights that weekend. I actualy got too hot at night and had to open the pea pod up to cool off.

I have used use the windshield reflectors and a thermorest. I prefer the reflector for bike packing, but for hiking I like the thermorest. I love the versatility of the reflector(ground mat, hammy liner, stretching pad, and will not potentially spring a leak) and the comfort of the thermorest. The reflector is CHEAP, but not as comfy as the thermorest. The one major drawback of the reflector I have found is that it seems to hold in a bit more moisture, but the heat retention is very good. Overall, I use the thermorest if there is room, but for rugged going I take the reflector. Either way, I will be hanging!

**I'm a hammock lover** · 01-30-2014, 22:33

Originally Posted by Firewalker

You can also use reflective windshield/dashboard protectors under you in your hammock. They are light and very cheep. Also if you can zip your sleeping bags around you and your hammock instead of hanging one under you it will keep you much warmer(like a peapod). On my first Mt Rogers trip i used two square walmart sleeping bags and safty pinned the foot end to keep it closed around the hammock. It got down below zero all three nights that weekend. I actualy got too hot at night and had to open the pea pod up to cool off.

I live on a farm. And last year we built a new pole barn. On the roof of the pole barn they lined it with insulation that is about a 1/4" thick of plastic that resembled bubble wrap, without the "pop". One side is clear while the other is silver reflective like a survival blanket. I'm not sure where you would find this, but it would be great for your situation. Reflective, and insulated.

**dewzenol** · 09-10-2015, 00:36

Originally Posted by I'm a hammock lover

I live on a farm. And last year we built a new pole barn. On the roof of the pole barn they lined it with insulation that is about a 1/4" thick of plastic that resembled bubble wrap, without the "pop". One side is clear while the other is silver reflective like a survival blanket. I'm not sure where you would find this, but it would be great for your situation. Reflective, and insulated.

The product is called Reflectix and can be found at most hardware stores in rolls. Or on Amazon in a convenient 48"x10'.
They also sell special tape for joining pieces of it.
Another brand that's similar is InfraStop. I think it's typically used for wrapping hvac ducts and pipes (and water heaters?)

It has apparently been discussed here on this very forum.

**mrrhoads** · 12-05-2015, 14:43

While I agree you can find the material on Amazon like you pointed out, the Hennessy does have the advantage of a few additional things like the fact it has the clips where it will clip into the hammock and ensure that it stays in place. Plus the fact it is already cut and ready to go. Depending on how much you need to pinch pennies that might make it worth while to spend a little more on a product that is complete. If you are military you get a discount at Hennessy so that helps bring the cost down as well. JMO

**nryche** · 11-26-2012, 13:06

+1 on all of the above mentioned.. The answer to the space blanket is... Yes it will help. Don't buy a cheap dollar style.. I have found that the SOL survival blanket is the best for durability. I use a space blanket once the temps drop below 40 degrees. Been down below 25 with just a Walmart CF pad and space blanket under me and a sleeping bag as top quilt..

**matmore74** · 11-26-2012, 18:21

Wow, thanks you guys are given me so great ideas to think about and to enprove on. Do you guys have any more thoughts?

**BillyBob58** · 12-28-2012, 21:25

Originally Posted by matmore74

Wow, thanks you guys are given me so great ideas to think about and to enprove on. Do you guys have any more thoughts?

Just today I noticed the WM 20" wide pads are $7.50, and the 24" wide egg crate model ( not sure if it would be as warm as the 20" wide model ) was about twice that.

For ~ $15, you could get 2 pads, cut one down and make a "T" shape, which would be plenty wide in the shoulders and double thick/warm in that section. You will have to figure out a way of keeping it all together: glue, Duct tape, poke some holes and run some cord through them, etc.

Depending on what kind of bag you have, you might could make it into a pod style setup, like this:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ghlight=PeaPod

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27487

If needed, you can still boost that system with pads, space blankets or extra clothing stuffed between your back and the bag/pod.

Good luck!