Hi. I am from Germany and have a Hennessey Hammock (Explorer) and used it for a week in Austria and a 4 day hike in Spain up to now and it was great - easy to set up, nice back-saving sleep, a bit messy when it rained and the soil was dirty underneath. But overall it was good. In one case I also brought my small dog and she slept with me in the hammock, that was nice and warm then. But overall I do not yet know how to e equipped best for cool weather. I tried using a wool blanket in the hammock for insulation under me and to wrap me in (no sleeping bag), that was ok in summer, but still not really perfectly warm plus I always had problems with some part of me sticking eventually out and getting cold. So I tried blanket for insulation but sleeping bag on top of that, which worked reasonably well, but I had to carry a woolen blanket AND a sleeping bag, which was not lightweight. I tried a pad once but that was just a mess of parts sliding around as the sleeping bag, the pad AND the hammock are synthetics and thus "slick".
So I am looking for the best way to comfortably camp with the HH Explorer in a climate that can be wet and be as cool as 5°C or so, but with as little weight and volume to carry around as possible. I dont have the time for many DIY solutions sadly, tough I always liked to try them, and I learned that sometimes saving a few bucks on cheaper equipment does not pay off when in the end one is cold, uncomfortable or has to carry more weight than needed, so I am also open for buying quality commercial products but they have to be really worth the money.
So can anyone tell me what is good equipment to do what I want? What type of quilt is the best for the HH Explorer and what kind of sleeping bag works best with hammocks? Are there sleeping bags that are better suited because maybe they compress less and thus maintain their temperature rating even if used in a hammock - or is the type of sleeping bag irrelevant?
Also I am interested in double use items. Are they practical? I read that some quilts for hammocks can also serve as a coat during hiking and I saw that Hennessey has a rainfly that can be used as a cape. This would save even more weight and room in the backpack, if those are good options.
Thank you
Aurora
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