Burlap Sacks as a makeshift UQ?

**Otter1** · 06-21-2014, 09:36

Passinthru is right about the skeeters getting through.

I'd find another material for this purpose - with no holes!

**2Questions** · 06-21-2014, 10:23

Originally Posted by StrungOut

with the 2QZQ undercover, would you suggest silnylon or the ripstop version for the Austin area? I'm thinking ripstop because the humidity can get pretty bad here some times and I don't want problems with a mildewy UQ or worse.

Donna here...We would recommend the breathable UQP. The silnylon has it's uses, but you need to know how to avoid condensation issues. The humidity in Texas would be a big concern.

**sargevining** · 06-21-2014, 14:01

I would think that the Epsilon MultiCam UQP would be just the thing for Texas, breathable, water resistant, and tough as nails.

**UncleMJM** · 06-21-2014, 15:39

Originally Posted by StrungOut

UncleMJM, with the 2QZQ undercover, would you suggest silnylon or the ripstop version for the Austin area? I'm thinking ripstop because the humidity can get pretty bad here some times and I don't want problems with a mildewy UQ or worse.

Originally Posted by 2Questions

Donna here...We would recommend the breathable UQP. The silnylon has it's uses, but you need to know how to avoid condensation issues. The humidity in Texas would be a big concern.

Addendum to my previous response:

Listen to Donna.

Not only did she do a great job on my HH zipper mod, my wife loves her UQP and ridge line pouch. Now I'm not sure if her UQP is sil or breathable. Either way, Donna knows of which she speaks, does great work and their customer service is outstanding.

**2Questions** · 06-21-2014, 15:59

Originally Posted by UncleMJM

Now I'm not sure if her UQP is sil or breathable.

If you can scrunch it up into a ball or push it into a stuff sack easily without it wanting to balloon out..then it is breathable!
Donna

**StrungOut** · 06-28-2014, 19:41

In rigging the burlap, should I (hand) sew channels, or somehow bend the cord with the burlap?

Also, shock cord or not-shock cord?

**Otter1** · 06-28-2014, 20:28

Go with the sewn channels.

**StrungOut** · 07-01-2014, 09:10

Well last night was my first attempt with the burlap UQ. I threaded some 2mm cord, using a stake as a needle, into two burlap sacks' weaves. I only weaved through one layer & left the other to dangle. Once hung, the channel to sleep in was parallel to the hammock, so the diagonal didn't have the best protection. Also, the channel's line ridges were defined & rigid, so I slept in a hole. Overall the burlap was a bit warmer, maybe 5 degrees, and did protect from the evil mozzies outside.

Going back out today in hopes of scoring some more burlap to widen the coverage and make a more comfortable protector. Fingers crossed for more burlap or I'm gunna have to cut my sacks in half and only have one extra layer of protection. I'll be buying some shock cord too, which will help with the rigidity of the UQ cord.

**StrungOut** · 07-01-2014, 14:00

Here's the newest incarnation of my burlap UQ.

I decided to rip one seam on each bag, leaving a side and bottom still stitched together. Then I ran shock cord, weaving in and out of the burlap. I would probably not come out the same exit hole on each end again. Instead, I'd give each side their own exit hole. There is space between my hammock and UQ, but I don't think the gap is anything to worry about considering I'm more worried about mosquitos than retaining heat (it's summer in Texas after all). Shall test tonight and post my findings.

**StrungOut** · 07-02-2014, 08:42

AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!! THEY'RE SWARMING ME!

Okay... well... they are. But I only know that because I see 'em chilling on my no-see-em netting. I don't feel any bites (maaaaaybe one) on my back or back of my legs. I think this DIY burlap UQ is a success!

It could be a touch wider still, but for working with what I got, I'm happy and impressed.