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  1. #1
    New Member
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    Winter Camping - Newb - First Hang - Questions about Price - Cheap / Quality

    I have a group from my church that go on a mens winter camping trip every year. This will be year 4. In the past we have camped at Michigan State Campgrounds along Lake Michigan. Temperatures will be between zero and 30 degrees, and we will expect snow. In the past we have tented, tee-pee'd, and snow igloo'd (Quinzhee).

    This year we hope to go more minimal and hike a couple of miles into the Huron-Manistee National Forest and setup camp.

    For fun, Hammock camping has been suggested. Since this is new to us, and budgets are important, we have a few ideas.

    The plan:
    Hammock, sleeping pad(s), and homemade underquilt using a sleeping bag. Weight is not important. Tarp above or even above and around. (enclosure?)

    Extreme option: Build up snow around the base and cover with a tarp to make a pocket for insulation.

    1st Question: Are we way over our heads in terms of staying warm?

    ---------------

    Second Question: What is wrong with the cheap $35 china hammocks on Amazon as opposed a well built one? From what I can tell, size and quality of suspension is the difference. So, as long as its dimensional long enough, and I put up with a bad suspension, will the cheap hammock will be just fine?

    My cheap option: OuterEQ Portable Parachute Nylon Fabric Travel $35
    My better option: Hammock Bliss Sky Bed Bug Free $100

    Why not go the cheap route? What am I missing?

    Thanks for the tips!

  2. #2
    Senior Member punkisdead's Avatar
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    Sep 2014
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    Hudsonville, MI
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    You could always rent the hammocks and quilts from UnderGround Quilts.

    http://undergroundquilts.com/rentals/default.html

  3. #3
    gunner76's Avatar
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    Dec 2009
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    Murphy NC
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    Many of those cheap china hammocks while well made are very short and narrow. See this review I did on one here

    Regardless of your set up, you need to test it before you head out into the woods, especially with the conditions you are expecting.


    I am still 18 but with 52 years of experience !

  4. #4
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by gunner76 View Post
    Many of those cheap china hammocks while well made are very short and narrow. See this review I did on one here

    Regardless of your set up, you need to test it before you head out into the woods, especially with the conditions you are expecting.


    Gunner hit the nail on the head with both his points. Winter hammocking in Michigan (or any other state that gets cold temps and sometimes lots of snow) does take a learning curve and doing it safely and being confident in your gear is first priority. If they are really set on using hammocks, do it in the backyard first where you've got a bailout plan and can figure out your comfort range. If you want to get out and see some a variety of gear in action, we've got the Gluttony Hang planned at Pinney Bridge CG in the Jordan River Valley the weekend of Nov. 6-8. Come on up for the weekend and meet some HF members. The more the merrier!

  5. #5
    Member OutdoorEnvy's Avatar
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    Jul 2015
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    Central OK
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    DIY 11' 1.6oz HyperD XL
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    For $35 you can get a 11' hammock from dutch at his dutchware site with your pick of fabric material and color. That's a heck of a deal on the low cost side but with respectable quality from a USA vendor/maker.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    Jun 2014
    Location
    IL/WI border
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    X2 on the testing before heading out. You and your group will be miserable if you get out there and are not prepared. I have noticed in the past that there is a difference being cold in a tent vs a hammock. In a tent, youre just cold....In a hammock, youre downright chilled to the bone....all the way thru your body. Hard to explain, but it is what it is.
    It sounds like you have some DIY skills, so it would be wise of you to spend plenty of time in the DIY forum. If you can do it yourself, do it right, and save money, I say go for it. Or you could pony your hard earned cash and go with the many cottage vendors. That's what I do. I consider them the experts so I leave it to them. But then again, Im a full time hanger so I can afford a little more on my gear cuz I don't have to pay for a bed....

  7. #7
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    thank you!!!!
    1. Practice

    How important is a dual layer or pad pocket?
    Am i correct to say I need both the pad and some sort of under quilt?
    Has anyone hung at 0 degrees F?

  8. #8
    Senior Member bkrgi's Avatar
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    Jul 2014
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    Terrace BC
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    Oogle around Shugs videos and his -40 exploits
    https://www.youtube.com/user/shugemery

    I would recommend the UGQ rental program as well...at least you will have what you need (you supply the TQ/Sleeping bag). At them low temps you DO NOT want to be DIY'ing without some serious testing to be sure you got it right especially when you hiking in a ways and a bail out is not right there.

    A Dutch Hammock single layer is a good place to start and then spend the big $$$ on down UQ TQ rated for at least 0* from any of the vendors on here.
    For a Tarp you can cheap out with a Wally World blue tarp

    But do back yard test before you depart
    Life is too Short to not feed the addiction....Hang on and explore the World

  9. #9
    Senior Member Slider1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
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    Hartford City, In
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    Darien Dream Hammock
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    You can check out some of Shug's videos on you tube. https://youtu.be/CTuGJgka1qc He has done some sub zero hangs. +1 on what the guys said about testing. Very important!
    Slider1
    Survival gear...ten White Castle hamburgers and my hammock.

  10. #10
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
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    Minnesota
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    I have many so....
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    Here is my Winter Camping Trips and Tips playlist.....https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...o-W6qquKQdK35e
    It may give some insight.
    Carry Forth.
    Shug
    Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven

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