Made it down to 45 last night and toasty warm.

**BeachHanger** · 10-26-2014, 12:29

So since I got my hammock I've been struggling to find a system that worked for colder weather. The easiest solution would have been to buy an certified top and bottom quilt, but I just couldn't justify that purchase with all the gear that I already own. Last night I went on a weekender with the wife and she stayed in the tent, I stayed in the hammock. I used my USGI 3/8ths inch ccf pad, and my black intermediate bag from my MSS. But this time instead of unzipping and using it as a top quilt I zipped myself up and used it as a bag. Wearing polypro tops and bottom and wool socks I was plenty warm. I actually got a little too warm and opened the hood up to get some air. I did find that my feet were warmer after removing my wool socks. My wife and the other woman staying with us both got up complaining about the cold. Even the woman staying next to us who decided to sleep in her car got so cold she left before the sum came up. All were beyond jealous that I had no complaints about the weather. It made it down into the 45-48 degree range with a steady 4 mph wind blowing all night. I didnt even bother to put my tarp up that night. I'd say, putting my tarp up, maybe a fleece liner, and I have a new insulated Klymit Static V pad coming to replace my CCF pad- I could get this system easily down into the 30's maybe lower. Thanks for all the advice HF.

**2ply** · 10-26-2014, 13:26

Sounds like you're on the way to many a fine nights sleep.

**backpacker** · 10-26-2014, 18:00

It's always good when your able to sleep warm and freeze your butt off.

**JSH** · 10-26-2014, 18:09

I've been hanging this week at Sandbridge Beach some distance above you. Sounds like you're figuring out how to use the equipment you've got. Betting you set up your pad and hammock so it was very stable.

**BeachHanger** · 10-26-2014, 19:17

Originally Posted by Steve Hoard

I've been hanging this week at Sandbridge Beach some distance above you. Sounds like you're figuring out how to use the equipment you've got. Betting you set up your pad and hammock so it was very stable.

Yes, I know specialized products like top quilts and bottom quilts are well worth their money, but I prefer to exhaust my available options before I move on to something new.

**JSH** · 10-26-2014, 19:25

This week I've been trying out stuff that I already had as you suggest. I have a lot of running clothing that's polypro for example. I can't afford to buy every contingency. I'm coming to realize that much of the specialized equipment is well engineered, solves technical problems and increases comfort but it can add up pretty quickly. I've been hanging several months and got carried away a bit buying equipment. Some of the things I've bought while good products don't fit with how I'll be hiking and camping. Have decided to be a bit more methodical going forward. Sounds like you're doing similar things.

**BeachHanger** · 10-26-2014, 21:42

Originally Posted by Steve Hoard

This week I've been trying out stuff that I already had as you suggest. I have a lot of running clothing that's polypro for example. I can't afford to buy every contingency. I'm coming to realize that much of the specialized equipment is well engineered, solves technical problems and increases comfort but it can add up pretty quickly. I've been hanging several months and got carried away a bit buying equipment. Some of the things I've bought while good products don't fit with how I'll be hiking and camping. Have decided to be a bit more methodical going forward. Sounds like you're doing similar things.

I got my polypro from a couple of thrift stores in my area that sell military surplus. The local MilSurp store had polypro sets for 20 dollars a piece, the thrift store sold bottoms for 5 dollars and tops for 2 dollars. I bought two sets for less than the price of one new set. Look into it.