VIDEO:Frogg Toggs poncho mod

[hangNyak]

Shock cord will do just fine. The listed weight for a poncho is 8.4 oz; very few underquilts come in under that weight. But, one of the advantages of an undercover is that it doesn't need to be anywhere near as snug as an underquilt (as a matter of fact, using it with an underquilt, you don't want it snug at all), so the flexion that shock cord offers is less important.

Looking forward to seeing yours in two days, guys!

Absolutely right. I will probably switch to shock cord, once I order some more. I'm gonna give it a go for this hang ,as is and see how it works out.

[Gumbo]

Great job Ron! I'll be bringing our frog tog ponchos to FHV, and may need your input for converting them for the RR's.

See you soon!

[h12plus]

Great idea! I carry this same poncho and I will give this a shot. I just got a new river for Christmas and I was debating whether I needed a under quilt protector. Do I still need one for warmth if I'm under a tarp?

[FLRider]

Great idea! I carry this same poncho and I will give this a shot. I just got a new river for Christmas and I was debating whether I needed a under quilt protector. Do I still need one for warmth if I'm under a tarp?

Don't expect "warmth"; expect "wind break and water resistance".

If your tarp is capable of being staked flush (or nearly so) with the ground completely around the hammock, an UQP is superfluous. If not, an UQP can help with keeping wind from stealing warmth from your underquilt and will help prevent any windblown rain from bothering you in the hammock.

Personally, I use a tarp that is smaller (proportionately) than the Hennessy asym. I get by (even in the fringes of a tropical storm; tested it in my front yard the first year I was using it) with that and an UQP. It keeps me dry, even in windblown rain. It also is my summer (50*+; I'd recommend it for most folks for 55-65*+) insulation when I crumple up a ~1 oz space blanket into it to prevent air movement underneath me (YMMV here).

Hope it helps!

[hangNyak]

Great idea! I carry this same poncho and I will give this a shot. I just got a new river for Christmas and I was debating whether I needed a under quilt protector. Do I still need one for warmth if I'm under a tarp?

I agree with FLRider, except I do believe you will gain some degree of warmth. Any insulation under you in a hammock is good, providing you use it correctly. I can't stress enough, to make sure the poncho is not compressing your UQ, whether it be down or synthetic. Otherwise you will be defeating what you are trying to achieve. Rider is right, in that the main use for an UQP is to protect against wind and rain. Also, I have had a couple hangs where I had low underbrush and was afraid something was going to poke through my quilt. This poncho would also be perfect in that situation as well.

[brianb]

Love this idea, great job. I'll be modding mine this week. Been getting my base weight down, so I love multi-use. I carry the poncho sometimes, but if it can do more than one task it may earn a more permanent place in my pack.