Extend underquilt temp range - need ideas

[litetrek]

I'm going hiking up in the North Carolina mountains in December and I expect the temperature (worst case) will be 10 degrees colder than my underquilt's temp rating. I have an arrowhead jarbidge rated at 25F. I've been out in it at about 28F an was comfortable, but on the edge of being coldish. I was wearing a hat, wool socks and merino wool long johns. So I think I'll need to get about 10 degrees more.

I have a couple of ideas. a) taking my woobie and doubling it over and using the underquilt to hold it against the bottom of the hammock. b) adding my ridgerest or wally world foam pad inside the hammock or c) using a space blanket to reflect some heat. I have no idea how effective these ideas would be.

Any comments on my ideas or better ideas would really be appreciated.

[litetrek]

I'm going hiking up in the North Carolina mountains in December and I expect the temperature (worst case) will be 10 degrees colder than my underquilt's temp rating. I have an arrowhead jarbidge rated at 25F. I've been out in it at about 28F an was comfortable, but on the edge of being coldish. I was wearing a hat, wool socks and merino wool long johns. So I think I'll need to get about 10 degrees more.

I have a couple of ideas. a) taking my woobie and doubling it over and using the underquilt to hold it against the bottom of the hammock. b) adding my ridgerest or wally world foam pad inside the hammock or c) using a space blanket to reflect some heat. I have no idea how effective these ideas would be.

Any comments on my ideas or better ideas would really be appreciated.

[ksbcrocks]

The foam pad should get you there if you don't mind the pad being in there with you.

[The Tree Frog]

Have you tried the hot water bottle trick? Boil water before bed and put in Nalgene bottle. May want to put bottle in wool sock so you don't get burned. Put that in bed with you. Stays warm all night.

Double up with another UQ. I have "stacked" a Jarbidge outside of my New River UQ and took them to 15 degrees and I'm sure could have gone to zero.

UQ protector to help against wind.

What top quilt or bag are you bringing?

[litetrek]

Have you tried the hot water bottle trick? Boil water before bed and put in Nalgene bottle. May want to put bottle in wool sock so you don't get burned. Put that in bed with you. Stays warm all night.

Double up with another UQ. I have "stacked" a Jarbidge outside of my New River UQ and took them to 15 degrees and I'm sure could have gone to zero.

UQ protector to help against wind.

What top quilt or bag are you bringing?

I've got a 20 F down top quilt.

[captaincoupal]

There's a couple of things you can do - the "woobie" idea is a good one, but put it inside instead of outside, to preserve the loft of the jarbridge but to add warmth, as you're considering doing. Another idea is to try just a simple reflective blanket, like the $0.50 emergency one that they give away at marathons, on top of your jarbridge. The reflective blanket will add warmth by acting as a vapor barrier. A third idea would be to simply wear more clothes to sleep, and stuff anything that you have an excess of, like your jacket, into the space on top of your jarbridge. Finally, I'm going to also echo the other suggestion of the Nalgene water bottle trick - put it against a major artery, like inside of your inner thigh - you'll be sweating!

[DrPhun]

Those disposable handwarmears. one can make a big difference and will still be giving off heat in the morning.

[Scaryfeet]

I put a fleece blanket between my underquilt and hammock, does the job.

[locknload]

I've been thinking about the same thing. I have a 20 deg Incubator and may go South of its rating. My plan was to use a Costco down throw and fold it over doubling it up between my UQ and hammock. I'd just need to anchor it to the either the hammock or UQ so it doesn't slide out during a midnight potty break.

I also plan on an underquilt protector for rain mist, wind, and an extra layer to help seal the heat in. I figure even if I had a 0 deg UQ, I'd still have a UQ protector.

[Kvothe]

Foam pad if you don't mind the pad. Reflectix will create a vapor barrier, so you may have condensation issues. If you want another alternative, an Underquilt protector is supposed to add another 5 to 15 degrees, eliminating some heatloss from your UQ through wind etc.