Extend underquilt temp range - need ideas

[psyculman]

That blue WM pad with just the OCF gray Hennessy foam, in the HH SS has gotten me down to the teens and even 0 comfortably, w/o a mylar/aluminum layer. You should be plenty good.

[hutzelbein]

I've had good success with a sock. Adding a pad helped a lot, too.

[JSH]

Last winter was my first using a hammock and I experimented throughout cold weather. You've gotten some good suggestions based on my experiments. A couple additional ideas though.

You mentioned a hat. I'm bald and learned how important it was to insulate the top of my body, neck up. You might add a balaclava to your clothing or if you're like me I have a down hood that I got from JRB. One of my best buys last year. I found a wool stocking cap helped with all of the other insulation I used. 20F top and bottom quilts, and under quilt protector and the winter cover in my Warbonnet XLC. But when it got into the teens I needed the down hood which is about the length of a balaclava.

I also keep a fleece with me when it's really cold to wear on top of the base layer long johns and tops. Always sleep with wool socks and hiking pants (dry ones) as well.

Secondly, you didn't mention how you would rig your tarp. I discovered that even a slight breeze in the teens really robbed my set up. So I learned to lower my tarp closer to the ground, orient my hang so the ends weren't pointing directly into the wind.

I can't put my finger on it right now but PeterPan at JRB posted a really good item in the Forum about sleeping warm. You might search for his post. It was a good one.

Good luck. I used to live in the mountains west of Asheville, NC. They are beautiful places in the winter but cold sometimes.

[hangnout]

Keep it simple and safe. Use one of the pads to supplement your current UQ. The pads should be enough by themselves for most people. Putting something between the UQ and hammock may help but more than likely will create other problems that will be hard to fix in the middle of the night.

BTW don't over dress for sleep. If you sweat it will be a long miserable night. I start out with the bare basics and a hat to regulate then add as needed during the night.

[TominMN]

Putting something between the UQ and hammock may help but more than likely will create other problems that will be hard to fix in the middle of the night.

I agree. I'd say if you're going to supplement an UQ, use an UQP to hold up whatever you choose. That way the UQ will hug the hammock in the way that it's intended. CCF pads can add insulation but they are a vapor barrier also, like Reflectix, so be aware of that aspect.

[Campdavid]

Windshield reflective thing. Very light, rolls up easily and keeps a good shape for coverage. Put it between you and the UQ that's what I do with my PLUQ. Oh and a big +1 on the hand warmers. Put them in your sleeping bag about 30 mins before you go to sleep....nice and warm!

[hanginyaker]

all good ideas and done forget to eat like a pig before bed

[olddog]

Pellon insulfleece will get you 10°-15°of extra warmth. It is a fleece coated, perforated space blanket. The perforations prevent the vapor barrier effect. Bulky but not as bulky as a pad would be. I just place a 2 yd. piece between the hammock and UQ. You can find it at most fabric stores and even Walmart if they have a fabric dept.

http://www.pellonprojects.com/produc...-insul-fleece/

[PreciousPixie]

Great ideas guys. I am a pretty new hanger and like the idea of using things that I already have with me. A Nalgene bottle and space blanket are right up my alley. I also have a UQP that I use that adds a good amount of warmth which I carry.

[dudeman_atl]

Below 20F I'd start looking at vapor barrier clothes.
You can stack quilts too.