Using leaves as insulation

**Crawldaddy** · 02-12-2016, 21:31

This may have been discussed, but I remember Ed Speer mentioning using leaves in addition to his PeaPod for added insulation under him. Im wondering if anyone has tried maybe to pack dry leaves into a 55 gal garbage bag and slipping it between a double bottom hammock? It seems like it would be an idea worth experimenting with. Has anyone tried this?

**oldbiker** · 02-12-2016, 21:55

I've read where some have hung low & piled leaves up under them but never between the layers.

Robert

**SilvrSurfr** · 02-12-2016, 22:03

Nothing wrong with leaves as insulation other than ticks, and sometimes there's this thing called rain that would mess up your insulation big time.

**BrRabbit** · 02-12-2016, 22:15

If you need an extra insulation, it must be pretty cold outside. And if it is cold, it must be snow on the ground. And if there's snow on the ground, it might be difficult to find dry and clean leaves under it.

**ocnlogan** · 02-12-2016, 22:30

I know several bushcrafty types that carry a few heavy duty contractors bags with them, and one of those purposes is for holding leaves like this as insulation. The idea is that if they get in a jam, they can pack one or two of those bags full of leaves, and survive. Other than the ticks that SilvrSurfr mentioned, I don't really see any problem with that. And if they are in trash bags, they shouldn't get your insulation wet. I wouldn't throw wet leaves between your hammock and your primary insulation though, as that would ruin your day pretty quick.

Also, for the record, debris shelters can actually be quite water tight, once a large enough base of leaves/debris is built up (they say usually roughly at least 6-8in).

I would be interested to hear how well this works though, as I've not actually gone out and done this yet. So if you do, please report back

.

**silentorpheus** · 02-12-2016, 22:32

Run a search, on HF or on google, for "Garlington Insulator" or "Garlington Taco".

Basically everyone seemed to stop talking about them or fussing with them once UQs started being readily available. I don't know that I ever remember reading about people stuffing things between the layers of a DL hammock, but definitely filling up UQP or the HH Supershelter with leaves and stuff.

**BrRabbit** · 02-12-2016, 22:47

Originally Posted by silentorpheus

Basically everyone seemed to stop talking about them or fussing with them once UQs started being readily available. I don't know that I ever remember reading about people stuffing things between the layers of a DL hammock, but definitely filling up UQP or the HH Supershelter with leaves and stuff.

There is a big gap between theory and practice and only few crossed that bridge

**scoutmom** · 02-12-2016, 23:30

I have hung low and piled leaves under me. Worked out pretty good. Not sure about stuffing them in layers. I had 6 inches of leaves under me for a 26* night with a 50* rated synthetic UQ. It did stop the wind.

**bkrgi** · 02-13-2016, 13:31

To me if your in that sort of pinch then fire will be your biggest asset

But hey some people just like to be different and push envelops

**BrRabbit** · 02-13-2016, 14:52

Originally Posted by bkrgi

To me if your in that sort of pinch then fire will be your biggest asset

But hey some people just like to be different and push envelops

In winter time, if I'm really expecting cold and need to improve my shelter with locally grown materials, I would use fir, spruce or pine tree branches (with the green needles), cut them off the tree and pile up on the ground, then lower my hammock (or get out of it altogether). And my tarp would have snow walls around.