COLD FEET!

[JasonACraft]

I was thinking: cold tolerance training! ....until that last post. I'd take a look at the AHE flame thrower socks...

[hariph creek]

Funny thing is, I used to be impervious to cold. Now I have to be real careful with my hands and feet. Plus take reasonable care of cold to my knees, elbows, and shoulders (arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, etc...).
Meanwhile, my torso and head are always overheated!

[airbud]

I too suffer from this condition, but haven't really tried anything other than wool socks. I've also had luck using a jacket or a sweatshirt as another "sock" to fit my topquilt into. I'm not really sure why it works, but it does.

[hariph creek]

Makes sense that that would help.

[PappyAmos]

You could try these REI Down Slippers or perhaps THESE from Arrowhead. I have the REI booties but rarely need them. Baggy wool socks usually does the trick for me.

Or - These Igneous Socks from Jeremy at Bonefire Gear (scroll down.) Made with CS Apex to match your desire to avoid down.

I had a bad time with cold feet until I started using a foam pad and some of Goosefeet Gear's down socks. Seeing you don't have a full length UQ, I think something like a foam pad to insulate the bottoms of your feet is just as important as overall insulation. Then adding a pair of Jeremy's Igneous Socks should finish the job.

[gringoperdido]

If insulated booties aren't doing it for you, might consider capsaicin (aka chili powder) lotion to rub on your feet (takes a while to get used to, have to start with small ammount and build up tolerance slowly - should do that at home - and have to make sure and wash hands afterwards). Should talk to your doc about it. Could also discuss other vasodilators such as Viagra which works well to increase peripheral blood flow.

[hariph creek]

PappyAmos, thank you for taking the time to read and address ALL the details. Those look exactly like what is needed. I am thinking a pair of fleece socks for below 70° and a something like those Igneous socks below 50° or so. When it gets down close to freezing? I have no desire to even be outside.
I may still look into DIY after top quilts made. We already have some scrap materiel and insulation as is. Kind of depends on whether I am the only one who wants them or the whole family? $50 is not bad. For $200, DIY becomes more appealing.

My underquilt has finished dimensions of 76" long by 50" wide. I made it a little wide since I have one of Dutch's wide Hexon hammocks, do not know if it is actually beneficial? This is measured flattened out without stretching tight. I am 6'-2" tall so this has 2" to spare. Plus throw in a diagonal lay and in theory I should have a full length underquilt.
We made my son's underquilt first (also 2" longer than his height), using grosgrain for his channels. That sucked to work with but his underquilt stays full length when hung. I attribute this to the stiffer nature of the grosgrain.
We used ripstop for the channels on mine and my wife's underquilts. When hung they compress, lengthwise toward the center. I am hoping that adding secondary suspensions will alleviate this.

[MattK]

hariph creek,

I think a secondary suspension will help tremendously as far as your UQ goes. Using CS Apex of the 6oz/sqyd variety, for a wide, full length UQ... that is a lot of weight. And yes, the ripstop channels will allow much more of an "accordion" affect than the grosgrain, though again with that heavy of an UQ, secondary suspension is still a good idea. Are you planning on using Linloc 3s at the corners? In my experience, that is a great secondary suspension, and very easy to adjust. I think that addressing UQ issues will also go a long way to helping your feet.

On the topic of the feets, I think you may want to look into a foot pad in general, even if you get your UQ up under them. This will just add one more layer in a sensitve area. I really like using a sit pad like this one from REI. Really warm, really comfortable (compared to a CCF pad) and just the right size. Plus, you then get a nice little seat around camp.

I personally use a set of Western Mountaineering Flash booties. But, with your aversion to down, those won't be the best option. You could definitely DIY a set of fleece booties/socks for yourself. I have done this and I really like them. Once you get a good pattern/fit with the fleece, you can use those to make yourself a set of synthetic Apex booties. Very similar to making your UQ, just smaller: use your leftover Apex and shell materials, use the fleece ones as a pattern, give yourself a decent seam allowance, and you will be cooking.

Stay warm my friend,

MattK

[PappyAmos]

PappyAmos, thank you for taking the time to read and address ALL the details. Those look exactly like what is needed. I am thinking a pair of fleece socks for below 70° and a something like those Igneous socks below 50° or so. When it gets down close to freezing? I have no desire to even be outside.
I may still look into DIY after top quilts made. We already have some scrap materiel and insulation as is. Kind of depends on whether I am the only one who wants them or the whole family? $50 is not bad. For $200, DIY becomes more appealing.

My underquilt has finished dimensions of 76" long by 50" wide. I made it a little wide since I have one of Dutch's wide Hexon hammocks, do not know if it is actually beneficial? This is measured flattened out without stretching tight. I am 6'-2" tall so this has 2" to spare. Plus throw in a diagonal lay and in theory I should have a full length underquilt.
We made my son's underquilt first (also 2" longer than his height), using grosgrain for his channels. That sucked to work with but his underquilt stays full length when hung. I attribute this to the stiffer nature of the grosgrain.
We used ripstop for the channels on mine and my wife's underquilts. When hung they compress, lengthwise toward the center. I am hoping that adding secondary suspensions will alleviate this.

The extra width is nice if you wish to place your legs in a figure 4. Keeps your knee covered by the UQ.

I have secondary suspensions on all my quilts for that reason. Makes quite a difference once adjusted. Does take some fiddling and very helpfull to have someone in the hammock while you do this. One of Shug's recent vids on YouTube covers this well.

Good luck,
Pappy

[hariph creek]

Pappy and MattK, thanks for the help. I am planning on using the Linloc 3s at the corners. Saw the same video from Shug, too. I have corresponded with Dutch, my one stop shop for all my DIY needs (and most everything hammock), and that is his recommended course of action as well.

I have a half of a .3" CCF sleep pad. It is my sit pad and stepping pad/pack ground barrier when in my hammock. I have tried using it as a foot pad. Meh, too fiddly and the bottom is perpetually dirty. I really do not move once I go to sleep in my hammock but, I do have to pee every hour or two. Kidneys not prostate, Doc is trying to figure of related to vascular issues. But, Doc says drink more water. So, I drink more water, and pee non-stop. Makes being a trick driver exciting! Thank goodness I am local.

I figured my extra wide hammock needed an extra wide underquilt to capitalize on that extra width. Not sure if it matters though?