I've had my hammock going on three weeks now and had it out in the wild last night for the first time. Prior use in the backyard to get familiar with hanging. I couldn't quite get comfy on the Thermarest, so I chucked it out of the hammock since it was about 70 degrees when darkness fell. You know where this is going.....
It was definitely not 70 at 4am when I woke up cold across my shoulders and kidneys. The best I can tell from NOAA it dipped to about 50 degrees. Top of my body was plenty warm under a 40 degree quilt wearing light weight long johns. I pulled the Thermarest back in and finished out the night but the air mattress is certainly clunky for a big guy to get centered on. I'm ready to commit to an UQ (as members here suggested in my very first post!) and ditch the pad.
I'm in NY. Most use will be in the Lower Hudson Valley, Catskills. I'm 6 ft 2 inches. I'm a warm sleeper (always want a window open). I don't plan to go into deep winter. My first impulse was to go with a 20 degree full length UQ, but wonder if that is overkill for the season. I might have been roasting in that for most of the night last night. Now I'm thinking 40 degree 3/4 length to save some weight and bulk.
Caveat is that the UQ has to extend to my low back. When my kidneys get cold, I'm up all night watering the landscape.
Will purchase from HG because I have their hammock, customer service and turn around time is excellent. I don't have a strong opinion about Econ versus regular. I wouldn't mind saving some weight but it's not a lot of weight to begin with.
Bring on the feedback! I know there are many NY and NJ folks here, anxious to hear your suggestions on where to start.
Thank you.
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