So I have been hammock camping now for several years. All DIY gathered end Hammocks. My camping takes place strictly 2-3 season. I have two Underquilts one DIY IUX underquilt and a Jarbride from Arrowhead. I am still wrestling with getting my adjustments right on the my underquilts. When nights are in tthe 50-60f range adjustments aren't quite as important. On a recent section hike I had a night where my 25f degree jarbridge was giving me a hint of CBS at about 40 degrees. The following night was a warmer but I also deployed a bugnet with shockcord around the bottom. That seemed to make the Jarbridge seem so much warmer. The shock cord may have helped the UQ seal up better to the bottom of my hammock.
I am a cold sleeper and thought maybe I need something with more insulation like a Hammock Gear Phoenix 20f but looking back it seems that maybe I am still having adjustment issues. I have used the UQ with the triangle thingies and without. It definitely seems better with the triangle thingies. I have also found out that there are two sizes of triangle thingies I have the ones that are roughly 12" on each side.
I slept out again the other night with temps around 40f and experienced the mild CBS, my backside getting just slightly cool. It wasn't uncomfortable but I was a bit worried. This was without the triangle thingies and just dutch quilt hooks on the stock suspension. I am using a hammock 10.5 ft long and 63" wide so maybe the suspension was loose. I was hoping that I could take this UQ to about 30f and maybe into the twenties with a sheet of reflectex.
Is there anyone else with a Jarbridge that can give me some tips or general advise on getting the UQ setup optimally?
I have intentions of hiking the AT sometime in the next couple of years and really want to do it with a hammock setup as it is just so much more comfortable for me at 61 years old. I am planning a 2 week section hike for 2021. I don't mind purchasing more gear if necessary but don't like to purchase something that I don't need. I also want to figure this out so that when I backpacking with my adult sons I can help them with their hammock setups. I am the gear junkie/supplier.
With my homemade UQ I had a really cold experience when the 40f under quilt was used in an unexpected 30f night. Till morning I was about frozen. I tried to get as much as possible of me onto my foot pad. I really don't want to spend another night like that it was truly miserable. I didn't know how cold I was till I got out and began hiking. My son was sleeping on a blue walmart pad in his hammock and was comfortably warm. After that experience I purchased the Jarbridge. I haven't pushed it into the 30's so I don't know exactly how it stacks up but I know it is significantly warmer.
Well so much for all my rambling. I am a frequent lurker here and have used ideas from Hammock Forums to make 7 gathered end hammocks and a cowboy bridge hammock. I have also made and IUX UQ and 2 hammock tarps (one silnylon and one silpoly). I have gained much valuable information here and thank everyone who contributes and helps us newbies.
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