This is a method of using plain old down or synthetic insulation to virtually guarantee warmth in a gathered end hammock. It is the Pod approach, as used in the now defunct, but IMHO wonderful, Speer Pea Pod and Polar Pod. But, since no one will manufacture those anymore, perhaps as there is no demand, this thread is about a simple DIY way of accomplishing the same thing. I.E. converting the sleeping bag you probably already own into a pod.
I was recently going over some of Shug's OLD threads. And I got a big kick when watching one to realize/remember that Shug had given me my only 5 seconds of fame ever! As I was watching this 10 year old video of Shug being toasty warm at minus 16F after lowering the total insulation from what he had used in earlier experiments, I suddenly was reminded at 10:40 into the video that he had given Fourdog, McEntyre and me a shout out for being the advocates of the Pea Pod that led him down this path. "Fourdog is the proponent of the Pea Pod, BillyBob is the potentate of the Pea Pod, and McEntyre is the bearded man of the Pea Pod". Well, let me say 10 years later: you are welcome, Shug, and thanks for the shout out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_R5yH0rNMw
So, what is it that Shug has been known to do, which seems to guarantee his warmth at minus 16F and in another video even at minus 40F? Well, he does not use an augmented 20F Speer Pea Pod like I used to do, but he rigged up the equivalent using what he already had on hand. Which is to say: a lightly modded(with a bit of shock cord added to the ends of it) 20F rated sleeping bag wrapped around his hammock. This forms the base "Pod". It is this bag which does what pods do better than most other hammock systems: provides a draft free approach, just as draft free as being in a zipped up mummy bag on the ground. But with the comfort of a hammock with TQ/UQ combo. But it is as though you had the UQ/TQ combo but did not have to worry about drafts that might sneak in when you roll around in your sleep, or about drafts sneaking in the foot end of an imperfectly adjusted UQ, or an adjustment that seems to change whenever you change positions.
One probable negative to this approach is that - especially with wider/deeper hammocks - the sides of the hammock can lift the top side insulation up off of my torso, leaving a potentially cold gap, as well as leading to warm air escaping from whatever sized face vent I might be using. But, this was not much of a problem with my narrow Claytor No Net hammock, and I would often fill any gaps by layering puffy clothing on top of me rather than wearing them in the normal fashion. Or better yet, add a 20 to 50F quilt to fill that gap. Now, the top(and/or bottom) insulation is 4 to 5" thick, rather than 2.5", and good to below zero. The TQ filling the gap is additive to the loft of the pod(i.e. the bag) And still draft free.
But I think another advantage as far as back warmth goes was support on the top side along the full length, once it is Velcroed or zipped closed. It is not just supported by the suspension added to the ends, if any, but by the sides of the hammock on both sides. This provides great support for the pod's bottom insulation AND any insulation that is placed between your back and the pod. You have heard of UQ clips? Used to attach your quilt to the hammock or it's RL in a place or 2? This is like quilt clips running continuously for the full length of the hammock.
So, Shug's approach: At minus 16F, a partial length 30 to 40 degree (Frankenquilt) UQ suspended in the normal way under the hammock. A "summer" TQ (30F rated? 40F?) inside the hammock to be placed over your top side. Or, at minus 40F, replace those with equivalent zero rated TQ and partial length UQ. Now, add a 20F WM sleeping bag wrapped around ALL of that and zipped up. Bingo, a pod very warm and draft free to way below zero in both cases.
For milder temps, say 10 or 20F, use a lighter sleeping bag for the pod, say a 40F or 50F. And or use lighter UQs(full length or partial) and TQs. Warmer still? Leave the UQs and TQs at the house. Just add puffy clothing if any thing is needed. Or, a pad can be added under the hammock, inside the pod. I have used all of these techniques over the years. For example, in one of my 1st tests of my 20F Speer Pea Pod, at +10F, I added a 2-3 oz space blanket between hammock and pod, and a 40-50F synthetic liner bag inside the pod. Nice and warm all night.
So, are you not warm enough with your 20F quilts at 30 or 40F? And considering buying warmer quilts or some other quilt rating in order to stack over or under your current quilts? Well, that is one approach that will work. But another is: do you already have a sleeping bag? Even a very light, maybe a 40F or 50F one? Especially a wider, longer bag? if you have a ridge line, can you disconnect it at least long enough to wrap a bag around the hammock? If so, it might make for a worthwhile experiment. It might even work as well as or better than buying new quilts and/or stacking them. If you have time and materials on hand to do this, prepare to be warm and draft free!
Bookmarks