Winter/Travel Sock

[ScottS]

For those of you that have and use a winter/travel sock, do you find them beneficial? The top quilts and underquilts I have are 20°. Am looking to add a liitle extra warmth without buying more quilts.

[cougarmeat]

ScottS, if you don’t need the all-around coverage of a sock, you could just use an underquilt protector (UQP). The sock will provide the most “extra” warmth but in the cold you’ll also want to mitigate condensation. So you leave it unzipped a bit to allow some airflow. I use the sock at home because we have street lights and neighbor’s lights shinning in my eyes. Both sock and UQP allow for less than perfect UQ setup (if you are switching between hammocks and UQ’s; if you have just one set, you can get that right, then it will always be right). They also protect when there is a wind shift and maybe allow for not so hunkered down tarp arrangements.

So yes, I find them beneficial. Others don’t. Just a preference; not a rule.

Remember, the sock or UQP is breathable - not waterproof. You’ll still want to carry a tarp.

[Big Sweets]

I'll never not use one, I love my winter sock so much I got a summer sock.

[Dublinlin]

I used to use a Warbonnet sock when winter camping and it really did help seal out the wind better than just using an underquilt protector and pitching my tarp low and snug. I didn’t like only being able to open it from one side, though, which is why I eventually quit using it.

[Rolloff]

I carry one of the UL UQPs. It's about the same cost and weight as doors on the same tarp. Better under-all protection IMO

[OverTheHill]

Several years ago I used a winter cover a couple of times. Not a fan. Too much internal condensation issues for me. I tried a couple of different ways of venting, not able to make it work for me. YMMV.

However, using it did reduce perceived wind chill noticeably, not sure about actual temp inside the hammock. But, waking up with a wet TQ kind of turned me off.
Decided I'd rather pitch my tarp tighter and buff up my UQ and TQ a little to compensate instead. A couple of years ago I did get a tarp with doors as well, it replaced a worn out cheap Amazon tarp and was well worth the money for me.