Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Hammock
    WB Blackbird
    Tarp
    Minifly/Superfly
    Insulation
    Wooki/Diamondback
    Suspension
    Becket hitch
    Posts
    14

    Trail Winder experiences

    I have a 40° Warbonnet Wooki and 20° Diamondback that I use with my Blackbird. I sleep hot and have taken that setup down to 40° and been totally comfortable. I decided this fall I really wanted to do some cold weather hammocking and saw recommendations all over for the SLD Trail Winder. I really like how the Wooki is set up for the asymmetrical insulation and the Trail Winder offers a similar concept. The price and modular possibilities made it a no-brainer for me, plus Jared turned it around super fast.

    I bought the 6.0 oz base and a 3.6 oz modular layer, which gets me a 20° rated base UQ that theoretically goes down to somewhere around 0° or slightly lower with the extra layer.

    I used just the 20° base layer sleeping in the 40s a few times over the past few weeks to try it out, and honestly was colder than with my 40° Wooki. I've been fiddling with the UQ suspension to try to eliminate any gaps and think I have it pretty dialed in now. Last night I added on the modular layer, for a combined 9.6 oz insulation layer, and it got down to 32. I slept ok, but my back wasn't exactly warm, and with that combination of insulation, I'd expect to be able to get down to at least 10 degrees or so without issues, but I don't think it's going to be adequate to even hit 20°.

    Does anyone with a Trail Winder get down to their expected temperature ratings? Am I expecting too much of the synthetic insulation? Any tips for a more effective setup?

    I have my side shock cord set so it pretty much envelopes the hammock fabric and have tightened up the head and foot suspension shock cord a decent bit so that insulation is hugging my body when I'm in the hammock.

  2. #2
    Senior Member rweb82's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Hammock
    DH Raven/Darien
    Tarp
    WB Mountainfly
    Insulation
    Loco Libre/HG/SLD
    Suspension
    Myerstech/Becket
    Posts
    1,578
    I had to fiddle with my TW a bit to get it dialed-in as well. Mine is the 40° version. I've only had it down to 45° and was still warm. But one thing to note about Apex vs. down is that you don't get that instant warmth like you do with down. It takes a bit longer for your body heat to radiate back. I'm not sure if I would stay as warm down to its temp rating like my Loco Libre quilts. Those things are beasts!

    All in all, I do really like the TW and it fits the bill nicely for the weather in which I use it.

  3. #3
    jakev383's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2020
    Location
    Henderson, TX
    Hammock
    Blackbird
    Tarp
    11' WB Superfly
    Insulation
    Wookie
    Suspension
    Beckett and EVOs
    Posts
    132
    I have a Trail Winder in 3.6oz as a base, with the 3.6 modular. I've used mine down to the low 30's so far and been quite comfortable. I spent a fair amount of time getting it set up right for me, which included me laying in it and my wife adjusting the suspension to make sure it was right.
    I'd agree with rweb82 - it takes a couple mins to warm up, and while I was quite comfortable but it did not feel like there was a heater under me like my down top quilt feels like.
    I did also modify my slightly - I added a couple D-rings to my hammock (two near my head, two near my feet) and matching hooks on the underquilt to keep it from moving around on me. I had a night or two where it had moved around on me and gave me a could shoulder or feet.
    According to the "chart" I should be able to push this to 10* I believe, but I honestly don't think that would be a comfort rating. I'd guess closer to 20 or 25 for comfort for me.

  4. #4
    chromedome's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Northern Michigan
    Hammock
    Dutch net less wide
    Tarp
    Superfly
    Insulation
    HG 20's / SLD TW
    Suspension
    Straps/no harware
    Posts
    317
    Quote Originally Posted by Bernardino View Post
    I have a 40° Warbonnet Wooki and 20° Diamondback that I use with my Blackbird. I sleep hot and have taken that setup down to 40° and been totally comfortable. I decided this fall I really wanted to do some cold weather hammocking and saw recommendations all over for the SLD Trail Winder. I really like how the Wooki is set up for the asymmetrical insulation and the Trail Winder offers a similar concept. The price and modular possibilities made it a no-brainer for me, plus Jared turned it around super fast.

    I bought the 6.0 oz base and a 3.6 oz modular layer, which gets me a 20° rated base UQ that theoretically goes down to somewhere around 0° or slightly lower with the extra layer.

    I used just the 20° base layer sleeping in the 40s a few times over the past few weeks to try it out, and honestly was colder than with my 40° Wooki. I've been fiddling with the UQ suspension to try to eliminate any gaps and think I have it pretty dialed in now. Last night I added on the modular layer, for a combined 9.6 oz insulation layer, and it got down to 32. I slept ok, but my back wasn't exactly warm, and with that combination of insulation, I'd expect to be able to get down to at least 10 degrees or so without issues, but I don't think it's going to be adequate to even hit 20°.

    Does anyone with a Trail Winder get down to their expected temperature ratings? Am I expecting too much of the synthetic insulation? Any tips for a more effective setup?

    I have my side shock cord set so it pretty much envelopes the hammock fabric and have tightened up the head and foot suspension shock cord a decent bit so that insulation is hugging my body when I'm in the hammock.


    Same issue with mine. Although I really really like it, I will probably have to order a heavier modular piece to get me down to the temps I want. The base and modular piece I have now should be good for 20 degrees, but I am pretty cool when in the mid to upper 30s.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Durham, NC
    Hammock
    DIY GE 12’ Hexon 1.6
    Tarp
    SLD Winter Haven
    Insulation
    CDT Gemini DIY
    Suspension
    Whoopi slings
    Posts
    109
    Images
    11
    I have 6.0 Apex TrailWinder (symmetrical). I sleep a little warm, and I’ve had this down to 25F comfortably. But early on I got cold at 35F. Here’s what I found with testing:

    For initial adjustment, I need to tighten the ends first, then climb in and tighten the side only slightly.

    If I have the shock cords on the end even a little loose and then tighten the sides a lot, it creates a gap under me.

    Also, I have to make sure I have the correct (shiny) side up, then tighten the ends to lift the hammock just a bit. Sometimes, I don’t even adjust the sides and sleep comfy. I find the side adjustment is most helpful on windier nights.

  6. #6
    New Member
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Hammock
    WB Blackbird
    Tarp
    Minifly/Superfly
    Insulation
    Wooki/Diamondback
    Suspension
    Becket hitch
    Posts
    14
    Really good feedback. It sounds like I should be able to still tweak this a bit to get closer to the rating, which is encouraging. It'll be 25° tonight so we'll see!

    And interesting comments about the slower heating vs the down instant heat. That's the one thing that struck me about down. I couldn't believe how quickly it warmed up when I first got my down UQ. That's not too important to me as long as I eventually get warm, but definite affects my perception of the synthetic.

  7. #7
    Did you ever get your TW dialed in and comfortable?

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    Montco, PA
    Hammock
    SLD Trail Lair
    Tarp
    WL Tadpole
    Insulation
    SLD TW/HG Econ
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    314
    My experience with a 20* TW vs a 20* HG Econ Incubator is that the HG is warmer. I've used both down to ~15-20 degrees on subsequent nights last February (paired with a 20* HG Econ Burrow) and was comfortable, but just a bit more comfortable with the Incubator. I attribute the difference to the baffling and the ability to more minutely adjust the suspension. With the TW, there were some cool spots (notably in the hind quarters), almost like the cold just seeped through the insulation.

    With temps above freezing and minimal wind, I've not noticed much of a difference. These are my go-tos based on conditions:

    > under 30* OR 30-50* and windy, HG Econ 20*
    > 30-50* and calm or just slightly windy, TW 20*
    > 50*+, TW 40*

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Anyone using a Trail Winder UQ?
      By jakev383 in forum Under Quilts
      Replies: 16
      Last Post: 11-01-2021, 21:09
    2. 20° Trail Winder
      By bulldawgcamp in forum Simply Light Designs
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 11-09-2020, 23:37
    3. FS: Simply Light Designs Trail Lair and Trail Winder Underquilts
      By Jimswms in forum [SOLD/WITHDRAWN] Items no longer available
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 09-29-2020, 06:15
    4. FS: SLD Trail Lair hammock - 10' length / HyperD 1.6 SL and Trail Winder UQ
      By Canadark in forum [SOLD/WITHDRAWN] Items no longer available
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 09-07-2020, 06:02
    5. FS: FS: SLD Trail Winder 20* UQ/P
      By jdy98p in forum [SOLD/WITHDRAWN] Items no longer available
      Replies: 12
      Last Post: 10-30-2019, 17:45

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •