4season insulation system

**noodlemom1** · 10-26-2023, 08:11

I recently bought the 4 season supershelter from their odds and ends sale. Interestingly it now comes in a compression sack and is labeled 4 season insulation system, not "supershelter."
I have a few questions if anyone can help.

In the past I've used an R2.8 mat inside the hammock. Can I expect the supershelter to keep me warmer - or is the main benefit that it won't be moving around on me?
With just the mat, it went down to 5 C/ 41 F. With my 0 Celcius sleeping bag, I was chilly, but still slept well - better than the tenters

For colder weather - is it better to add an extra layer on top, or add insulation underneath. Obviously a colder rated sleeping bag would be nice. But not in the budget for now.

If I want to add the mat for extra insulation - should I sleep directly on it, or add it to the insulation system layer?

If you have any thoughts on any of this, it would be greatly appreciated!

**psyculman** · 10-27-2023, 04:19

If you are meaning the Hennessy "Super Shelter" system, there could be some considerable variables here, especially at your latitude.

As a long time Hennessy Super Shelter user, it has worked well, at below freezing temps, into the teens. But I have the original set up which is the full size grey open cell foam pad, torso pad, and kidney pad, which I sewed together into one. This grey foam combination is unfortunately not sold any more, I don't see why, it is the best as far as I'm concerned. It fits in between the Super Shelter undercover and hammock itself, and doesn't move around. I changed all my Hennesys to zippers, but the bottom entry worked pretty good too. It I have also tried a few different brands of insulated pads inside the hammock itself, also, they performed ok, but they move around. Never had any condensation issues. I sewed loops along the entire outside perimeter of all 3 of my Hennessys and have several different fabric/insulation combinations of various sizes to attach directly to the hammock without the Super Shelter.

In ANY temperature range usage though, I always need a sit pad, or something like it under my backside, summer or winter, something extra. It is never warm at night in the White mountains of New Hampshire, never.

**noodlemom1** · 11-21-2023, 16:47

Thanks. That was helpful. I'm in Ontario - so always have to bet on cold mornings!
I thought I would report back since I had a chance to try out the supershelter in similar weather. In 5C weather, I didn't find that the supershelter was a vast improvement over the mat. Yes, the mat moves around, but my mat is also 1/3 the size of the supershelter - so there are pros and cons to each. However I could definately see wanting both the supershelter and a mat in anything colder than that.
On this trip I had the luxury of camping with unlimited space so when it went down to -3C/ 27F , I opted for the supershelter and 2 sleeping bags (no mat). I was super snug all night long.
I think if I were to go back in time I would have upgraded the fly instead. I can't seem to get the asymmetrical fly to align perfectly in rain/wind - and a bit of water got into the supershelter layer.

**psyculman** · 11-22-2023, 10:01

Glad you like it. + on the super shelter & mat. You are right about the rain fly, its not adequate, maybe in summer with grantee of no steady rain. I have gotten by with it pitched very low against the ridge of the hammock, not strung out to the sides, just draping down.