Sleep System Choices - Overwhelmed!

[threeoten]

I'm a little bit overwhelmed while looking around for sleep systems for my hammock. I was wondering if maybe some of you can give me some tips. I want to do some extended traveling and will be using my hammock frequently. I don't intend to be staying in any places below freezing. My main aim is light weight/little bulk. What is going to be the lightest and most effective? I was looking at some of the enLIGHTened TQ's. Would these basically require that I use a sleeping pad along with it?

[RootCause]

I want to do some extended traveling and will be using my hammock frequently. I don't intend to be staying in any places below freezing. My main aim is light weight/little bulk. What is going to be the lightest and most effective?

Prepare for sleeping in your hammock as you would for sleeping on the ground. you need insulation both over you and under you.

Ground:
TOP- Sleeping bag over you.
BOTTOM- Insulating pad under you. (The bottom part of your sleeping bag is squished, providing no insulation value, that's why you need the pad.)

Hammock:
TOP- sleeping bag, blanket, quilt, sheet, or nothing. Depending on the temperature and your preference, any of these will work for you.
BOTTOM- a foam pad just in ground sleeping, or an underquilt will work for you.

This is where it gets harder to make decisions. HOWEVER, to boil down all the threads on this topic: the material that will provide you (generally, arguably) the best combination of light weight/low bulk is goose down. The higher fill power, the better.

The cottage manufacturers who frequent this board make excellent products. There are a lot of them. Good luck choosing.

I was looking at some of the enLIGHTened TQ's. Would these basically require that I use a sleeping pad along with it?

Yep, either a sleeping pad in the hammock, or an underquilt will be needed if nighttime temps will be below about 70*F.

[Boothill]

My main aim is light weight/little bulk. What is going to be the lightest and most effective?

i highly recommend a top quilt and bottom quilt

best insulation for the weight, packs down small, and also the most comfortable, imo

but there can be some $ involved going this route

boot

[MAD777]

Sounds like you want a down top quilt and a down under quilt.
Just think of it as two halves of a sleeping bag that encloses you and the hammock.

Look at the sub-forums labeled "top insulation" and "bottom insulation"

[threeoten]

Sounds like you want a down top quilt and a down under quilt.

Why this over a top quilt and a sleeping pad?

[RootCause]

Why this over a top quilt and a sleeping pad?

I think we're all keying off of your original post for "light weight" and "little bulk". A 1/2-length or 3/4-length underquilt (UQ) will usually pack smaller than a ccf sleeping pad.

[threeoten]

I came across this one. It sounds like a suitable TQ for the price, no?
http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/prodigy.htm

[Dblcorona]

Can't say anything bad that Tim at enlightened makes but If I'm looking for light and packed small, I would go with down.

at 14.5oz and small
http://www.hammockgear.com/cart/inde...&products_id=1

11.7oz UQ
http://www.hammockgear.com/cart/inde...&products_id=8

10oz UQ
http://tewaunderquilts.webs.com/apps...s/show/1485706

16oz TQ
http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm

just some stuff to look at.
Also I find that using an UQ is a lot more comfortable IMO.

[Raul Perez]

Theeoten,

Your height and width will really determine what kind of top quilt you will get as well as weight/bulk.

I know I've been pimping my blog lately but I made it to summarize all I've learned on hammock camping for those in need. You can check it out here I talk about top and bottom insulation near the middle:

http://watermonkey.net/hammock-camping/

But I still defer to hammockforums.net for all my up-to-date innovations and awesome helpful people.

I have a very compact and lightweight system. Also check out my gear list (videos) on that blog to help you out with any ideas on how to go lighter.

My best,

Water Monkey

[threeoten]

...but If I'm looking for light and packed small, I would go with down.

So, I read that down material can absorb perspiration and lose its effectiveness. Also, when it's not being used it will be super compressed in my pack for long periods of time. I've heard this can degrade it's effectiveness as well.