Summer insulation

**pdizzle** · 11-10-2011, 08:29

Does anyone have any recommendations for a summer bottom or lack thereof? How feasible is it to travel without a pad during summer months (im thinking like 55-70º sleeping)? i have a ridgerest and an ozark trail walmart thing. The problem is even last night, temps at about 45, i woke up with a reallllly sweaty back. during the summer when its more humid and warm, i know this will be more of a problem. Currently have a JRB 25-30º top quilt as well, any top insulation recommendations are welcome as well.

Thanks!

**Southpaw** · 11-10-2011, 08:34

I always have a sweaty back on a pad, but I can't sleep without some sort of insulation even at 70. You might consider a Clark hammock with the pockets and weather shield it sleeps a little warmer than other hammocks.

**lazy river road** · 11-10-2011, 08:38

I had Stormcrow (Adam) over at Hammock Gear make me a custom TQ/UQ set rated down to 50 specifically for summer. Check out my thread

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=40763

for more details.

**ShadowAlpha** · 11-10-2011, 08:40

Originally Posted by pdizzle

Does anyone have any recommendations for a summer bottom or lack thereof? How feasible is it to travel without a pad during summer months (im thinking like 55-70º sleeping)? i have a ridgerest and an ozark trail walmart thing. The problem is even last night, temps at about 45, i woke up with a reallllly sweaty back. during the summer when its more humid and warm, i know this will be more of a problem. Currently have a JRB 25-30º top quilt as well, any top insulation recommendations are welcome as well.

Thanks!

Below 70 you are going to want something under you.

I'm in NW GA & during june this yr it was bordering 70 for low at night w/ light winds - had been very humid - I used a hammock sock.

"The problem is even last night, temps at about 45, i woke up with a reallllly sweaty back."

the pad you were on last night if not breathable -- is it possible condensation built up? or if you are getting warm - try to move it slightly to vent it a little

for summer TQ I made a DIY with very little down. even on a 70* humid night - I threw it next to me or over my legs.

Hammockgear has a summer quilt many seemed to like this summer

**pellet gun** · 11-10-2011, 08:49

I use a DIY poncho liner UQ. Works great, I keep it to the side until I get nippy, then just deploy it. it's not as light as most UQs, but the price was right!

**FLRider** · 11-10-2011, 08:49

At 60 and above, I've had no problems without under insulation. However, I sleep extremely warm (sleeping bag ratings are usually about 10-15 degrees too conservative for me). Most folks should be good around the 70 range.

However, if you carry a low-loft synthetic topquilt or sleeping bag, you should be able to tuck it under you for warmth enough at 60 and above. I've done so with the poncho liner I use as a topquilt occasionally when it's down in the 50s, and I've yet to be disappointed.

As always, the usual acronyms apply.

**pdizzle** · 11-10-2011, 09:59

I guess i'm thinking summer in the whites..so that can be pretty variable depending on the day and elevation. probably from anywhere 70-40 if i get really screwed, i was being optimistic. I'm probably of the same make as you FLrider - i tend to sleep very warm. I tried sleeping with the JRB quilt and just a space blanket under me at ~35-40º, i was warm enough but there was a distinct temperature gradient from the top to bottom half of my body that made me really uncomfortable. my but was an icicle and my stomach was sweaty--not fun.

how do he poncho liners do in terms of weight? the gram counter in me has had me looking at gossamer gear thinlight pads, probably .25-.125" for the summer months, more just to stop the wind and put a little something between me and the hammock more than anything. @ 13oz max for 40" wide .25 which i would cut down thats hard to beat, i feel like the R value hardly matters. (or 3oz max for the 20"x.125). anyone have any idea how these pads fare? i came across this:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...thread_id=5464

3/8" = ~1.36
1/4" = ~.90
1/8" = ~.45

but i dont really know how r-values compare for hanging in terms of temp reccomendations

**bigbamaguy** · 11-10-2011, 10:05

pdizzle:
Have you thought about a insultex UQ that has removable layers. Check out diygear.com for the plans on how to build one as well as a great guy to purchase the materials you need to make one........

**pdizzle** · 11-10-2011, 10:26

bigbamaguy:
what is this insultex material? from reading their website it sounds like a miracle at .5mm and only .42oz/sqyd. the only drawback is that it says its impermeable, so does it really work out to be much different than a ccf pad besides the lack of wrestling?

For the winter, i like the idea of this MUCH better than a down underquilt, however. have you used one of these yourself?

**bigbamaguy** · 11-10-2011, 10:48

Yes I have used Insultex in a UQ. I used it as a supplement to one of my KAQ New River UQ's when the temps were to be below freezing. I also used one layer by itself into the upper 50's during a trial period last year. I had no condensation issues and will probably look into making several UQ's this next year. The only issues that I have found with the insultex does not compress like other insultation materials and it needs to have a outer layer of ripstop to keep the material from snagging on things. It is more of a roll and fold type material to get it packed down.

Presently for my winter gear set-up I have a Hammockgear.com custom sized 20* Incubator, a JRB Hudson River down TQ. I was not at first a down fan, but I have come to appreciate the packability and warmth from these items.