Now for something totally different....

[mitch]

I have used leaves for insulation and ran into several condensation problems
as a result. First used in conjunction with a JRB nest in an attempt to
extend the temp rating. What i found was that leaves off the ground still
contain plenty of water even though they may feel bone dry to the touch.

Leaves straight off a branch, or still green will have you waking up in a
pool of condensation. fallen leaves weren`t nearly as bad, but the
white noise of shifting and moving around is almost unbearable. worse
than space blankets imho. My equipment was filthy dirty after just 2 nights.

I took a large amount of effort, to make little gains in insulation.

Hanging just a few inches off the ground and piling yourself in leaves would
take a huge pile of leaves to substitute for the insulation value of even a
summer rated underquilt.

Might be okay in a survival situation. But the end result is you get filthy,
you`re sleeping with untold bugs, its loud, takes much work, and will
likely leave you wet.

Not to disuade you. If you find some coping techniques please share.
I would be interested. I thought about using a VB liner and trying leaves
again, but havent got around to it. The biggest issue is how to combat
being wet.

I've been thinking about the noisy leaves that you brought up. When I camp on the ground, I always use leaves and have not noticed the noise. But I might be using them differently than you. What I do is gather up a good 2' of leaves, lay my tarp over them and compress. Now, my mound is down to a few inches, so I go get more to make it just right. It's like a thick mat. Maybe this is why it's not as bothersome. I then lay a wool blanket over the tarp. The leaves never touch my stuff, so no dirt. Any bugs are now crushed. As far as work goes, to me it's not, and if you’re cold it will warm you up. You don't have to work hard and fast, what's the hurry? Maybe 15 mins or so. I think that putting them in trash bags might be the way to go. It will keep them from shifting, and trap any bugs the survived the crushing.

[headchange4u]

ED Speer suggested to me to put the leaves in zip lock bag and then put them between the PP and the hammock. The extra weight of a few extra gallon sized Ziplock bags would be much at all for the benefit they could offer. Ziplocks are also a multi-use item.