How to deal with sweating?

[bigsig11010]

Ok I am a noob at hammock camping. Im using a diy double layer made of the grey crinkle taffeta material. At this point no net. I have used a ccf pad between the layers. Also working on diy underquilt.

My issue is that I sweat when I sleep. Doesn't matter where or how or on what. Even with little or no cover I sweat. What is the best way to deal with it in the hammock? I thought about maybe something breathable between me snd the ccf pad but I don't know what to use. Fleece light wool etc? Also what way to vent

[dkurfiss]

I assume you are talking about sweating in winter temps. What I do is wear wicking clothing that will dry quickly. That means fleece or wool.

I have no clue how you would vent on the bottom with a CCF pad but you could certainly top vent by tossing the top quilt back.

[Shug]

Underquilt should help you stop sweating for sure)))))
More than likely the pad making you sweat and produce condensation/sweat/human gravy.
Carry forth.
Shug

[SilvrSurfr]

I also sweat like a pig year round. That ccf pad is going to create condensation, so do like Shug says and get a down UQ.

What are you using for a topquilt? I find that I sweat a lot more with synthetics than with down insulation.

[VictoriaGuy]

I also sweat like a pig year round. That ccf pad is going to create condensation, so do like Shug says and get a down UQ.

If you sweat 'no matter what' , then aren't we just talking about where that moisture will end up?
Alternatives: Moisture/condensation between the hammock and the pad
OR
Moisture/condensation IN the down underquilt
??
If you are usually out for one night only,(or if you can dry out your insulation in the sun during the day) it won't matter much if your down layer gets a bit damp. If you have a few days in a row of bad weather, it could get to be an issue, IMO.

My guess is that you wouldn't like the VaporBarrier clothing suggestion, and that only works well when it's quite cold, anyway...again, IMO.

[SilvrSurfr]

If you sweat 'no matter what' , then aren't we just talking about where that moisture will end up?
Alternatives: Moisture/condensation between the hammock and the pad
OR
Moisture/condensation IN the down underquilt
??

My theory is that down can easily handle the moisture from sweating - once your body warms up the lofted down, it's like an oven that dries out anything and everything. I even put damp socks in the hammock with me and they come out dry as a bone in the morning.

With a synthetic sleeping bag and pad, the moisture just builds up and builds up and there is no dissipation whatsoever.

[Pretbek]

Now that the experts have handled the technical solutions, here is a biological angle:
Eliminate your caffeine intake.
It makes you sweat much more and more quickly, in any situation.

The problem with this suggestion is that it doesn't mean "the night before", it means stop drinking coffee altogether. After a week or so you will see the positive results, but it is not a quick fix.

[VictoriaGuy]

My theory is that down can easily handle the moisture from sweating - once your body warms up the lofted down, it's like an oven that dries out anything and everything.

Well, it could happen that way- it depends on the dew point (temperature) and the temperature at the outside surface of your quilt. As long as all of your quilt is above the dew point, there won't be any condensation in your insulating layer. And, if your layers are very permeable to water vapor aka 'breathable' then the moisture will (still in vapor form) 'escape' from your insulating layer/quilt.

Altitude can affect this whole situation as well (though you won't be hanging in a hammock at serious altitude, I think). That's (one reason) why down works so well at high altitudes (>5000m) in the Himalaya, but isn't so popular in the Cascades or Coast Range in the PNW, in winter.

A few chilly nights in soggy down gear took care of my infatuation - you need to pick the right tool for the job.
YMMV.

[oldpappy]

I wrap my CCF pads in an old flannel sheet. The sheet is damp in the morning but the sleeping bag and myself are dry. The flannel (cotton) absorbes the condensation on the pad.
If you are wearing cotton underwear, the cotton will absorb and retain the sweat next to your skin making you chilly. If this is the case with you, try different materials next to your skin - get away from using cotton on your skin. Also, maybe study up on vapor barriers.

[darkbyrd]

When I did use a pad, I found it much more comfortable when I folded a synthetic blanket on top of it. I woke up a tangled mess, but I slept warm to the mid-30's like that.