View Full Version : What's more important - top or bottom insulation?
Burkeman
06-28-2006, 17:15
Follow-up to my eariler post - what is the most important of these two in keeping warm? Probably opening up a can of worms here - whaddya think?
Burkeman
hammock engineer
06-28-2006, 17:25
I'll be the first to step into the line of fire. I think that bottom insulation to stop the convection from the wind is the most important.
No experience to back that up, but Ed Speer does put more insulation into the bottom of the PeaPods. I have always used the Arc Alpinist inside the hammock because it weights about the same and has a better designed footbox. When I have used the JRB 3 season set my feet get cold first, then the bottom.
JRB has a good price on the Shenandoah. If I were going to push the No Sniveller/Shenandoah combination to 3 season in Colorado I would use the No Sniveller as the underquilt.
Fiddleback
06-28-2006, 21:35
All my hammock experience ('cept one night) was with cold weather clothing without a sleeping bag or quilt. When I felt cool/cold, it was from underneath. I've been OK to the mid-20s and believe lowering that temp range is dependent upon better under insulation (pad).
I wouldn't use the word 'important' but 'difficult' regarding insulation. In my admittedly limited experience, it's been harder to stay warm from underneath than on top.
FB
Just Jeff
06-28-2006, 21:38
I'll say underneath, too. Every time I've been cold it was from underneath first. I think the hammock itself probably blocks some of the wind from blowing across the top quilt...that may account for at least some of the difference.
If I could only have one, it would absolutely be bottom insulation.
peter_pan
06-28-2006, 22:58
Ok...here comes the opposite view...
First is the issue to get adequate bottom insulation....whatever that might be...then since heat rises do everthing possible to kept the rising heat.
So if you have an inbalanced quilt set or under quilt and bag...put the thinner on the bottom assuming it is enough and the thicker on the top...
Now the crux....this thread is a follow on to Burkmans quest for inbalancing a Shenandoah and No Sniveller...The Shenandoah is a summer or two season 40-45 degree item....top or bottom it will not be adequate much below that level without other items fleece, insulated top etc.....below that the thicker No Sniveller should definately be the under quilt....As Jeff notes, a cold bottom or side almost always wakes one first....then take you chances with the Shenandoah on top...
If it was me below 40-45, with these quilts, I would not use the HH tie outs , opting for a closer wrap with the No Sniveller as a UQ, then double the shenandoah and lay it over me , use a jacket or some extra clothes in the foot area...
Actually I'd take a balanced Three Season Set.
Pan
PS....OTOH...."the birds in a nest don't use a top cover", not true they have down and readily puff up...also Mom w/wo puffing cover the eggs as necessary....the key is an adequate Nest, then puffy insulation as needed.
Just Jeff
06-28-2006, 23:54
Well said, Pan.
Burkeman, I don't think I'd consider the SUB as a reliable three-season for 10k in Colorado. I've seen it snow in daytime in June at 7258' (far, far above West Point or Annapolis) in Colorado. I'd go for at least the full three season set, and probably bring an insulated jacket or torso pad as backup.
sirbingo
06-29-2006, 11:53
I say bottom.
To little insulation on top will be uncomfortable...too little on the bottom and the heat loss will feel like the hammock is sucking the life out of you.
Just try sleeping on the bare earth on a cold night....thats what it feels like!
Follow-up to my eariler post - what is the most important of these two in keeping warm? Probably opening up a can of worms here - whaddya think?
Burkeman
:) both:cool: neo