Too much info to process

[person14]

Allright, I am going southbound in june and I will be using a hennessey ultralight hammock. I have read everything I could find on what to use to keep my backside warm and I cannot make up my mind what to buy.

I want to stay warm while in the hammock so a down underquilt along with sleeping bad and clothes should work. But, I also want to be able to sleep in a shelter or on the floor in a hostel, etc without being uncomfortable so I need some sort of underpad. Carrying a underquilt and a underpad is too much weight and not an option.

Sooo, should I buy an underquilt and just use sleeping bag and whatever to stuff under me in a shelter in an attempt to not lay on the hard floor or should I buy a Thermerest neo underpad to use in the hammock and on the floor? Will the thermerest pad keep me warm in my hammock?
Thanks in advance for the advice, you guys are great.

[couscous]

People on WB usually direct people with hammock questions to http://hammockforums.net/ - but I'm sure that often results in the "too much info to process" problem. Since it's rare to find two hammock users using the same hammock, suspension, tarp, top insulation, bottom insulation, etc. - you really have to focus just on what works for you. Sleep on a wood floor and learn how much padding you would need to sleep comfortably in shelters. (You probably also want to have a trash bag or polycro ground cloth to put underneath you in shelters.) Then test how well the same padding would work as insulation in the hammock. Using a bottom entry hammock is much different than a top loader, so it's helpful to use it in different conditions at home. If you find you would prefer a top loader, you could send it to 2Q ZQ (http://www.2qzqhammockhanger.com/zipmods.html) for a zipper modification where they sew the bottom slit closed and install side zippers.

[mountain squid]

'Too much info to process'

That is pretty much why I ended up buying a Tarptent (which I later upgraded to a Lunar Solo).

The whole hammock thing just became too complex to figure out. Coupled with the fact that there is no weight savings and I found out that I wasn't comfortable in a hammock anyway (maybe that should be 'Tripled with the fact . . .'). So, I believe, comfort is the major factor when considering to use a hammock. If you find out you are not comfortable then consider a lightweight tent instead.

And, as you stated, there might be times when you don't sleep in the hammock, making it necessary to carry a decent sleeping pad.

My post probably doesn't help you any. Just relaying that your thought process was pretty much the same as mine.

(By the way, I do also have a Hennessey Hammock.)

See you on the trail,
mt squid

some observations (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14493)

[fredmugs]

I do not have an underquilt and have always brought a sleeping bag for inside the hammock. There have been a few nights when I wish I was warmer - especially when the temps hit 40 and below. I only had a 40 degree bag though.

If you want the ability to stay in shelters I would go hammock, bag, and some type of pad.

[Trailryder42]

I'm going to use a WB Blackbird hammock, a 15* bag, and an underquilt for hanging. I'll also be carrying a Thermarest Z-lite short pad for when I find myself sleeping on a floor in a shelter. Or if I find myself camping on a Bald somewhere with no trees, I can pitch the my tarp and sleep on the ground under it.

[Slosteppin]

Sooo, should I buy an underquilt and just use sleeping bag and whatever to stuff under me in a shelter in an attempt to not lay on the hard floor or should I buy a Thermerest neo underpad to use in the hammock and on the floor? Will the thermerest pad keep me warm in my hammock?
Thanks in advance for the advice, you guys are great.

I've used a CCF pad in my Hennesy. I was warm enough at 30 F but my arms would get cold when I touched the sides of the hammock.

If I were to use a Neo in a hammock I would get the large size. It would be more comfortable than other pads and the extra width would keep my arms from getting cold. I have used my Neo and a quilt in a tent at 20 F and slept warm. I haven't thought about using the Neo in a hammock.

[Red Hat]

I used a Warbonnet blackbird with an UQ last year. I started with a pad, as well, but quickly got rid of it. A couple of times I put the UQ under me in shelters (not a comfortable as a pad, but doable)

[JaxHiker]

I use a SuperShelter with my Hennessy and have slept very well down to the low 20s (possibly into the teens). Then again, I have no desire to stay in a shelter.

[kayak karl]

you can't have it both ways unless you want to carry extra weight. 60 days (not whole trail) never went to ground and even at Chet's there were extra pads to use or the couch. many times i just hung it in the hostel yards or at shelters, close enough to shelter to socialize, but far enough away to not have to hear the group all night.

whatever you decide you are in perfect weather to test things out now. have fun:)

[SouthMark]

I use a hammock and an under quilt. I use carry a gossamer gear Nightlight torso pad at 2.5 oz. I t works as a sit pad, a nice pad for a nap at mid day and as a sleep pad in shelters. I did not carry it last year in the 100 mile wilderness and spent three nights in a shelter. I folded my rain fly under me with my under quilt and small sit pad under my hips. I slept fine and ad age 62 that is not an easy task.

[rjcress]

You might consider an Insultex under quilt and top quilt instead of down.
IX is closed cell foam, so it can get wet and be dried in the field far easier than down. It also provides some padding if you have to go to ground, although not much.
It is also incredibly light and compact.
Oh, and it is MUCH cheaper than down!

Here is the UQ that I made:
http://gear-report.com/how-to-make-a-diy-insultex-ix-underquilt-for-hammock-camping-myog/
(I have several other hammock articles on the site that you might find helpful)

Combine the IX UQ with an IX TQ and your whole top and bottom insulation is light, compact, able to insulate when wet, and can be used hanging or on the ground. I have a silk bag liner that I use with my IX TQ if I need another few degrees of warmth.
Here is a thread about the IX TQ that I made, and one that I'm making for a Hammockforums.net member:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29579