Hammock with New Pad and New Bag - WhiteBlaze

volleypc · 01-29-2009, 09:16

I have used my HH for years but mainly in fairly warm weather. Even at moderate temperatures there were times that I had to add more clothes or sleep with a couple of hand warmers because I would get the chills. I love sleeping in the HH so wanted to find an econimical way to make it doable in cold weather. I ended up buying two of the blue sleeping pads from Wal-Mart and upgrading my sleeping bag to a Campmor 20 w/ a silk liner. I also purchased a lightweight tarp that provides a little more shelter than the tarp that came with the HH.

I knew it was supposed to be in the mid twenties last night so I figured it would be a great time to test it. I should mention that I was wearing the micro fleece top and bottom that I bought to sleep in while on the trail so the conditions would be simular. Long story short, after spending 30 minutes or so in the bag I was burning up. I finally ended up taking my socks off, unzipping the bag, and just sleeping on the pads. I had the bag laying on top and wrapped around my feet.

I will say that it took some time to get onto the pads and get situated. I think next time I may put the bag on before climbing in the hammock. If I had it to do over again I would probably go with a rectangular bag in lieu of the mummy just because the extra room would make it easier to get situated.

I was really concerned about using the hammock in cold weather but now I guess I am going to have to find something else to be concerned about. In case your interested, the two pads at Wal-Mart were about $14 each. The tarp at the army supply store was $14, and the campmor sleeping bag was $139 and another $50 I believe for the liner.

Red Hat · 01-29-2009, 09:49

So did you get the 24 inch wide pads or the 20 inch pads? I debated about them, mostly because it seems like the 24 inch ones would be a pain to carry. Did you put one pad on top of the other or one beside the other? I am thinking about an evazote pad from Gossamer Gear... I just know my 3/4 length therma rest isn't going to do it in my hammock...

Grinder · 01-29-2009, 10:15

I have a full 24 inch blue pad and a 48 inch section (might be 36 in.??). I have a zhammock type DIY hammock.

I criss-cross the pads. this gives me two layers under my torso. The edges of the cross ways piece eliminate the cold spots on the sides

I also use a DIY gearskin type pack, wherein the pads are the body/frame of the pack. Things would be kind of bulky with a conventional pack system.

Grinder

Tinker · 01-29-2009, 11:06

In the winter you don't need the bug netting on the HH. Climbing in from the foot section is such a pita when using pads inside the hammock that I finally decided to give the ol' cheapo top entry hammock a try. I tried it with pads, adopted a section from a Stephenson Warmlite sleeping bag as an underquilt, and finally arrived at the conclusion that you can merely thread the hammock through any sleeping bag with a zipper around the foot, hang the hammock, climb in, and pull bag up over you. With a tarp it makes complete protection from the elements. Sasquatch took a few pictures of my winter setup and posted them on Whiteblaze.
Here's one: http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/show...searchid=21175

locorogue · 02-01-2009, 02:23

Why not try a survival blanket. Shed the extra lbs, save some loot. I use a military type, with ripstop nylon. i consider this an essential item. aside from the obvious warming qualities, you can use this as a shelter, water gatherer, etc. if you'd like me to expound, let me know.

volleypc · 02-01-2009, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Hat

So did you get the 24 inch wide pads or the 20 inch pads? I debated about them, mostly because it seems like the 24 inch ones would be a pain to carry. Did you put one pad on top of the other or one beside the other? I am thinking about an evazote pad from Gossamer Gear... I just know my 3/4 length therma rest isn't going to do it in my hammock...

I went with the 24 inch... I think target has 27 inch pads, but we do not have a target nearby. I do overlap by about 5 inches and everything seems fine. I could prob trim the corners a bit, but it works fine the way it is. thanks again...

WILLIAM HAYES · 02-01-2009, 19:53

look at the Jacks R Better setup it works for me

take-a-knee · 02-01-2009, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by WILLIAM HAYES

look at the Jacks R Better setup it works for me

Roger that, the 3-season set rocks! Get the JRB hood and you'll be toasty, I can take mine to 20 degrees.

01-29-2009, 09:16	#1
volleypc Registered User Join Date: 08-05-2008 Location: North Carolina View my gallery 4 My journals Posts: 81 Images: 4	Hammock with New Pad and New Bag I have used my HH for years but mainly in fairly warm weather. Even at moderate temperatures there were times that I had to add more clothes or sleep with a couple of hand warmers because I would get the chills. I love sleeping in the HH so wanted to find an econimical way to make it doable in cold weather. I ended up buying two of the blue sleeping pads from Wal-Mart and upgrading my sleeping bag to a Campmor 20 w/ a silk liner. I also purchased a lightweight tarp that provides a little more shelter than the tarp that came with the HH. I knew it was supposed to be in the mid twenties last night so I figured it would be a great time to test it. I should mention that I was wearing the micro fleece top and bottom that I bought to sleep in while on the trail so the conditions would be simular. Long story short, after spending 30 minutes or so in the bag I was burning up. I finally ended up taking my socks off, unzipping the bag, and just sleeping on the pads. I had the bag laying on top and wrapped around my feet. I will say that it took some time to get onto the pads and get situated. I think next time I may put the bag on before climbing in the hammock. If I had it to do over again I would probably go with a rectangular bag in lieu of the mummy just because the extra room would make it easier to get situated. I was really concerned about using the hammock in cold weather but now I guess I am going to have to find something else to be concerned about. In case your interested, the two pads at Wal-Mart were about $14 each. The tarp at the army supply store was $14, and the campmor sleeping bag was $139 and another $50 I believe for the liner. __________________ My blog http://timeoutdoors.blogspot.com/

01-29-2009, 10:15	#3
Grinder Section Hiker NOBO to Hot Springs + Map 5 Maine Join Date: 10-12-2006 Location: winter haven, florida View my gallery 16 Age: 69 Year of thru-hike: never Posts: 743 Images: 16	I have a full 24 inch blue pad and a 48 inch section (might be 36 in.??). I have a zhammock type DIY hammock. I criss-cross the pads. this gives me two layers under my torso. The edges of the cross ways piece eliminate the cold spots on the sides I also use a DIY gearskin type pack, wherein the pads are the body/frame of the pack. Things would be kind of bulky with a conventional pack system. Grinder __________________ Grinder AT hiker : It's the journey, not the destination

01-29-2009, 11:06	#4
Tinker bivy pilot: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/237103382ByZIeG Join Date: 02-12-2004 Location: Warwick, R.I. View my gallery 75 Age: 57 Posts: 4,779 Images: 75	In the winter you don't need the bug netting on the HH. Climbing in from the foot section is such a pita when using pads inside the hammock that I finally decided to give the ol' cheapo top entry hammock a try. I tried it with pads, adopted a section from a Stephenson Warmlite sleeping bag as an underquilt, and finally arrived at the conclusion that you can merely thread the hammock through any sleeping bag with a zipper around the foot, hang the hammock, climb in, and pull bag up over you. With a tarp it makes complete protection from the elements. Sasquatch took a few pictures of my winter setup and posted them on Whiteblaze. Here's one: http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/show...searchid=21175 __________________ "I just walked. I was very happy." Bill Bryson Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which the Lord has prepared for them that love Him. I Cor. 2:9 Last edited by Tinker; 01-29-2009 at 11:11.. Reason: added link

02-01-2009, 02:23	#5
locorogue Registered User Join Date: 10-19-2007 Location: Santa Cruz Posts: 2	never mind me Why not try a survival blanket. Shed the extra lbs, save some loot. I use a military type, with ripstop nylon. i consider this an essential item. aside from the obvious warming qualities, you can use this as a shelter, water gatherer, etc. if you'd like me to expound, let me know. __________________ america, it's the place, not the people

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01-29-2009, 09:49	#2
Red Hat Join Date: 02-19-2003 Location: Texas View my gallery 1 My trailjournals.com Age: 63 Posts: 1,285 Images: 1	So did you get the 24 inch wide pads or the 20 inch pads? I debated about them, mostly because it seems like the 24 inch ones would be a pain to carry. Did you put one pad on top of the other or one beside the other? I am thinking about an evazote pad from Gossamer Gear... I just know my 3/4 length therma rest isn't going to do it in my hammock...

02-01-2009, 19:53	#7
WILLIAM HAYES Registered User Join Date: 05-14-2006 Location: Aiken south carolina View my gallery 10 Posts: 395 Images: 10	look at the Jacks R Better setup it works for me