Goalkeeper31
12-27-2004, 13:38
OK, so after much reading and a few experiments in the backyard, I ordered a 3-season set from Jacks R Better. Here are my impressions and a question or two after two nights of trials:
For clarification, I have both HH Ultralight Backpacker and UL Explorer. I used the Explorer both nights this time around.
I got the 3-season set from JRB which includes the Nest (which is designed primarily as an underquilt), the No Sniveler (primarily as top quilt), a stuff sack (I got a bonus one as well from a special holiday offer on the JRB website), the suspension system (for attaching the underquilt - no hammock mods necessary), and Python Skins (sil-nyl tubes for packing the hammock and underquilt). I have no connection with JRB and paid the price stated on the website. I will attempt to describe and post my questions about each in turn.
Nest: This is pretty much what folks around here say it is, which is really quite good. I had tried to clothespin a comforter to the bottom of the hammock and tried putting my Therm-a-Rest in the hammock in the past. I had decided that the underquilt idea was probably better. Having this underquilt from JRB which is lighter and fits MUCH better than my comforter experiment made a HUGE difference for the better.
The Nest looks to be of high quality in materials and workmanship and the multi-functionality makes good use of its ~20 oz. (I have not personally weighed it - weights are from JRB website). I did have a couple of cold spots and tried to adjust the fit and down placement as described in the product info on the hang tag and the website. This mitigated things, but I was not able to eliminate the cold spots entirely. I was testing at the lower limits as stated on the website as the temps were unusually cold for Arkansas winter at about 28 degrees F. On the second night, I added a space blanket between the underquilt and the hammock and this helped. The temp was about the same. I was wearing wool socks, a T-shirt and cotton sweat pants both nights. I also napped in the hammock one afternoon (when temps had come up into the middle forties) and was totally fine - quite toasty in similar clothing with no cold spots.
No Sniveler: This is much the same as the Nest with a few minor differences, the most noticeable being the addition of the velcro-sealable neck hole in the middle. This allows one to wear the quilt as a down-filled poncho-type coat. It is very warm worn this way and would probably be best suited to being worn while eating or sitting around camp as any activity would generate lots of heat and I wouldn't want to risk damaging the quilt while doing chores or anything.
It works quite well as an overquilt while sleeping. The footbag configuration works as advertised, too. Very versitile piece of equipment for the same approximate weight as the Nest, which is ~20 oz.
Stuff Sack: It took me an attempt or two to really get the best compression out of these sacks, but once I did, they can really get either quilt down to a small size. The sacks look well-made also. What else can one say about a stuff sack?
Python Skins: These function very similarly to the "Snake Skins" offered by Hennessey. These are of a larger diameter, however.
They are two Sil-Nyl tubes about 1 inch diameter on one end and increase to 4.5 inches in diameter on the other. Each is long enough so that one skin can cover each half of the rolled-up hammock. Rolling the hammock and quilt and tarp so that the resulting bundle is small enough for the skins to slide over takes some practice, but can be done if remembering to "bias the roll away from the center" (as Shane Steinkamp says - see http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/hhsnakes.htm).The hammock support ropes, one on each end (on a HH) are fed through the skins. You simply push them back onto the ropes when hanging the hammock. A pic is worth more than my best description: http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/Products%20List_files/Snake%20Skins.htm
Summary: I guess my only questions about the whole set would center around the adjustment of the underquilt. Perhaps others could help by relating experiences with underquilts, perhaps even with the Nest in particular. For instance, how does one know if the UQ is positioned too tightly under the hammock. How loose is right and how loose is too loose? I ask these because I had the UQ drawstrings tightened pretty well and the shock cords moved several inches up the ropes from the hammock knots after starting the cords at the knots. I *may* have had it too tight under the hammock.
Thanks to everyone here for posting in the past. The information here is very helpful and since it comes from fellow hikers, it is free of marketing fluff.
Smee and Peter Pan of JRB were very helpful and their turnaround was great in the ordering and shipping times. I recommend them and their products to any hammockers looking to warm up.
Thanks for reading.
Mike Sims
For clarification, I have both HH Ultralight Backpacker and UL Explorer. I used the Explorer both nights this time around.
I got the 3-season set from JRB which includes the Nest (which is designed primarily as an underquilt), the No Sniveler (primarily as top quilt), a stuff sack (I got a bonus one as well from a special holiday offer on the JRB website), the suspension system (for attaching the underquilt - no hammock mods necessary), and Python Skins (sil-nyl tubes for packing the hammock and underquilt). I have no connection with JRB and paid the price stated on the website. I will attempt to describe and post my questions about each in turn.
Nest: This is pretty much what folks around here say it is, which is really quite good. I had tried to clothespin a comforter to the bottom of the hammock and tried putting my Therm-a-Rest in the hammock in the past. I had decided that the underquilt idea was probably better. Having this underquilt from JRB which is lighter and fits MUCH better than my comforter experiment made a HUGE difference for the better.
The Nest looks to be of high quality in materials and workmanship and the multi-functionality makes good use of its ~20 oz. (I have not personally weighed it - weights are from JRB website). I did have a couple of cold spots and tried to adjust the fit and down placement as described in the product info on the hang tag and the website. This mitigated things, but I was not able to eliminate the cold spots entirely. I was testing at the lower limits as stated on the website as the temps were unusually cold for Arkansas winter at about 28 degrees F. On the second night, I added a space blanket between the underquilt and the hammock and this helped. The temp was about the same. I was wearing wool socks, a T-shirt and cotton sweat pants both nights. I also napped in the hammock one afternoon (when temps had come up into the middle forties) and was totally fine - quite toasty in similar clothing with no cold spots.
No Sniveler: This is much the same as the Nest with a few minor differences, the most noticeable being the addition of the velcro-sealable neck hole in the middle. This allows one to wear the quilt as a down-filled poncho-type coat. It is very warm worn this way and would probably be best suited to being worn while eating or sitting around camp as any activity would generate lots of heat and I wouldn't want to risk damaging the quilt while doing chores or anything.
It works quite well as an overquilt while sleeping. The footbag configuration works as advertised, too. Very versitile piece of equipment for the same approximate weight as the Nest, which is ~20 oz.
Stuff Sack: It took me an attempt or two to really get the best compression out of these sacks, but once I did, they can really get either quilt down to a small size. The sacks look well-made also. What else can one say about a stuff sack?
Python Skins: These function very similarly to the "Snake Skins" offered by Hennessey. These are of a larger diameter, however.
They are two Sil-Nyl tubes about 1 inch diameter on one end and increase to 4.5 inches in diameter on the other. Each is long enough so that one skin can cover each half of the rolled-up hammock. Rolling the hammock and quilt and tarp so that the resulting bundle is small enough for the skins to slide over takes some practice, but can be done if remembering to "bias the roll away from the center" (as Shane Steinkamp says - see http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/hhsnakes.htm).The hammock support ropes, one on each end (on a HH) are fed through the skins. You simply push them back onto the ropes when hanging the hammock. A pic is worth more than my best description: http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/Products%20List_files/Snake%20Skins.htm
Summary: I guess my only questions about the whole set would center around the adjustment of the underquilt. Perhaps others could help by relating experiences with underquilts, perhaps even with the Nest in particular. For instance, how does one know if the UQ is positioned too tightly under the hammock. How loose is right and how loose is too loose? I ask these because I had the UQ drawstrings tightened pretty well and the shock cords moved several inches up the ropes from the hammock knots after starting the cords at the knots. I *may* have had it too tight under the hammock.
Thanks to everyone here for posting in the past. The information here is very helpful and since it comes from fellow hikers, it is free of marketing fluff.
Smee and Peter Pan of JRB were very helpful and their turnaround was great in the ordering and shipping times. I recommend them and their products to any hammockers looking to warm up.
Thanks for reading.
Mike Sims