CCF mat as post 33. Sometimes called a roll mat. It is a NON blow up mat, which has a smooth surface but a set foam inside. Even if a nail was driven in the cells are good so the foam cells are said to be closed.
It is, for me, an absolute requirement, otherwise my back and bottom get too cold. By all means for a gentle warm summer afternoon, 2 hours in a hammock is bliss. Even during a summer night, without one the heat just bleeds away. Any sign of a bit of chill in the air and that mat is the only thing between me and death..... ok bit over the top!
If you sleep IN your sleeping bag your weight will crush even a 4 season bag to a slice of paper, no use at all. Fitted in a designed double skin the CCF mat does not crush and gives a layer of insulation. Some folk also make use of an underquilt which hangs loose but very close to the bottom of a hammock, an external cocoon if you will. Yes you can put the mat inside the hammock with you but it is really no replacement or a double skin.
So for me, some thing close to my skin first. I just can not sleep in a hammock with just shorts and tee shirt. Long sleeved tee shirt and thin jogging bottoms, a flease sleeping bag liner, but something.
Next is the CCF mat and then I have my sleeping bag opened as a quilt. I have a mummy bag which does not unzip all the way. This means it leaves a wonderful pocket at the bottom that my bare feet go into. It also means the bag is held in place so I can then pull it up to my shoulders no problem. Tuck / pat the bag in down my sides, re adjust it to my shoulders, begin to remember the best bits of the day just gone...... let the snoring commence.
Sorry seemed to go off on one there but a single skin hammock is as much use as a single skin tent. They do work BUT...........no.
