Hammock Sleeping Bag & Staying Warm?

[nelly]

I have just ordered a DD hammock kit.

I have an old Vango sleeping bag...probably about 15+ years old & the zip has given up on life.

I'm looking for a nice cheap sleeping bag which will do me for summer use. I live in Scotland so something with that little bit extra warmth would be better but not essential.

I have two basic foam camping mats. Are they fine for laying on whilst in the hammock or would I be better going for an air filled/ different mat?

thanks

 

[JonathanD]

Highlander sleeping bags may be worth looking into. Quite cheap and I've heard good reviews about them.

Your foam mats should be fine as they don't slip about as much. I use a thermorest and it really needs the extra pocket in the hammock or they pop out from under you. That's my experience anyway.

 

[Radix lecti]

Hello nelly, your basic foam mat should be fine,but it is all down to personal preference, i have only just started getting into using hammocks ( im usually a ground dweller),i use a poncho liner in my DD hammock . As for the sleeping bag sorry i cannot recommend any as im still using an M 1949 U.S sleeping bag,old but still comfy. Cheers.
Darren

 

[nelly]

Sorry thing would probably be better in the Camp & Carry section

 

[seg1959]

I have just ordered a DD hammock kit.

I have an old Vango sleeping bag...probably about 15+ years old & the zip has given up on life.

I'm looking for a nice cheap sleeping bag which will do me for summer use. I live in Scotland so something with that little bit extra warmth would be better but not essential.

I have two basic foam camping mats. Are they fine for laying on whilst in the hammock or would I be better going for an air filled/ different mat?

thanks

Basic foam mats are more than enough as an underquilt of sorts for 2 season camping. The only problem you might have is getting them to conform to the contours of your body on the hammock, if you see what I mean. Some people have cut them in pieces which they then join with gaffer tape, to get them to be more comfortable - for example see http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=1738&catid=searchresults&searchid=51031 and http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=2001&catid=searchresults&searchid=51031
over in hammock forums.

 

[Radix lecti]

Hello again nelly ,on a lighthearted note how about one of these,

 

[Gailainne]

I've done -10 deg C in a hammock and some guys here have done -15, your sleeping bag is as per season, what ever you were comfortable in a tent will do you in a hammock. NOW the difference, a foam pad that kept you warm in a tent may not in a hammock, reason being the wind constantly blows across the underside of the hammock drawing away warmth, (which you are creating), I use a multimat which works really well, but I would think 2 foam mats would do you well, until the winter, it really depends on how cold you sleep. If you do get cold in the middle of the night, make sure your spare clothes are at hand, get them between you and your mats, they will help, bum first, shoulders second, heels third.

Enjoy your hammock, it will be the most comfortable nights sleep, you will ever have....after the first night, dont know why, everyone has a bad first night, shrug.

Cheers

Stephen

 

[Shewie]

One word ....

Snugfit



Snugpak do a synthetic version for half the price, it's equally as warm but heavier and a lot bulkier.

 

[Teepee]

Ive done -13 with no probs using foam pads and a 3.5 season bag, but I used 3 summer pads and 2 windscreen shields!

I find the foam pads much more comfy than an air pad, I feel a bit unstable with the air pad but they work and are miles more comfy on the ground.

For Scotland, I think a 3 bag season is better than a 2-it gets cold even in summer.

 

[charleslockerbie]

Iv not got the experience with extreme cold hummocking, but my dd with 1 foam mat is plenty comfy and warm, I use a 3 season vango just now. Id say try it and see how you feel, everyone is different. I cant advise much on sleeping bags tho.

edit, iv been using above set up in Scotland.

 

[Shewie]

Forgot to mention Unsponsored's underblankets, try doing a search for his name in the makers market and you'll see what he does.

 

[nelly]

Thanks for all the replys & info. I think I'll wing it with what I have for the first night (possibly tomorrow depending on delivery, if not saturday). I have a wandering mind & predict that I $h1T myself at the first strange sound! & have the kit up for sale on sunday afternoon!

 

[JonathanD]

Plenty of weird and wonderfully alien noises at night.. alone.. in the woods..

 

[Highbinder]

.after the first night, dont know why, everyone has a bad first night, shrug.

Not me, I slept in till 12 and never felt better

I'm stilll a hammock newb, I've slept 3 nights in it since I got it a few weeks back - I've been using my thermalite pad plus my alpkits down bag (£90 on their site) (laying in it but not zipped up, sort of as a quilt) and haven't been cold. I'd highly recommend their bags I've never ever ever had a bag so comfy. I'm off out this weekend again and plan to take an old closed cell roll matt to save on weight and bulk. I shall see if its comparable to my inflatable matt.

The only time I've felt cold is due to 'shoulder pinch' compressing the down between my shoulders and the hammock as my matt doesn't 'wrap round' like an underblanket would.

I've been thinking about converting my old synethetic bag to an underblanket for cold weather - I figure with the double zip creating an opening at the bottom and a couple of bungie cords / duct tape I can hook it up, and if it works I can start cutting and stitching to make it into a permanent setup.

I guess if it's particularly cold and windy pitching it low with the tarp right down to the ground would be best, you could always fill the A-frame sides with branches/leaves like an A-frame tarp tent?

 

[Radix lecti]

Plenty of weird and wonderfully alien noises at night.. alone.. in the woods..

What are trying to do Jonathan,frighten the poor fellow ? :yikes:

 

[nelly]

Exactly! I'm not far from Rossie Secure Accommodation. I really don't need anything else to put me off.....It is the least secure place I have ever heard of!