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[Closed] Any hammock users out there?
So...thinking of trying out a hammock for bike packing trips. Got a cheapo one off eBay which has built mossie net and is nice and light. Will use a light tarp as well.
My question is on insulation. You obviously don’t have the chill from the ground and a mat isn’t practical in a hammock so do you therefore not really need anything other than hammock, tarp and sleeping bag?
I’m thinking the compression of the bag by lying in the hammock will negate the insulators qualities of the bag on your back so you might still get cold...ideally I imagine you’d want a down layer on the outside of the hammock but that’s getting quite sophisticated.
Anyone got any experience of hammocks in cold weather?
You will notice a lack of insulation on your back and, as a result, I usually use a light camping mat underneath me when it is not super-hot at night. When I camped out overnight at Christmas the other year I had an Alpkit Dirtbag in there with me and a down bag and I was fine. In really cold weather, you're probably going to want to use an underblanket.
What you'll notice even more are how often you can't find any bloody treees.
I love my hammock but its a pain in the arse unless you know where you intend to sleep. So often it gets left behind.
Definitly need some insulation underneath your back. Camping mat as above, or if you want a cheap option get some of the silvered bubble wrap type insulation from a DIY stor and cut to size. For really cold you can make/buy and underquilt which it like a section of sleaping bag that hangs under the hammock.
An underblanket works well. I have been messing with a really light weight sleeping bag slung underneath. Lighter and smaller than a matt
I did my first bikepacking trip with a hammock on the last BH weekend. Not too bad except I took kit for the ground as well, just in case. That was 3Kg of kit😯 see my post of 31 Aug in this thread https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=17923&start=25
You’ll need some sort of insulation beneath you below about 20C. A mat is cheapest, if you use an inflatable mat then only half inflate it so it moulds to the hammock better.
The best solution is an under quilt but they aren’t cheap unless you have sewing skills and can convert an old sleeping bag. Also reckon on getting an under quilt rated 5C lower than the expected low temperatures you’ll be out in.
You’ll also need a tarp that’s a bit bigger than for ground kipping - I used an Alpkit Rig7.
My hammock is a homemade 3.3m (11ft) one.
You might find this useful from Katherine the hammock girl.
https://advntr.cc/all-you-need-to-know-about-hammocking/