2 questions for the hammock chaps.

[fish]

first,the main drawback from what ive read about all hammocks is that you compress the insulation on your sleeping bag thus reducing your warmth and necessitating buying an under-blanket,so why dont folk use the mesh type of hammocks? the sleeping bag would not be compressed that way and there fore would be warmer and not need to carry the extra weight of an under-blanket.

second question ,and ime sure theres a sane answer,why have a hammock and an uderbalanket and a sleeping bag when a cross btween a hammock and a sleeping bag could be made,ie a hanging sleeping bag?

[Silverback]

first,the main drawback from what ive read about all hammocks is that you compress the insulation on your sleeping bag thus reducing your warmth and necessitating buying an under-blanket,so why dont folk use the mesh type of hammocks? the sleeping bag would not be compressed that way and there fore would be warmer and not need to carry the extra weight of an under-blanket.

second question ,and ime sure theres a sane answer,why have a hammock and an uderbalanket and a sleeping bag when a cross btween a hammock and a sleeping bag could be made,ie a hanging sleeping bag?

1, cant say without testing a mesh hammock but im sure theres an answer

2, been done its called a cocoon

[suggy]

Just a few things that spring to mind.

The first retains a sleeping bags loft, for ground dwelling though.

http://www.backpacker.com/fall-winter-gear-guide-2010-klymit-inertia-x-frame-sleeping-pad/gear/14857

Hanging sleeping bags..

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/kit/reviews/hammock-cocoon-what-is-a-hammock-cocoon.html

http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/PeaPod.htm

[Richie]

You compress the sleeping bag wether in a hammock or on the ground. This is more of a problem with down bags than synthetics.
Many hammocks such as the DD range have a separate compartment to insert underlay.
For summer I just use some silvered reflective foam, and in winter I just insert a lightweight 2 season sleeping bag.
You can use an under blanket of course, but I find them a hassle to put up.
There's a product you can get from a DIY store called "thermowrap". It's designed for insulating lofts and is basically a silvered bubble wrap, but its equivalent to 4 inches of polystyrene in insulation. Very lightweight and packs away easily.

[suggy]

I bought a British army sleeping bag with a longer zip with the intention of making something similar but it won't be lightweight.
5439

[Shewie]

The net hammocks are horrid to sleep in, okay for a gear hanger but that's about it. A sleeping bag still gets compressed as the holes in the net aren't really big enough.

Top quilts and underquilts are the answer, spendy but worth it

[fish]

Just a few things that spring to mind.

Hanging sleeping bags..

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/kit/reviews/hammock-cocoon-what-is-a-hammock-cocoon.html

http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/PeaPod.htm

both those simply go around a hammock

[FishyFolk]

I plan to test the DD hammock when it arrives using my Jerven bag as a cocoon. It got two-way zippers on 3 sides so it should be fairly straight forward. Of course there will be a video on it.
Even If I do not sleep all night a good after dinner snooze should give an indication if this is a good idea or not :-)

[biker-bri]

Thermowrap looks like just the thing for either a roll mat or made into a cheep underquilt, a certain Diy store that ends in q is selling a 7.5 mtr X 600mm roll for just under £13.00 can't be bad
Cheers Bri

[biker-bri]

both those simply go around a hammock

That,s right fish, the underquilt act,s just like a mattress - stop's the cold air chilling you'r back and the top is like a quilt at home so no need for a sleeping bag, or so THEY say
Cheers Bri

[f0rm4t]

I saw a video on YouTube of a kid that showed an intuitive way of sleep setup.
He slipped the whole sleeping bag over the hammock, so you sleep on the hammock directly and the sleeping bag slips over and under the whole setup.
I'll see if I can find it :)

[f0rm4t]

Found it!
What do you reckon?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjThfHG8Gj0

[fish]

i recon a modded army artic bag would work,open the foot end up and sew elastic into it to form a 'sphincter' of sorts and similar just below the hood end.

[Richie]

Thermowrap looks like just the thing for either a roll mat or made into a cheep underquilt, a certain Diy store that ends in q is selling a 7.5 mtr X 600mm roll for just under £13.00 can't be bad
Cheers Bri

Same stuff they use to make pot wraps

[Tigger004]

Fish,
I have sleept in a mesh Hammock, the one I used did have a large mesh and as you say compression was minimal. only problen is the bigger the mesh the more it cuts in on the pressure points, not comfy,

I had seen the video with the young lad an intend giving it a try with a cheapo bag first modde as you suggested ('sphinctered') as in the peapod which is commercially available.

Hope this answers the questions and helps.. Tiggs

[jus_young]

5440

Someone came up with it :D

[fish]

got a link?

[biker-bri]

Try this one fish, http://grizzlymike.com/camping/High_Peak_sleeping_bags/HIGH_PEAK_PANDA_HAMMOCK_SLEEPING_BAG_00204.HTML
Cheers Bri

[f0rm4t]

Try this one fish, http://grizzlymike.com/camping/High_Peak_sleeping_bags/HIGH_PEAK_PANDA_HAMMOCK_SLEEPING_BAG_00204.HTML
Cheers Bri

Looks brilliant Bri!

[TreeCamper]

The problem with these slide over bags is you have no bug protection.
Some will say ahhh but I only use it in winter when there are no bugs. This is not the case, in reality you will find yourself needing insulation even in Summer especially if its breezy.
Ahhh but I can buy a seperate mozzie net. But this path is going to end up spending more of your hard earned than simply buying an underquilt at the beginning.

Long time hammockers have used allsorts of homemade stuff some of which is excellent. I have used a CCF mat sandwiched in between hammock layers. Most of us already
have one of those somewhere they are very cheap. I have then added a car Picnic blanket inside my hammock doubled over which is quite good and only cost me a fiver.

Even with a reasonable sleeping bag as temps drop you will need more bottom,back and shoulder insulation.

Now you can add all sorts of army surplus stuff,bed rolls, polish mats etc and they will work fine. The problem here is bulk and weight, especially if you are not car camping. You will soon get fed up with lugging it all around.

So after you have upgraded your sleeping bag, bought, mats, rolls, external mozzie nets, bought and homemade stuff and shoved allsorts of other stuff in and under your hammock, you will probably want to end up with an underquilt, of course you can have a go at making one of those yourself with an old sleeping bag.

My thoughts are that I will make do with what I have around the house and save up for an underquilt, they are lighter and easier to pack, fit properly so you are not wrestling with stuff all night (believe me you will) they are unobtrusive and comfortable and most of all will keep you warm.

So my vote is for a proper underquilt to start with if you are seriously considering winter or exposed hammocking.

Hope this is of help and saves someone, time, money or a good nights sleep in the bush.

TC

[jus_young]

got a link?


Try this one fish, http://grizzlymike.com/camping/High_Peak_sleeping_bags/HIGH_PEAK_PANDA_HAMMOCK_SLEEPING_BAG_00204.HTML
Cheers Bri

Thats the one!