Newb to hammocks – help!

Check out http://www.hammockforums.net/

I think the general consensus is that the JRB top/bottom quilts are the way to go, but don't take my word on it.

I tried CCF pads and Big Agnes bags, but now an very happy with the 3 season quilts by Jacks'R'Better.

Tom at Hennessy told me the sunscreens sold at Walmart for auto windshields with the bubble wrap insides are the cheap way to insulate the hammock. He said a 20 degree bag keeps you warm down to 20 with this setup according to those he has talked to about this subject.

>Concerned mostly about 3 season use for starters. Any suggestions on pads, quilts, total sleep systems? Considering the JRB Shenandoh quilt and the wide GG 1/4 Thinlight pad.

It depends on your definition of “3 season”. In Wyoming, that easily includes +25F. I wrote about my Hennessy Hammock insulation testing in this BPL thread. For that temp extreme, a JRB Nest or No Sniveler top quilt with the Hennessy SuperShelter underpad/undercover (or another JRB Nest or No Sniveler) would work well. Although I haven’t tested the configuration, I would consider a JRB Shenandoah top quilt and a GG ThinLight 1/4″ pad to be comfortable to +45F and stretchable to +35F with insulated clothing. I’ve used the JRB Nest and a GG ThinLight 1/8″ pad (in-hammock) comfortably to +40F with insulated clothing.

Trying to position a sleeping pad underneath you in the hammock is a real pain. You might want to consider buying the Jacks R Better Weather Shield bottom cover. This will allow you to sling your sleeping pad underneath the hammock. (It will also work well with an under-quilt, of course.)

>Tom at Hennessy told me the sunscreens sold at Walmart for auto windshields with the bubble wrap insides are the cheap way to insulate the hammock.

I can tell you from personal experience that it gets really cold when you rip it in half in the middle of the night. The Gossamer Gear ThinLight 1/8″ is lighter, stronger and warmer; a bargain at $9.

Hi Jeff,

I'm just finishing up my review of the Hennessy Hyperlight and it is EXCELLENT. That's a great choice.

As far as insulation, here's my take:

I like the Hennessy Supershelter but I got cold below about 40 deg. However, I'm a cold sleeper.

I've also been testing the Jacks 'R' Better 4 season system and it is GREAT stuff. For three season use, I like the Nest underneath and a No Sniveller above. The Shenandoah with another top quilt would be a great deal as well.

The JRB Weather bottom is a great idea for when the winds pick up- winds can really strip the warmth away from a hammock so pick your sites wisely.

I've also used the Gossamer Gear hammock pad. I agree with Douglas that it can be hard to position these. However, I've found that this pad gives excellent warmth for the weight and is a fantastic choice to give your hammock system a boost in colder temps.

You will love the JRB/Hennessy combo. These are truly the most comfortable nights I've ever spent in the backcountry. The easiest nights have been above/below hammocks- getting situated in a hammock is a little tricky and I wouldn't want to use a pad every time if I could avoid it.

Best of luck with your hammocking! I'm pretty new to this too and it sure is a great way to go!

Doug

And by the way Jeff- welcome to BackpackingLight!

Doug

definitely check out hammockforums as jaiden mentioned.
you'll find more info on hammocks there than you can shake a stick at! …tim

I'll have to check out the Gossamer Gear Pad. I didn't know it was so cheap. A sunshade is about $7. 2 more bucks for quality is right down my alley! I don't mind paying for quality, but I LOVE finding a DEAL!(Thats why I bought factory second Hammocks for me and the little lady!)P.S. That's not the little lady in the picture with me.L That's a non-alcholic beer drinking pig in St.Croix!

Thanks for the great advice!! The only problem is Hammock Forums gives me almost as much to try and read just about hammocks as BPL does about everything else!! Super site!

yep, hammock forums & BPL.com… two great resources.
BTW… BPL.com comes up in conversation fairly often on hammock forum. there's even a currently active thread about BPL.com. …tim

I have no firsthand advice, but I read that forum a lot. One option for a pad is the very thin and wide owareusa.com one. A cheap alternative to underquilts.

Size 40 x 60 x 3/16" weighing 6 oz.
$24 with free shipping

Jeff,

A pad is an inexpensive way to be sure hammocks are right for you. If you're certain than by all means go for full quilting. Your two questions are "down vs synthetic?" (the answer is your own personal formula of weight/moisture control/dollars), and peapod vs over- and underquilt. For 3 seasons the two quilt system would give you better temp/humidity regulation. Answering these two questions will simplify things.

On the other hand Ed Speer sells the following:

R-Value=1 Rating 57F
1/4" x 24" x 80"
1/4" x 30" x 80"
1/4" x 36" x 80"
1/4" x 40" x 80"

The largest is about $32.

Try a wider pad, at least 36" to cover your shoulders. A pad can be cut and doubled ala Risk's overlap pad for added warmth – http://www.imrisk.com/overlappad/overlap.htm

I personally don't find a pad very satisfactory in a hammock (too much fuss factor) but was reluctant to spring for the underquilt until convinced the hammock was right for me.

On the other hand a pad could be nice to have to extend the underquilt in the cold season and a remnant made for a very serviceable cozy for my Snowpeak 900.

Let us know how it goes.