Back to the drawing board (keeping warm)


R

redrob

Scout
Joined
Jan 12, 2010
Messages
481
Likes
12
Location
Austin, TX
I spent the night in the backyard to test my sleep system and I have to say that it's back to the drawing board. I put a 3/4" CCF pad in my Hennessy (which sucks if you don't have the side opening option) and covered myself with a French surplus wool blanket. I was wearing a pair of sweat pants, a T-shirt, a hoodie and wool socks. The temp got down to the low 40s, maybe the high 30s. I woke up at one point extremely cold and decided to add a reusable space blanket over the wool blanket, but this was less that perfect. I was still cold, although I woke at one point to discover that the space blanket wasn't covering me. I had tried to make a foot box out of the end of my blanket, but I woke up with cold, numb feet, something which I can get easily. I chose this set up because I happen to already have all this equipment. I don't think I would get hypothermia, but I think I might have had a problem with my feet if I had to do this for a while.

I have an old sleeping bag that I think I will try in conjunction with the CCF pad. If that doesn't work, perhaps a super shelter type option would be the ticket.

Rob
 
For upper 30s/low 40s, I'd first suggest you might have been under-dressed. A set of thermals or long johns beneath what you wore might help.

Second, I'd recommend an under quilt of some sort... you lose a good deal of heat to convection as the air passes beneath the hammock. A sleeping bag could help offset that, too.
 
What I did was to attach Reflectix insulation on my CCF with spray glue. My biggest trouble is my current pad isn't wide enough and I often wake up with a cold side from slipping partly off. And yeah with the bottom entry Hennessy it takes a lot of wiggling to get arranged. I found it easier to use a blanket\quilt type insulation over me than to try to arrange myself into a sleeping bag. Keep trying and let us know how you work it out:)
 
Did you start sweating? What was the wind like? What about the humidity? If you didn't start sweating like I would have with all of that then you might have been under dressed.
 
I went to 29 deg F with a woobie underquilt lined with a reflective emergency blanket underneath. In the hammock I had a USGI bivi, with a 15 deg bag inside. I wore my thermal top and bottoms with 2 pair of wool socks. I was fine except my feet still got cold. Next time I will use some of those foot warmers and I'll bet I'm good to go.
 
Walmart blue pad and a 20 deg SB good for mid thirties (at least) for me in a HH Expedition. Use the SB as a top quilt (feet in the foot box, the rest over me unzipped). Pad only 20" wide, so cut in half and lay the pads overlapped, side by side, giving a wide torso pad 36" long and 30" wide, two short lengths of paracord looped though small holes to keep the two pads in position relative to each other, remove the cord, completely overlap the pads to make a roll 20" wide to strap onto your backpack for travel. $6 pad and $34 SB protects to about freezing - why pay 200 for an underquilt. Pad(s) can also be used on the ground, as a sit or kneel pad around camp. (even help you float across rivers:-)
 
I just made a polyethylene foam underquilt from 3 tv bags from work. That could be a cheap option for you, i think i spent 10 bucks for everything, and im sure there is a bunch of tv foam lying around this time of year. It is 3 layers of foam stacked with pleats and is actually quite warm. Im 5'8" and the quilt is 60". I have not tested it in a hammock yet but using it as a blanket out on a swing I was fine with shorts and a t shirt at 20 deg. My feet got cold, but that was because I was barefoot and there was a draft because its not designed to be a blanket. I guess I should include that I do tend to be a very warm sleeper.
 
Redrob, I agree with you being underdressed, especially having just a wool blanket over you. If you have a poncho liner, throw it over a ridgeline. As long as the sides drape down to touch the hammock, it will create a micro climate. I can feel a big difference between the inside and outside temp. It was 25* when I got up this morning. I didn't see my breath while I was under the poncho liner, but I saw it as soon as I flipped it back.

If you sleeping bag is rated into the 30's, it would be a better option than the blanket. I've been toying with the idea of making short bag/long footbox that would slide into my lighter weight bag. My feet get cold very easily. But I found an old down sleeping bag that is probably good to zero, so that has gotten pushed to the back burner.
 
No wind and not particularly humid. Unfortunately, I don't have any longjohns.

I was thinking about using a cheap bag I have for a top quilt and a canteen full of hot water between my feet.

I have heard that the space blanket by itself doesn't make a good underquilt. Is that true?

Thanks,
Rob
 
PDA said:
Walmart blue pad and a 20 deg SB good for mid thirties (at least) for me in a HH Expedition. Use the SB as a top quilt (feet in the foot box, the rest over me unzipped). Pad only 20" wide, so cut in half and lay the pads overlapped, side by side, giving a wide torso pad 36" long and 30" wide, two short lengths of paracord looped though small holes to keep the two pads in position relative to each other, remove the cord, completely overlap the pads to make a roll 20" wide to strap onto your backpack for travel. $6 pad and $34 SB protects to about freezing - why pay 200 for an underquilt. Pad(s) can also be used on the ground, as a sit or kneel pad around camp. (even help you float across rivers:-)
Click to expand...

I am having a little trouble picturing how you join your pads together. Do you have a photo?

Thanks,
Rob
 
laced ccf pad

Rob, here are pictures. 1 shows the two pads, 2 the "lace" , 3 the two pads laced together (this is a small overlap,total pad width ca. 36"). 4 detail of lace

As stated above, you really need something better over you than a bkanket. I got my Alps Mountaineering Clearwater 20 deg bag for $34 at the REI Outlet site in an end of season clearout. Amazing value at that price. Long johns would be a good idea, I got mine really cheap at an outlet type store called Ocean Job Lot, which I believe are all over. Wearing your pants, particularly jeans is a bad idea because the rivets can easily rip the hammock. Hanging a space blanket underneath the hammock will probablu add a few degrees to the insulation and as a windproof barrier will help a lot. About the only drawback of CCF pads is you tend to end up with a bit of a sweaty back (it is a total vapor barrier next to the skin)
 

Attachments

  • Pad04.jpg
    Pad04.jpg
    43.9 KB · Views: 40
  • Pad03.jpg
    Pad03.jpg
    47.8 KB · Views: 34
  • Pad02.jpg
    Pad02.jpg
    42.5 KB · Views: 38
  • Pad01.jpg
    Pad01.jpg
    38.6 KB · Views: 30
Yetee said:
I just made a polyethylene foam underquilt from 3 tv bags from work. That could be a cheap option for you, i think i spent 10 bucks for everything, and im sure there is a bunch of tv foam lying around this time of year. It is 3 layers of foam stacked with pleats and is actually quite warm. Im 5'8" and the quilt is 60". I have not tested it in a hammock yet but using it as a blanket out on a swing I was fine with shorts and a t shirt at 20 deg. My feet got cold, but that was because I was barefoot and there was a draft because its not designed to be a blanket. I guess I should include that I do tend to be a very warm sleeper.
Click to expand...

picture please!
 
wisconsinwalter said:
picture please!
Click to expand...

Here it is on a gt ul with my wife and son testing it out. It has been unusually warm lately so not a very good test for cold (53 deg at 10:30 pm in northern Utah) but I was warm with no blanket, toasty on my underside actually.

photobucket-4014-1325311238521.jpg


Only the outside is skinned with nylon.
 
Clark NA

OK. I really like clarks for a whole pile of reasons, not the least of which is the cargo pockets underneath that trap air and provide a barrier of sorts against convection heat loss. Not bulletproof but it is a noticeable effect.

What I've done on a prototype (and I will move to velcro versus simple stitches on my more advanced model) is this: one real honest to god space blanket, shiny side in; inside that is a flimsy emergency blanket, shiny side in; against my body is a 70/30 wool/nylon blanket, all perimeter stitched and stitched on the long-side center to make a fold point.

The blanket is about 6" wider than the space blanket or the emergency blanket so it gives you a nice little flap to tuck in with.

Combine this with fleece or wool insulating layer and double wool socks and I've been comfortable into the high teens and cozy in the 20s.

Next version will use velcro versus perimeter stitching so I can tailor layers. I'll also tailor a foot pouch, maybe mid-calf depth or a little deeper, so I'm not chasing my foot covering.

One thing about this arrangement that helps you stay at least semi-alert is that it is LOUD! Lots of crinkly crunchies when you move. But it works and the space blanket and wool blanket are basic SK items anyway.

Still a work in progress but I think it's a keeper.


loam
 
I got a USGI poncho liner for 15 bucks, folded it in half, stitched in two layers of fleece to the upper half, sewed the edges, added paracord for suspension with two loops of heavy bungee for stretch where the UQ suspension meets the hammock and I call that my underquilt. The paracord suspension has tautline hitches for tightness adjustment and prussik knots to keep it from sliding down too much. I also left space where I could stuff extra insulation if I needed it. I want to get and Ikea sheepskin for that super duper insulation. I sort of followed the sewn PLUQ instructions on hammock forums but with some tweaks for my own persona touches. I figure that will be fine for about 30* but have yet to test it fully.
 
Better this time, but still not quite...

I slept out in the hammock last night with temps about 41 degrees F in the local area, although I didn't mesure it myself. I had on a midweight thermal base layer that I got about a month ago on clearance at Academy, wool socks, a knit cotton polo shirt (what I happened to be wearing yesterday) and a cotton hoodie over that. I had the hood up and a buff around my neck. I used a CCF pad underneath me and an old sleeping bag (branded Remington, got it at Academy a long time ago, not sure of the rating) used like a top quilt. I filled a canteen with hot water before bed and stuck it into the foot box. I was fairly warm, except for my feet. I couldn't get the canteen to stay between my feet and they were quite cold this morning. I don't have very good circulation to my feet anyway, so this is a problem when I am out in the weather. I think I will try some toe warmers next time, although it isn't forecasted to get that cold again in the near future.

Thanks,
Rob
 
It's a step in the right direction, so yay.

I have problems getting/keeping my feet warm. Two things I learned were to wear clean, dry socks and to layer them, depending on the temps. I wear a pair of fleece socks that are a bit loose on me. If its going to drop into the 30's or lower I wear a pair of silk liners. The key is too keep them just slightly loose. Being tight they don't create the dead air space and they restrict circulation. Neither things you want when you are trying to keep your toes warm.

Another thing you could try is to make a footbox out of refletix and slip it inside your sleeping bag.

Glad you had something on your head. It does make a difference.
 
This should work;
1. Iso Mat
2. get in between the wool blanket with half on top of the iso mat, then wrapped around to the top of a good sleeping bag. Aim the fold into the direction of the wind.
3. Poncho liner works best or small cheap fleece blanket stuffed into the bottom of your bag for your feet.
4. Wool beanie/ watch cap
5. I use a field jacket liner stuffed into its sleeve as a pillow (this allows another layer to be put on if need be or when you first get up)

6. The most important-- sleep in nothing but your boxers and socks! (My wife froze her but off for 5 years until she finally listened to me). Your body will evenly heat the entire bag making a very very comfortable sleep.

I learned this little trick in the Marine Corps, I will be in boxers and socks and be very comfortable and my wife would be in thermals sweat pants and shirt gloves and some times a jacket and she would freeze. If you start out warm and then get cold during the night try getting out of your bag for just a minute or two. When you get back in your bag you will start warming up and be comfortable again, this sort of resets your mind in thinking you are warm if all else fails put on another layer. But in 11 years I have never had to put on another layer and I woke up once with 2 inches of snow on top of my bivy sack.
 
Thermarest sit pad in the footbox under you feet may help.

High calorie snack at bedtime will help keep the internal furnace burning.
 
I wash and dry my feet then put on heavy wool socks, Do not wear same socks you wore all day. This makes a big difference for me , cant hurt to try
 
Nwwoodsman has a video on wrapping in a wool blanket. Wrapping In A Wool Blanket - YouTube

With this method you end up with multiple layers around your feet, which means more insulation. I have used this in my HH BPUL with bottom entry wirh good effect.
I have also found at home that my feet are warmer wrapped in blanket with no socks than if wrapped in the same blanket with socks. I assume poor circulation prevents my socked feet from warming up whereas my bare feet are warmed by the rest of my body being under the blanket.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top