I'm taking my first BWCA hang in early July. I don't have an underquilt yet, so I was planning on taking along a windshield shade and a space blanket to use as underpads. Do you think this is sufficient to keep me warm? Other suggestions? Thanks!

Until I bought an underquilt I used a cheap wally world sleeping pad underneath me. With almost no sewing experience you can make what is called a segmented pad extender so your arms stay warm as well. You can easily stay toasty warm in july with only a pad.

Here is a link that shows how someone made one with sewing. Some people just use duct tape as well. Jeff's Homemade SPE

Thanks for the feedback so far. I appreciate it.
To focus my question a little more though: - I already have a 26 inch wide pad to use, however it is 5/8 inch thick. I'm thinking this is more insulation than I will need. Also, since this will be a solo trip, I would like to keep the weight down. So my question is more along the lines of the adequacy of temperature protection. Thanks.

You might want to invest in a 1/8 inch CCS pad for summer trips. It's light and not bulky but is good to 40 degrees and you can go lower by folding in half and putting under your torso.

There's this company Seattle Fabrics that sells pads 60" wide which is what I have. You then cut it to fit with it being narrower for under your legs. Here's a Link Scroll down a little and click on "closed cell foam".

It's difficult finding 1/8 inch pads that are wide. I like it to wrap up around my shoulders. In my Blackbird there's a slot in the fabric where the pad slides into.

I think a combo 1/8 pad and 20 degree underquilt will be good for all except winter. That's my plan anyway.

I haven't tried your space blanket etc approach, but in the BW it is often warm when you go to bed and quite cool before dawn, so you should at least experiment before you go. I used a blue ccf pad in an s-p-e and it worked out.

GossamerGear also has pads. There pads are very light and good insulation. http://gossamergear.com
For the first few years I did not have any under insulation and most of the time I was fine but there were those times when I was cold. I believe any one of the above suggestions would work for July. The space blanket should be suspended under the hammock not inside under your sleeping bag.

I bought my 1/8 inch pad at Gossamer Gear about three years ago and they sold a wide 40 inch one. The widest they now have at 1/8 is 19 inches.

Mort -- Are you the person that posted this same question on HammokForums.net? If so, I will not bore you with the same answer.

Yes, that was me on HF. Thanks.
I was convinced by the consistent feedback I received, and so I went ahead and made a DIY underquilt from an old synthetic sleeping bag. Looking forward to trying it out.

quote Mort: "I'm taking my first BWCA hang in early July. I don't have an underquilt yet, so I was planning on taking along a windshield shade and a space blanket to use as underpads. Do you think this is sufficient to keep me warm? Other suggestions? Thanks! "

Yes.

quote MagicPaddler: "GossamerGear also has pads. There pads are very light and good insulation. http://gossamergear.com
For the first few years I did not have any under insulation and most of the time I was fine but there were those times when I was cold. I believe any one of the above suggestions would work for July. The space blanket should be suspended under the hammock not inside under your sleeping bag.
"

I have gone without a few times also. In fact it was so hot one July I used the bag as my pillow and was very comfortable while the guys in the tents sweltered all night. Check the weather before you go and prepare for the worst. I made an UQ out of thermoflect which works great for July trips.