I just finished making an underquilt for my Clark NA Jungle Hammock using an old Coleman 3 in 1 poncho. I have used the poncho for years as a blanket for outside sporting events when it's cold and wet and windy. It has always performed well, so rather than buck up for a high dollar underquilt, I thought I'd give it a shot.

Using a little industrial strength velcro and a layman's ingenuity I was able to get a pretty good pocket to lay in with a tight seal under my hammock. I layed in it (in my basement, mind you) and I could actually feel the heat radiating back upward. I am very confident this setup will keep me warm in the hammock with a seasonally appropriate bag. I'll try to give it a real test soon, and post some pics.

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Outdoors-3-In-1-Blanket-Roadtrip/dp/B0009PUTG6

Good for you! I'm with ya Brown Leader, ..I did something very similar with an old synthetic sleeping bag. Kind of fun, actually.

It finally got cold in Chicago. So, I put my new hammock design to the test. My underquilt, an old Coleman windbreaker Poncho with Fleece on one side, worked nicely in 10 degree weather. But, my feet got cold because the quilt only covered 3/4 of the underside. So, I took an old emergency blanket tarp (the kind with heat reflective side) and used industrial strength velcro to mold it into a cocoon of sorts for my foot end of the hammock. With the velcro, I can modify the hammock in seconds to accomodate very cold temps... I love it.

I am new to the hammock world, what type of bag opr quilt are you using on the inside and are you using a pad on the inside? I am trying to decide if I should make an under quilt or use a sleeping pad for a June trip to the BWCA. If you guys are using a light blanket for an under quilt in 10 degree weather it certainly should work for 30 degree weather n June. Please share your thoughts.

My best advice would be to put something together, and then test it by sleeping out in your hammock with it over night BEFORE you leave home on your trip. Some people sleep cold, and some sleep warm. By testing it out ahead of time in matching temperatures, you can individualize it and find out what works best for you.

I find I don't need that much of an underquilt, as long as there is a barrier that keeps the air flowing beneath me from robbing my body heat through the hammock. I went out in 10 degrees, in a 0 degree bag, and my underquilt was a heavy fleece windbreaker material that is comfortable down to about 40 degrees.

I am considering jumping on the hammock wagon and leaning towards the Clark NX250. One of the reasons is the Z liner system. I have couple of questions.
What pushed you toward one of the more expensive hammocks? (Pretty sure I am going to purchase NX250)
Does your system include the Z liner?
If yes does it not work? (I don't want to order the Z liner if it does not work)
I don't hear allot of people talking on this site about the Clarks.

I got the more expensive Clark because I had a hammock fail on me on a trip. It was the Lawson Blue Ridge model with spreader bars. That model was exceptionally comfortable, until the spreader bars broke, and the crap stitching on the zipper ripped a hole in the hammock. I spent a miserable week on the ground, and decided to do things right next time. The Clark is well made. It is very comfortable. I don't have the Z liner because it is too expensive for what it is. I love my solution pictured above using the coleman blanket for much less money.

If I was to get another hammock, I'd get the Warbonnet Blackbird. I've heard some really good things about it.

I have the clark and the warbonnet, both are nice but i like the warbonnet better, alot quicker setup "I got the straps" and I like the sleeve you can slide your pad in it doesn't slip around

quote Mort: "My best advice would be to put something together, and then test it by sleeping out in your hammock with it over night BEFORE you leave home on your trip. Some people sleep cold, and some sleep warm. By testing it out ahead of time in matching temperatures, you can individualize it and find out what works best for you."

+1 I've used a foam pad in the hammock, and I've played around with a poncho underlayer with a down parka stuffed inside. Don't underestimate how cold you may get. The pad alone in the hammock worked fine in August in the BW last year. Also bring a hat or you will need to cocoon, which is not so bad really.

I have been considering an underquilt and DIY strikes my interest. Good stuff is sooo pricey. And I want big.
Maybe these questions are answered elsewhere, but here goes.
*How does the UQ attach? to the hammock itself or at the rigging via its own suspension system? From what I gather long shock cords hemmed into the sides of the UQ are then attached to the rigging. Length and tension in the shock cords will hold the UQ adjacent to the hammock and have potential of becoming a cocoon if large enough.
*Is it better to provide for some hang space between the UQ and hammock or relatively snug?

In October 2012 I awoke to skim ice on the kayak and tree branches along the water. I was sleeping on a 3 1/2 pad under a 20 degree bag and stayed toasty so I suspect I am a warm sleeper. No bugs so no screen. It was a protected area with no wind.

Bhouse,

My Dad always told me to lead with my best punches. For me, that's duct tape, and industrial strength velcro. My DIY underquilt pictured above is securred at the head end by gathering the ends, and tying a string around them. Then, at the foot end, I have I have stuck some sticky sided velcro to the bottom of my hammock, and to the Underquilt. I spent a week or so tinkering to get it to fit the way I want.

Similarly, for my foot bivvy pictured above, it's just industrial velcro to fasten it where I want. Over time, I expect I will get the system a little neater, but for now, it is fully functional, albeit, slightly sloppy.

TBL

Brownleader,

In your picture, is the silver or grey blanket the underquilt and the green piece the emergency blanket?

TheBrownLeader, thanks for the input.
I checked out the ENO exhibit at Canoecopia and have at least seen an underquilt now, still more to learn.
Has anyone seen a link or have access to a pattern. I have someone who would sew one up for me with professional equipment but she wants a pattern.
Thanks again.

Just do a Google search for DIY underquilt or hammock underquilt pattern and with a little digging you should be able to find something.

Unas10,
Thanks, got lots of good stuff quickly so now sort through it and figure what will work for my needs. Sometimes I still forget the obvious.

yes that is correct... sorry, I've been gone and didn't see this until today.

I've yet to test out my hammock camping. This might be my first weekend (I haven't decided for sure) and I don't have an underquilt...so I'll have to see if the insulated BA pad will work well enough. (Note: I am in Chicago, so there's not currently snow on the ground; and hopefully there won't be this weekend.)

If I decide I need one, I'd like to make an underquilt. I've been looking at the DIY info on the differential baffles and that seems like something that my marginal sewing skills could manage.

I was also looking at the triangle thingies from Arrowhead Equipment, and something like that seems easy enough to make.

Be sure those shoulders are covered. Even a short pad set crosswise will help. Still pretty cold out.

th is right. Use one regular ccf pad lengthwise and cut one down to about 30" and lay it across under your shoulders. We are looking at 40's overnight this weekend.