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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Hammock reflector pad and sleeping bag damp when cold
 
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pswith5
02/12/2020 01:08PM
  
Ya gotta hold your breath!!
 
BigFlounder
02/12/2020 04:49PM
  
For under or top quilts, if you're on a budget look at the ones offered by Arrowhead Equipment. Next up in price would be the Econ series from Hammock Gear. And if you want the really good stuff, the better stuff from Hammock Gear is awesome. I can't speak for other brands as these are the brands I've got experience with. But I LOVE my stuff from Hammock Gear.


https://www.arrowhead-equipment.com/store/c3/Hammock-Camping-Quilts


https://hammockgear.com/insulation/


Yeah, you don't NEED an under quilt or top quilt. Of course, you don't NEED a lightweight canoe either. ; )



 
Canoe42
02/13/2020 04:56PM
  
I use the ENO Ember Underquilt. Ember I use a light wieght down bag on top and have been nice and warm.
 
Tbridge56
06/08/2021 11:34AM
  
Luckee: "Coming back to this thread after hammocking up in the Sierra Nevada for a few nights over Memorial Day weekend.



I did indeed go spend bucks on a Hennessey undercover and underpad, and they make a huge difference. WAY better than the reflector pad.



However, I still got at least part of the underpad a bit soggy on each (quite cold, high 30's) night. Is that expected? My guess is that you have to have the hammock pitched just about perfectly level, and not sleep in some bunched-up way that compresses a particular area of the underpad and undercover (which would squish things together and cancel out both the insulating and ventilating properties of the setup).



If you know that's wrong, please reply and keep educating me :). I'm headed out in a minute to get a line level for just this purpose. One week from now I'll have that hammock on a plane to Alaska! "


When you are laying in the hammock reach under you between the hammock material and the underquilt, you should have about a 2 inch space, you do not want the underquilt up against the hammock.
 
Luckee
02/11/2020 10:12PM
  
Last summer in Quetico I had some notably cold nights, and noticed something that didn't help in the aim of staying warm: condensation formed between my heat reflector sleeping pad and my synthetic down bag, wetting both bag and pad.

Have others had this? Is there a way to control or avoid this? The pad is one specifically made for Hennessey hammocks, and it seems to stay dry as long as the temps don't get down to the high 30s F.

It was bad enough that I'm considering bringing a thermarest instead of the reflector this year, though that has its own issues in bulk and convenience.
 
Luckee
06/08/2021 04:47PM
  
Thanks guys! To hear from experienced outdoorsmen helps build confidence in what I think I know :)


Really excited to put that setup to work up in Alaska. If I can stay unmauled by a brown bear, the trip should be a perfectly fine alternative to Quetico, at least for this year.
 
bhouse46
06/08/2021 05:48PM
  
I do not connect a level lay with condensation, in fact some prefer head or feet just a little elevated. I go for as level as possible so I do not slide and taut enough not to sag in the middle.
I would look at ventilation. As mentioned we exhale a lot of moisture. And second sweat. Some of us sweat more and protective sleep wear (moisture absorbent) or a liner might be helpful. It is hard to ventilate for sweat, but would be a big issue with a reflective pad which would only increase the sweating.
 
Savage Voyageur
06/08/2021 12:36PM
  
Yes you need to position the underquilt so it has a gap and not touching your body. If you feel between the hammock and the underquilt you will have warm air. That air gap is another part of your hammock system.
 
Luckee
06/04/2021 03:27PM
  
Coming back to this thread after hammocking up in the Sierra Nevada for a few nights over Memorial Day weekend.


I did indeed go spend bucks on a Hennessey undercover and underpad, and they make a huge difference. WAY better than the reflector pad.


However, I still got at least part of the underpad a bit soggy on each (quite cold, high 30's) night. Is that expected? My guess is that you have to have the hammock pitched just about perfectly level, and not sleep in some bunched-up way that compresses a particular area of the underpad and undercover (which would squish things together and cancel out both the insulating and ventilating properties of the setup).


If you know that's wrong, please reply and keep educating me :). I'm headed out in a minute to get a line level for just this purpose. One week from now I'll have that hammock on a plane to Alaska!
 
BigFlounder
02/11/2020 10:43PM
  
Not sure what would cause it except the normal warmth meeting cold air condensation type of thing. My suggestion would be to try an under quilt instead of the pad. Not only do I think this will eliminate your issue, I think you'll be much happier with it.
 
JATFOMike
02/14/2020 05:06AM
  
I have a 20 deg rated under quilt from Hammockgear and have utilized it comfortably down to -15 and as warm as probably 60's.....one advantage is if you start to get too warm you can adjust the tension of the under quilt to allow for better airflow between the under quilt and the bottom side of your hammock to help reduce condensation.....I've been using the under quilt set up for over ten years now and have no complaints....


Mike
 
mcsweem
02/12/2020 08:57AM
  
I use a pad in my hammock, I have a warbonnet, has a sleeve perfectly fits a pad, I switch from time to time . Been in a hammock for over 10 years, never bothered with an underquilt, slept down to 20 degrees no problem. I think underquilts are kind of a waste of money, in fact I don't use a sleeping bag either just a couple of blankets.
 
Savage Voyageur
02/12/2020 11:51AM
  
Yes there is a way to control condensation, toss out your reflector pad and get an underquilt. What you’ve done with a pad is created a moisture barrier. You need to release the moisture not trap it. My underquilt is rated down to 20 deg. You stay toasty warm and dry. My underquilt was made by Arrowhead equipment, I had extra insultex sewn in. He is great to work with.
 
butthead
02/12/2020 06:26AM
  
Sweat------warm humid air------condensation-------damp.


BigFlounder hit it, ditch the heat reflector sleeping pad. The source for the damp is still there you just reduce the condensate collection and/or add distance between it and you.
Between exhaled breath and body sweat a human releases a pint or so of water overnite.


butthead
 
drnatus
02/12/2020 10:07AM
  
Love underquilts.


I made a couple myself, but since I have no objective way of testing them, I will sometimes bring a pad "just in case". The pad and the underquilt combo work great.


But the pad I use is the 1/4 inch gossamer gear pad.... fantastic. Don't get the 1/8 inch. It is too floppy and easily wrinkles.


Gossamer gear 1/4 inch pad
 
Luckee
02/12/2020 12:52PM
  
Or why stop at $30 when you can spend 150? :)


https://hennessyhammock.com/products/supershelter-4-season-insulation-system-2-zip


Waterproofing things out in the woods seems wise, but I wonder if "The waterproof, windproof silnylon UnderCover creates a trapped airspace" doesn't just recreate the condensation problem . . .
 
Luckee
02/12/2020 12:23PM
  
Thanks for all the excellent input and information folks -- it is all starting to make sense.


I've been backpacking for 35 years and kayak camping for about 15, but only hammock camping for a few years, so I must confess total ignorance of underquilts. Thanks for the heads-up!


Looks like warbonnet underquilts and Hennessey "insulation" aren't compatible? Guess I should look at something like this: https://hennessyhammock.com/products/replacement-underpad-1-classic-expedition-backpacker-and-hyperlite