Hammock campers: what can I get away with?

[DawnPatrol]

Howdy!

I don’t backpack hunt enough to justify buying special gear (ie bottom blanket for hammock) but I occasionally find myself wanting to spike out for a night.

I already have a eno 2-person hammock, a pad, and a zero degree down bag. Realistically, what’s the coldest temp I could get away with sleeping in using just that?

I know hammock camping is an art/gear industry unto itself, so no disrespect to people who have really gone all in—I’m just not there yet.

 

[GunsAreFun]

If you can get your pad to work in the hammock, you’ll be ok, but there is a reason under quilts exist. It’s because pad don’t work well.

If your pad doesn’t work, your temp is pretty limited. I’ve napped in 60 degree weather in my hammock with a light breeze and my butt was a bit chilly. Much colder, and it would have likely affected my ability to sleep. If you can sew some, lookup diy videos converting those cheap down blankets into under quilts.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Just buy a cheap used UQ from here:
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/forumdisplay.php/154-For-Sale

UQs are a must.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

I’ve never had issues with pads in my single nest ENO. Being a side sleeper the pad is super necessary. I’ve taken a cheap thermarest foam pad and 29 degree bag into the lower 40’s no problem. If you don’t have issues with the pad moving around and you have a zero degree I’d say 30’s east and probably 20’s too.

 

[Ozarkansas]

If you have a bag that secured to your pad you can get away with a lot, but even then you would probably want to add 20 degrees to your bag/pad rating and not go hammocking if it’s below that. I hear great things about underquilts being game changers but have no experience with them

 

[Where's Bruce?]

If you have a bag that secured to your pad you can get away with a lot, but even then you would probably want to add 20 degrees to your bag/pad rating and not go hammocking if it’s below that. I hear great things about underquilts being game changers but have no experience with them

Trust me, you want a UQ.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Oh look, a sale! https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/hammock-gear-20-off.226016/

 

[DawnPatrol]

Thanks everyone!! As usual, Rokslide is a wealth of information. Really shortens the learning curve.

Bruce: that looks really really cold.

 

[Bowhunter93]

You will not last long in a hammock without an under quilt. That 0 degree bag does nothing when you are laying on top of it. Get a decent pad or underquilt.