Just gave myself a birthday present. Hammock ordered and should arrive any day. I read the thread on rookie mistakes. The one that most worries me, is getting cold. I don't have enough in the budget for pro insulation. Do you have any advice?

My WBBB XLC is arriving monday! I didn't feel comfortable DIY'ing that or the tarp. I plan on using my +20 mummy bag unzipped for an overquilt and am going to DIY an under quilt. Probably DIY some snakeskins also.

What are snakeskins?

quote Jeemon: "What are snakeskins?"

Snake skins are long fabric tubes, usually made of mosquito net, that you stuff your hammock or fly into. Snake skins


tony

quote Jeemon: "What are snakeskins?"

Snakeskins stay on your straps & your hammock or tarp or both slide inside them, making set up & pack up quick & easy.

Just ordered some myself

Welcome to the world of hanging, Jeemon! Your wallet will not be fat.

A lot of folks start with the WalMart blue closed cell foam sleeping pad instead of an underquilt.

If you are summer camping, I'd suggest starting with a WalMart foam yoga mat. It's about 2 inches wider than the blue sleeping pad.

Eventually you'll want a down underquilt, but no need to spend the bucks right away.

I'm with you Jeemon. I have yet to spend a night in my hammock, no trees in my yard close enough. I have a couple things to try out.

I would also start out with a blue foam mat from Wal-Mart, or the yoga mat. The yoga mat is more flexible so it won't slide out from under you in the night as much from my experience at least. They also aren't too expensive.

My thermarest worked fine last year, even in mid June. This year I'm using a DIY uq.

If you decide to use a Thermorest remember to deflate it by about 50%. It will still provide the insulation but you won't fall off as easily.

Hammock arrived. Set-up same as practiced (loaner from a friend). Ahhhhh. Time for a nap. Thanks for all the advice.

I did not use a pad my first weekend out, and suffered from cold butt syndrome. Next time I used my thermorest and it worked well except for the shoulders. I bought ENO Hot Spotlast year and it works great. I am going to upgrade to an underquilt before I section hike the AT this fall.

I was on a hiking trip at the end of October, the temps were in the high 30s/low 40s. I had no problem with just my sleeping bag (10 degree) and a thermarest pad.