so i'm new the the hanging thing. i keep reading about under quilts and top quilts. i will be going on a trip on June 19th this summer with my hammock. i've never used one camping before. should i need either of those for that time of year? my plan was to just use a sleeping bag inside of the hammock.

that time of year could still get chilly, and for the money, an underquilt would be a good addition for your hammock with your sleeping bag, used as a top quilt.
a jarbidge underquilt, made by arrowhead equiptment, out of utah would be a good 100$ investment, i own 1 and have had the 3 season down to 25 degrees.

You need an under quilt or a pad underneath- even in June. Sleeping bag on top. Practice at home outdoors or in.

The general rule is you should always have something under you as the compression of something in your hammock will give you very little insulation. There are the Costco down quilts that will be more than enough if you string it up under your setup. Depending on your setup and location you could most likely find a member of this board to lend you one as well. Can't hurt to ask. I use a 3/4 length quilt in the summer and just wear warm wool socks and the foot box on my top quilt is pretty substantial. What type of hammock are you using?

1) You'll want something under you or you're not going to get any sleep unless it's 80+ F all night long!

2) No need to get an underquilt. Just use the sleeping pad you already have for the ground. Just inflate it 50-70% otherwise it will slide out from under you. If you find you really like hammocking after a few trips then I'd invest in an underquilt!

Shug has a good video on using a pad.

Just get one - and get a good one.
You're going to get one anyway.

quote brux: "1) You'll want something under you or you're not going to get any sleep unless it's 80+ F all night long!


2) No need to get an underquilt. Just use the sleeping pad you already have for the ground. Just inflate it 50-70% otherwise it will slide out from under you. If you find you really like hammocking after a few trips then I'd invest in an underquilt!


Shug has a good video on using a pad."

Good advice here.

I've used a pad for 7 years now and cannot wait to buy an underquilt this summer for my fall trip. Pads work but are just a pain in the butt sometimes. A quilt is less bulk, no blowing up, no slipping around, no folding up and getting all the air out.... I'd spring for a quilt on day one if I was you.

I wouldn't go hammock camping without bottom insulation anymore but when I started out I did so for the first few years, even in temps a little below freezing. I won't say that they were always comfortable nights sleep but I survived.

If you don't want to spend the money for a bottom quilt use a pad. Even just a cheap foam one or a thin yoga pad. But get an extra wide one or you'll be slipping off it all night.

Alan

Agree, you need to have something under you or you will suffer from cold butt syndrome. I used a pad the first few times I was out, but now have modified a sleeping bag into a pea pod system.

quote VaderStrom: "The general rule is you should always have something under you as the compression of something in your hammock will give you very little insulation. There are the Costco down quilts that will be more than enough if you string it up under your setup. Depending on your setup and location you could most likely find a member of this board to lend you one as well. Can't hurt to ask. I use a 3/4 length quilt in the summer and just wear warm wool socks and the foot box on my top quilt is pretty substantial. What type of hammock are you using?"

I was going to bring up the Costco quilt. I have four of them now (and one in each of my kids and wife's vehicles). One of mine has a footbox sewn in and I've been recently playing with using shock cord to tie two others as an UQ to see how that would work. Happily, they work fine once you get them adjusted. I figure they are multi-use that way. Another spare I just keep at home.

So really, if one took the time to play around at home, a few costco quilts could get you by. BUT ONLY if you take the time to play around at home before you really need them on a trip.

quote KarlBAndersen1: "Just get one - and get a good one.
You're going to get one anyway."

There you go. You are going to get one anyway. That is exactly right. Unless you just enjoy being a minimalist and use the Costco quilts or this and that you will end up with one anyway.

I started with ENO Emberquilt way back. Then my friend made me a UQ. Then I got a nice zero degree from a cottage industry and all is well. If I was to combine them all and throw in my Costco's I could probably do fine in the Minnesota Frozen Butt.

I use this under my Hennessy and it fits perfectly. ENO Ember 2

I too am in the market for an underquilt.

I'm currently looking at the ENO Blaze ($299.95, and rated to -40), kind of a steep price but your suggestions of a Costco down quilt is interesting too. Maybe buy one UQ now, and rig the costco throws for the other two of us, and then next year get another UQ etc.... I'm finding this whole hammock world is getting expensive. LOL.

Found this throw at Costco for $29.00 Costco Down Throw

Randomly I did a You Tube Search - and POOF.
Costco Down Throw Blanket Underquilt Build
The guy in the video said it got him down to about 60 degrees... might not be warm enough depending on when you're tripping.

quote BasecampMom: "I too am in the market for an underquilt.

I'm currently looking at the ENO Blaze ($299.95, and rated to -40), kind of a steep price but your suggestions of a Costco down quilt is interesting too. Maybe buy one UQ now, and rig the costco throws for the other two of us, and then next year get another UQ etc.... I'm finding this whole hammock world is getting expensive. LOL.

Found this throw at Costco for $29.00 Costco Down Throw

Randomly I did a You Tube Search - and POOF.
Costco Down Throw Blanket Underquilt Build
The guy in the video said it got him down to about 60 degrees... might not be warm enough depending on when you're tripping."

They are usually $20 each when you get them at the store, if you can find them in stock.