hammocks for hunt

[Willow]

Ok, I've got a custom system that includes my Hammock Pro Ultralight Tarp (9x11 Cantilever cut), my Ultralight Multicam Hammock, and my A-TACS FG bug net. The total weight for these is right at 3 lbs. My tarp also has a winter mod included that allows me to close off the ends during high winds. Doors if you will...



My bed roll is not so light but it is comfy. It consists of a Mountain Hardwear 20° Piute 600 down bag, a military surplus Cascade Designs sleeping pad, a Sea to Summit Fleece liner, and a military surplus gore-tex bivy. All of this is about 8lbs.

Now, if you've ever tried to sleep in a hammock with a sleeping pad under your bag you quickly realize the problem. Usually you'll wake up with the pad half out or completely out of the hammock on the ground. They just won't stay under you because you shift around during the night and the materials are somewhat slick.

So here's what I came up with....Take your sleeping pad and slide it inside the fleece liner. Zip it up and flip it over leaving the zipper on the bottom. Slide your fleece covered sleeping pad inside your sleeping bag. If you have a tight mummy bag you may have to get an extender for your bag. But now you have a fail proof way to stay on your sleeping pad all night. You also have a fleece covered pad that wicks the moisture away as you sweat so you won't wake up cold and wet. If your sleeping pad gets a little flat during the night you can simply pull the valve out of the fleece and add some air without getting out of the sleeping bag. That's if you were smart enough to put the valve at your head.

This very system allowed me to sleep comfortably down to 10°F and up to 90°F every night for almost 2 years. During the summer I just open the bag and sleep on top of the fleece.

A couple of things I want to point out that most people are over looking is using a bug net and a gore-tex bivy during the winter. The gore-tex bivy will add about 10°F of rating to your bag and the bug net will add about 5°. Both of them trap heat without trapping moisture. You all know that when temperatures drop below freezing every single 1° of heat counts.

Another reason I advocate using a sleeping pad is it makes the hammock much more comfortable by spreading the hammock and flattening out your surface. And if no one has explained to you guys, you sleep slightly diagonal in a taught hammock. You don't sleep in-line in a loose hammock. You want it about chest high and taught before you get in.


Once you're in the hammock it will sag a bit like this...


You DON'T want to be in this hammock....unless you like sleeping in rocking chairs. You will wake up with your knees killing you because it's hyper-extending your legs all night long. This is not comfortable except in magazine photo shoots.

 

[twall13]

Interesting twall13.
I've been watching this video too, looks nice! I just emailed the guy to see if he still makes them.

https://youtu.be/YBgWrLUVv8E



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That is a legit hammock shelter for cold weather. Let us know what you find out. Heck, I might be interested in that as well.

 

[twall13]

My bed roll is not so light but it is comfy. It consists of a Mountain Hardwear 20° Piute 600 down bag, a military surplus Cascade Designs sleeping pad, a Sea to Summit Fleece liner, and a military surplus gore-tex bivy. All of this is about 8lbs.

A couple of things I want to point out that most people are over looking is using a bug net and a gore-tex bivy during the winter. The gore-tex bivy will add about 10°F of rating to your bag and the bug net will add about 5°. Both of them trap heat without trapping moisture. You all know that when temperatures drop below freezing every single 1° of heat counts.

I've used the military Gore-tex bivy in a hammock before, it certainly adds some additional warmth and helped with pad containment back when I used a pad. I stopped bringing it because it weighs 2lbs by itself and I didn't feel it provided enough benefit for the weight, especially since I don't use a pad anymore. Perhaps a lighter e-vent bivy could add some versatility for some but I don't see it fitting in with my current needs.

I'll also agree that the bug net will add a few degrees of warmth. It's a surprisingly effective wind block. I'd rather not take it if I don't need it but for those whose gear is being pushed to the limit it will boost temperature ratings by a few degrees.

 

[Willow]

I've used the military Gore-tex bivy in a hammock before, it certainly adds some additional warmth and helped with pad containment back when I used a pad. I stopped bringing it because it weighs 2lbs by itself and I didn't feel it provided enough benefit for the weight, especially since I don't use a pad anymore. Perhaps a lighter e-vent bivy could add some versatility for some but I don't see it fitting in with my current needs.

I'll also agree that the bug net will add a few degrees of warmth. It's a surprisingly effective wind block. I'd rather not take it if I don't need it but for those whose gear is being pushed to the limit it will boost temperature ratings by a few degrees.

I should have mentioned that my budget is very frugally challenged. That's why you'll see so much surplus gear and very little new name brands. Doing a quick search I think I should start making a light weight bivy in Multicam. Damn! I do need to lighten that bed roll.

But keep in mind my bug net is made from A-TACS FG material. So I can use it to cover my gear or as a hunting blind. For me, there's no reason not to take it. My 5'x12' bug net weighs 11.6 ozs and stuffs down to a 6"x9" sack. I also carry a smaller version I made for LEO's called a Sniper's Veil. It's a 5'x6' and only weighs 6 ozs in a 3"x8" stuff sack. Both of them have 550 cord sewn in so I can simply loop the cord over a limb and cinch the cord lock down. I stalk hunt so this fits perfect into my needs.