Hammock Camping

I used to lug pup tents and dome tents around on backpacking trips. Then I discovered the Hennessy Hammock. This is now my definite preferred solo backpacking shelter system for three seasons. I am still unsure about whether hammock camping in the winter in the midatlantic is a good choice or not.

Hennessy Underquilt Experiment

Link to my coldweather hammock underquilt project using Kelli Wise underquilt pattern.

A Future Cold Weather Hammock

I have been reviewing current information on cold weather hammocking and have come up with the following possible cold weather hammock design:

Hammock constructed like a Risk/Speer hammock using 1.9 oz ripstop nylon.
Add a second bottom to the hammock using 1.1 oz fabric with DWR.
Fill the space in between with Polarguard Delta or 3D insulation. A 2 - 2.5 inch layer of insulation under the hammock should handle temperatures down into the low 20s with the sleeper using a winter sleeping bag.
Sew both pieces together along their edges.

Additionally, for further warmth, the long hammock edges could be pulled up over the user and zipped together for wind protection. A closed cell foam pad or air core pad could be added between the sleeper and the hammock for additional warmth.

This hammock prices out for materials at about $130.

Hammocking in the Winter - Is it worth it?

For me, hammocking in the summer provided a way to have a shelter system that weighed in at two pounds or less, was of a very small size for packing in a kayak, and could be used in locations not suitable for tents - such as some of the areas I paddle along river systems. The hammock in spring, winter, and fall is my preferred shelter. I can comfortably sleep in one down to 40 degrees using a winter sleeping bag, closed cell foam pad, or air pad.

Below 40 degrees it is possible to hammock camp. The question becomes, is it worth it? Here is the gear comparison:

Three Seasons

Hammock

Tarp

20 degree sleeping bag

under bag insulation device -

reflector or air core pad or foam

Winter

Hammock

Tarp

0 degree sleeping bag

Under bag insulation device - large air core pad or large foam

Underquilt system (as bulky as my 20 degree bag and weighing another 2 lbs).

And I need to note that the winter hammock would not take me down into some of the temperatures I camp at.

For less than the price of the underquilt I can buy a winter bivy sack for my winter sleeping bag and use a tarp and pad. This combination will take up less pack space, be more weather resistant, and weigh less than the winter hammock system I was considering above. I will experiment with this combination this winter.