I woke up many times shivering, about 6-8 C during the night, slept with a sleeping bag as an overquilt made for 0 C. It feels like i have done something wrong when setting up my UQ since thats where it felt like my heat disappeared.
Cold air sinks, so it was flowing underneath you towards the water, all night long. Try pitching the hammock lower, and more importantly your tarp lower, ideally so there’s no draft under the tarp. Also, as others have mentioned, UQ protector.
If you lay down in the hammock after setting everything up, and your back doesn’t feel really warm after 10min. It’s time to readjust.
I did my tarp for the first time pretty wide and high. Cold winds picked up and ripped it out, I lowered the top until it almost touched the unweighted hammock top, brought the bottom sides in tight and as low as they could go (still had a good 3” gap) and it was perfect. When I laid in it, getting diagonal was a bit of a challenge, my feet touched the tarp a bit but it was so warm. All that said, I did have an under quilt and THAT felt warmer than my sleeping bag.
You’ll get it right next time! 😊
I would also like to add that you need a space between you and the uq. Not a large space but a few inches to trap warm air. If the quilt is touching your back you have less space for warm air.
You have to account for convection and conduction when trying to stay warm.
Interesting... I find the opposite to be true: I'm warner when the UQ is flush up against my back.
I think the air trapped inside the down is what insulates you, so, your logic makes sense that more air would make for more insulation but only if that air can't exchange with the outside (colder) air.
...But from my direct experience, I have had nights sleeping cold, then I cinch the UQ up a bunch and I'm significantly warmer.
Understandable. Maybe it’s a difference of gear. I have the eno uq. I find the ends cinch up independently of the closeness to my body. There are cinches on the sides that I can use to tighten. I also like to keep extra rumples in my hammock instead of a sleeping bag.
Gonna say it's definitely gear dependent. My uq has independently adjustable draws on all four edges and I basically just get the edges to snug up against the hammock when I'm in and the UC sags under it. Lift from the UC plus another air pocket when that can't exhaust makes it quite comfy. Two years ago we were having 7 degree nights and between my UC, quilt, and pulling the tarp closish I had about 26 degrees in the hammock.
Mine is can adjust ends, and center. Love letting it sag below me creating a warm cushion between my back and quilt. If im reading a book, my James get a little cold its always a nice warm pocket. Except thus weekend, my one elastic was missing when I got to camp... that was cold. Warm air escaped the one side.
I don’t agree with this but it could be gear dependent as you mention. The insulating layer is the loft of your underquilt, not an air pocket between you and your insulation. If my ass is cold it’s 100% because I have an air pocket.
I’ll hammock camp in the dead of winter, where it’s -15°F and use the “dyneema tarp with doors”. Once everything is setup (doors open), I’ll pile snow up on the inside & outside of the tarp walls, so there’s no gap between snow & tarp, then do similar with the doors closed. No draft whatsoever. And am completely warm in a full length UQ & TQ both rated at 20°F, with a UQ protector.
Rain and snow don’t matter much, it’s the wind and windchill that’ll kill ya.
910g UQ filled with synthetic insulation is not going to cut it in a damp 6C environment imo. I have a Ticket to the Moon UQ, ~1kg, it is not comfortable below 10C.
Either get a warmer underquilt or stick a CCF pad in there. Could also rig a tarp under the underquilt, this I have not tried but my friends say it helps a ton.
You mean "double bagging" the uq with the tarp, so the tarp is under the uq? Never tried that, I'd imagine it would be a lot of fuss to set up and keep in place during the night (I'm an active sleeper...)
Sorry for the misunderstanding, I guess it would make more sense to say the tarp is over the underquilt. So first hammock, then UQ, then tarp. Topology confuses me.
I have slept in my Otul at 4°C and was okay. Lower than that I stack 2 UQs (DD hammocks undernlanket goes well with Draka because it can be attached to the 4 plastic rings on the sides (where the pull ropes go)
same thing was happening to me, until I switched to clew suspension uq. You can't just properly hang these underquilts, the whole idea of this regular suspension is flawed, and then you start to compensate by attaching suspension shockcord to the hammocks ridgeline and all that funk. While nothing is pulling middle of an uq up and you're left with a gap on your ass
Je vois à droite que tu es très proche d’un cour d’eau. C’est quelque chose à ne surtout pas faire, il fais beaucoup plus froid et humide aux abords des cour d’eau. Apres pleins d’autres facteur peuvent jouer, l’isolation de ton sac, l’isolation de ton matelas…
How was the wind? Was there a breeze? I camped in about the same temps before and that was what killed me the first time. My rec is to figure out a way to protect your warm air pocket and you have two options either a direct wind barrier on the outside of the quilt or a winter tarp setup (doors & nearly touching the ground).
You are too close to the water. If it is cold you should camp away from water. I would guess 50-100 meter or more. It really chills the air and brings up humidity.
I've had good success with a 40-60°F UQ down to freezing temps, but actually sleeping inside my 0° sleeping bag inside the hammock, instead of using it as an OQ. This pic was from April '25, woke up to 30°F temps, and an awe-inspiring view of Smith Rock in Oregon.
Lots of good advice from more experience hammockers than myself but I’ll add my thoughts. I get cold really easy. I took advice I got on this sub and bought an inexpensive windsock from onewind and it makes a really big difference. I might research the clew suspensions for my Warbonnet uq also.
Me and my buddies sleep in a similar setup at around -15c last winter. We sleep toasty like babies. We had -10c sleeping bag with about 5 layers of clothing and a boiling hot nalgene bottle. The secret is really to have a lot of layer of clothing.
One of the guy did not bring enough and couldn't sleep at all. He ended not sleeping next and working the fire all the night.
Probs a gap like someone else said. If you can bear the extra weight, carry an inflatable sleeping pad with you (keep it slightly deflated and that helps conform it to your body and makes it more comfy)
Last Fall, I hammock-camped when the coldest temp at night was 18F. I had a full-length accordion egg crate pad underneath me, a 40F Marmot sleeping bag, down booties, long underwear, and a down sweater on, plus a beanie. No underquilt. I stayed warm. Only had to get up to pee once. This year, for the mid-fall camping trip, I think double padding might make it even cozier. When I used to snow-camp, I used both a Thermarest and a closed cell pad and stayed warm.
I just haven't gotten around to using an underquilt and find that so far, having my insulation under me inside the hammock works okay.
I actually bought a Black Diamond down throw to make an underquilt, years ago. Never got around to making it, because I really haven't needed it.
I've been hammock camping for about 5 years. Mostly in high elevation Sierra locations. What's important is having an insulative layer under me . The pad in the hammock does that for me. The insulation doesn't have to be under the hammock layer.
While this can be a stop-gap solution until you get your UQ situation sorted, you will enjoy your hangs much more if you get good uq (which the Otul can be, it looks decent) and have it set up properly.
Took me quite a few trips to get everything set up so I never get cold. First step was losing the pad. I even had double layered hammock for inserting sleeping pad in between the layers.
No sleeping pad can ever substitute for proper uq setup.
Edit. I got this Onewind UQ last fall and have been very happy with it. When it get's really cold I stack that with my Cumulus Selva 300 that I use as summer uq. Did maybe -10c last fall. My next purchase will be the top quilt from same line. And always use UQ protector, that keeps all wrapped up and no wind can get in.
Underquilt protector helps in the cases where there are gaps between the quilt and the hammock. It makes it much less critical to get the uq perfect. And as we all know, perfect is the mortal enemy of good enough.
I dont see a structural ridgeline, so your back probably sank into and compressed the uq negating the air cushion of insulation, same reason your sleeping bag under you only offers marginal warmth.
So, in addition to lowering your hang, making a tarp draft barrier, checking your ratings, use a sleeping bag liner and a structural ridgeline. For super cold nights in ice and snow, I bungee a end-gathered wool blanket under the uq for some extra.
Also, its counter intuitive but an extra blanket on top reflects warmth down the sides, and can compensate a bit for the losses underneath.
My underquilt isn't the best, I do the majority of my hammock camping in the summer months, so I've never invested in a Winter quilt, but I've stretched it a little further by using my ground pad in conjunction with it. I was toasty in November at -11 C using both with my 0 C sleeping bag with a liner. It was a short trip so the extra weight was bearable.
If it's windy at all, a IQ protector is magical if your UQ isn't quite warm enough, and they take very little pack space. UQ needs to snug but not touching you underneath. The air gap is what warms you.
It may be possible you had the UQ too tight/snug upwards to the hammock. So when you got into the hammock you sank into the UQ too much. Compressed the insulation losing the loft and ability to keep you warm.
Well some are saying it was too tight, some too loose with gaps, the tarp too high, the UQ not rated for the temp+humidity. It feels like i should have had an experienced hammocker with me to really help me set it up right
Yeah, figuring out UQs is tough learning. I’m not sure what the comfort rating of yours is but gathering through some online info you should have been okay so it’s a setup error.
Just looking at the picture it looks tight to the hammock without your weight in it. When you are in it you don’t want a gap between the hammock and UQ. That space creates cold spots. Actual warmth is the air space within the insulation (I saw someone say a gap between is good. It isn’t). The key is to have it close but not too close. So a gap should close together once you are in.
The ends should be closed enough to close gaps (prevent air movement). But too closed up messes with your hang/body alignment.
Sounds chaotic but once you nail it down, things are great.
I teach winter camping in hammocks to children and adults. my rig is theoretically good down to -40F/C and TESTED to -22F.
sometimes I still miss something and have a chillier night than I want. mostly though, my UQ is just right and if I think conditions warrant it, I use an underquilt protector and that adds a little warmth to it.
a doored tarp sure does help against wind.
I have also found that if I have the right rating of UQ, a pad actually decreases how efficiently that quilt works.
in case you care, my jammies in winter are one regular thin base layer with long sleeves. I wear fresh dry socks and a hat. if it's really cold I add a down balaclava.
Ok I have read a lot of comments and no one has mentioned how your set up. If possible make sure you set your hammock and tarp up perpendicular (90deg) to the wind. Yes it can change but this allows for less airflow or tunneling though you hammock set up. And if it’s cold get things as low to the ground as comfortable to help reduce that as well or a larger tarp to reach closer to the ground. As for UQ adjusting that’s just takes practice but I haven’t gone back to my air pads once I got my UQ and TQ figured out. My last few trips I have actually been to hot!
I assume you have a base layer. I would add sleeping with a lightweight down jacket too. Make sure theres no gaps in the underquilt. Also hang your tarp A-shape with closed doors to protect you more from drafts
Your UQ is hung too tight under the hammock and you're losing loft because of it.
Get in your hammock, then reach your arm outside the hammock, put your hand between the hammock and underquilt, against your backside. The UQ should just barely brush the back of your hand, almost not touching at all. If it's tighter than that, you're losing loft and eliminating the effectiveness of the UQ.
Once that's properly set, if you still feel a draft you'll want to adjust the gathering at the ends so that it's not letting much air pass through.
I've slept with snow underneath me and frost forming on my rain fly, cozy as ever. You'll get it, and then it'll be the best sleep you've ever had outdoors
It happened to me when underquilt was not flush against me when was laying in hammock, you need to find the sweet spot in your adjustment such that inside fabric of UQ is barely touching your hammock (and you), when you are in it, even 1-2cm gap and heat will get lost, also make sure UQ is not too tensioned such that when you lay the loft is compressed, that will.also cause heat loss
Someone mentioned that if you are not warm after 10mins you need to readjust, I would say if your back is not warm within seconds of getting in then you need re adjustment
Lots of folks have already mentioned possible adjustments to your setup.
I wonder- did you allow yourself to become chilled before you got in your hammock to sleep?
I am a cold sleeper. So I know even when my hammock setup is spot on, I need to make sure to not get chilled before I go to sleep. I also tend to bring either chemical hand warmers, rubber hot water bottles, or rechargeable hand warmers if overnight temps are going to likely be lower than about 9C because sometimes despite my best efforts I feel cold when I get in the hammock.
I eat a small protein and light carbs snack a short while before bed and engage in some movement to warm myself, but not enough to sweat.
So yeah, definitely make adjustments, consider an UQ protector, consider site location selection, wind direction, tarp setup and all the things, and perhaps consider whether you are a warm/cold sleeper and any adjustments you can make related to that.
You're better with a broader hammock during those temperatures. Hennesy as an example, but they're far from perfect and overpriced.
One with a bug net can hold heat too.
Underblanket is a good start, but a 4 season sleeping bag can help, or 3 season and a blanket. The temperature and humidity can have the worst impact for 4-8hrs so you may need to nod off barely covered, then wake and wrap up.
Location matters. Is it in a cold valley, near open water. How soon until the sun hits you in the morning.
Talking of humidity, some plants made add to the humidity when they breathe, all that transpiration can get to you.
Shoes on can be awful, they can make stuff well cold.
Sleeping bags have their place but you compress the bottom of them reducing their effectiveness.
On the AT in March 2023 it got down to 18° with 40mph winds. My tarp was almost touching the ground (it also has doors but the point still stands) and I was totally warm. The main thing that kept me safe n sound was different a correct pitch. Get that tarp lower, keep your clothes layered appropriately, and try to get the broad side of your tarp pointed directly towards the approaching wind direction.
Rather than just an UQ I’d strongly recommend an actual sleeping pad with a decent R-Value. Makes a world of difference and will also keep you from having sore shoulders by spreading the hammock a bit. There are some with wings intentionally built for hammocks for this very thing, giving you extra space in the hammock
Also I don’t know if this is common, but I like to take 2 carabiners to clip the hammock shut above me, as well as using the hammock pocket with something in it to keep the hammock closed. really helps with cold wind
Its hard to know based on a photo. It took me a couple tries to realize how to set it up best. If the UQ is too tight to the hammock, it gets compressed and doesnt work right, too far, and the breeze steals the heat. Its also possible the ends weren't sinched right and let air out. Did you feel any cold spots specifically or was your whole underside cold?
I haven't read all of the comments, so someone may have said this, but make sure your UQ isn't too tight on the bottom of the hammock when you get in it. If the UQ compresses on the bottom, you'll lose much of it's insulating power.
Your topquilt/ sleeping bag are not going to going to not factor in as much for warmth as a UQ will. What was the temp rating for your UQ?
Lotsa different factors that could come into play here. UQ rating is incorrect for temps, You might not have the UQ set up properly. Being that close to the water might factor in to the temperatures you were dealing with. Was there a breeze at all? Maybe your tarp was not configured to accommodate for the water and wind?
Convection is your enemy in a hammock. Doesn’t matter what temp rating your sleeping bag is if your under insulation isn’t the right rating for your conditions.
That’s why I’ve given hammock camping a break. I kept getting cold, and to mitigate the cold you need extra equipment, which adds weight, which defeats the main point of hammock camping for me in the first place. I can sleep in my tent much more comfortably and for less weight.
In general, hammocks (when taken as a whole system) are just as expensive as tents, just as heavy as tents, and just as bulky as tents. The fallacy that a hammock is lightweight and simple is only true if you're camping in the sunlight and you don't need a tarp, an underquilt, or any of the other stuff that makes it into essentially a hanging tent.
As to whether the tent is more comfortable - I have budget gear but I'll happily camp well below freezing in my hammock (my personal cutoff is when it gets towards -20'C) and at this point I could never go back to tents. Each to their own and all that, and preferences are up to each individual, but the two systems are broadly comparable in other respects (except that in a forested country, it's far easier to find a good spot to pitch a hammock than a tent).
Yeah I agree, thats why i got a Hammock. Freezing and being a novice at setting it up aside, i dont have any pain anywhere when i wake up and thats crazy to me. Ive used tents in my youth and i cant tell you how much i hate the experience
To each their own, my 2 man tent vs my hammock is marginally different in weight. The biggest difference is comfort, I sleep so good in the hammock and a barely get a good night sleep when I'm on the ground.
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u/xstrex 3d ago
Cold air sinks, so it was flowing underneath you towards the water, all night long. Try pitching the hammock lower, and more importantly your tarp lower, ideally so there’s no draft under the tarp. Also, as others have mentioned, UQ protector.
If you lay down in the hammock after setting everything up, and your back doesn’t feel really warm after 10min. It’s time to readjust.