I am going to get to get some Reflective Radiant Bubble wrap from local DIY store.
Will use this in my Hennessy hammock undercover with the thin pad that came with it.
The undercover has a waterproof non-breathable bottom side.

Anyone tried this yet?

Results?

My nighttime temp range will be 15F to 0F in the New Hampshire White mountains.

I will also be using a very warm -20 down bag

I did a little research and it seams there have been a few threads about this already, BUT.. i havent seen any final conclusions yet. Maybe they never survived to write about it?

Matt.

I haven't tried it, but be prepared to sweat, and probably be cold. Since Reflectix has a mylar-type film it is nonbreathable. I doubt it's enough insulation for 0F.

Hammockforums.net is the place for answers.

A good down underquilt (JRB, Te-Wa, Speer) supplemented w/a CCF pad is my preferred cold-weather solution.

Without an underquilt? I'm gonna guess that you'll be cold.

I have no direct experience with the "reflective barrier", but I tried going w/o an underqilt, using only a pad. Temps were around 20F. Ended up dropping the hammock to the ground, cause my backside was cold.

Warbonnet Outdoors is working on this concept for the Yeti right now and its expected to come out in late 2009 or early 2010.

The Underquilt idea is out. I blew my "new gear" budget this year already.

I Will check out the hammock forums.

Thanks for the input.

Hennessy are also coming out with a new line of hammocks with the side zipper and a double layer underside, for an optional "reflective bubble layer".

I hadn't heard about Warbonnets idea yet.

No experience with reflective. I've had my Hennessy down to 20F with a walmart and thermarest prolite pad (both inside) and a 20F down bag, down sweater, pants, shirt and very thin merino wool long underwear.

What about cutting a hole in the footbox of an old bag and wrapping it completely around the hammock like a cocoon? I have seen a picture of it somewhere and have been contemplating that myself.

RussB over at whiteblaze uses a car window insul panel for mild weather.

Not sure if it is the bubble type or CCF. He also uses a garlington taco setup loaded with a couple of crumpled up space blankets.

I have zero experience with that rig, but I want to try it sometime.

Here is a link.

"Warbonnet Outdoors is working on this concept for the Yeti right now and its expected to come out in late 2009 or early 2010."

It's coming out right now and I already have one. After just a few nights of use it seems to improve warmth about 10 degrees. It's made of 70d nylon with a reflective backing and simply snaps onto the Yeti. Shown below attached to my winter Yeti.

Edited by Quoddy on 10/28/2009 15:06:17 MDT.

I was just reading the thread in hammockForums.

Looks like a great idea.

Quoddy, what temps did you use this system in? and what was your quilt / bag rated to?

"Quoddy, what temps did you use this system in? and what was your quilt / bag rated to?"

Matt... I used it with the 3 season Yeti which is, for most hangers, a 30 to 32F underquilt. I have used it with the liner down to near 20F and haven't been cold. It hasn't gotten colder than that yet. When it does I'll switch to my winter Yeti, and in combination with the liner if temperatures warrant.

Edited by Quoddy on 10/28/2009 15:05:29 MDT.

I'll defer to Quoddy's first-hand experience with the Yeti reflector add-on, but be advised that the Yeti 2/3 length UQ comes in two weights, 3 season and winter. The 3 season Yeti without the reflective add-on is good to around freezing or bit below. The Winter weight should be good into the low teens or a bit lower. The add-on liner would supplement those to low-20s and zero, respectively.

With the Yeti, you'd still need to add insulation under your legs and feet, though many partial pad solutions will work. You'll still have to deal with coming up with enough R-value to handle the temperatures you'll be facing...er...sitting...well, you know!

FWIW, the MW4 down UQ from JRB has 3.5"-4" of loft and is rated "0-10 degrees" Fahrenheit. It is a full-length UQ so no additional feet/legs insulation is needed.

Edited by Beep on 10/28/2009 15:04:04 MDT.

Can someone explain to me why it takes a 4" UQ to be comfortable at 0dF when a 4" top loft down mummy bag is comfortable to -30