Hammock and Underblanket

[oetzi]

I am about to buy a Hammock for sleeping in the woods next winter. But I have no experience whatsover about the amount of insulation needed from below.
Currrently I own an excellent poncho from Exped of Switzerland, which will double as a Tarp and also a Bivy Liner, designed to wear alone or below the Poncho, to use as a lightweight and long warm Jacket. Its warmer than the rather short Fleece Jackets, thats why I prefer it around the camp.
www.exped.com
"Bivy Liner", 59x87", 19oz
Looking at the measurements and weights, could this be adequate and comparable to the Underblankets used from Forum members? It feels rather thin, compared with any Thermarest, but maybe its ok when wrapped around the bottom of the hammock?
Its strange, I am selling Outdoor and Mountaineering equipment since about 20 years and can recpommend a suitable sleeping bag/ pad combination for nearly every occassion, but when a Hammock in Winter is concerned, I am lost.
Who can give me some hints from experience, please?

[tommy the cat]

I cant help but am interested in the reply!
I have the group buy hammock and was kinda hoping that a inflatable matress type thing under me will be fine for autumn/ warmer winter months???
Dave

[oetzi]

if its inflatable but without any kind of foam inside, it wont insulate at all. That I really know.

[gregorach]

An inflatable mat will do the job, but it's not the most comfortable or practical solution.

As for underblankets, you should judge an underblanket in much the same way you would a sleeping bag - does it provide enough insulation for the temperatures expected? Essentially, an underblanket is just half a sleeping bag, hung under you. Other important considerations are that it should be able to be hung in such a way that there aren't any air gaps between the blanket and the hammock (this is surprisingly tricky) and ideally it should be windproof and at least moderately water-resistant.

[oetzi]

Thanks for the tip.
My first idea was to suspend the undercover under the Hammock, so as not to compress it as when lying on, but tight enough to actually touch the Hammock. Maybe the Hammocks from DD are suitable.
I will do more research until autumn comes!

[gregorach]

Thanks for the tip.
My first idea was to suspend the undercover under the Hammock, so as not to compress it as when lying on, but tight enough to actually touch the Hammock. Maybe the Hammocks from DD are suitable.
I will do more research until autumn comes!

Yep, that's exactly what you're looking to do - but getting a rectangle to wrap neatly around a banana isn't easy. The group-buy underblankets have curved long edges and lots of shock-cord - and even then they can get some cold patches if you don't get it slung just right.

[weekender]

It may help or may not but in the gallery section there are pics of people that have winter camped with a hammock this may be good for ideas, other then that i havent got any details on who they were/are, but it certainly shows its possible. sorry couldnt give any more info then that

[oetzi]

The hint with the gallery was great, thanks.