Keep Yourself Warm and Dry

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Insulation Matters

When you’re out in the wilderness, keeping yourself dry, warm, and comfortable isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Because weather can be unpredictable at best, and harrowing at worst, you want to set yourself up for success in staying warm and safe from the elements. With your Hennessy Hammock in your pack, you have a safe place to rest during storms, but the lightweight materials aren’t always the best at keeping your warm. The Hennessy Hammock material is durable, provides some insulation and great protection from storms, winds, and more, but if you’re heading out to camp or on a backpacking adventure, a dip in temperature can be a big issue to contend with. Instead of bringing bulky clothing or heavy blankets that aren’t meant for backpacking, camping, or outdoor adventuring and hiking, there are many options for insulating your Hennessy Hammock, creating a vapor barrier for additional dryness protection, and more. Ensure that you’re protected from temperature dips, sudden rain showers or snow storms, and keep yourself safe from temperature-related conditions like hypothermia or even heat stroke with high-quality, durable solutions for your Hennessy Hammock. As you plan your next trip or adventure, don’t forget to bring the made-for-anything protection, comfort, and function of your Hennessy Hammock!

What Materials Work Best

Insulation is no joke, because not only are you keeping yourself comfortable, but creating a temperature-regulated space for yourself out in the elements keeps you from experiencing dangerous conditions like hypothermia, heat stroke, and more. The materials that you use to insulate your Hennessy Hammock are key for keeping warm. Some materials work better in the elements than others. It’s important to understand that materials will react differently in hot or cold environments and some will insulate better than others.

 

Mylar “Space Blankets”

Mylar is a synthetic material that is made from layers of plastic and metal and it’s a nifty way to utilize heat reflection technology to keep yourself from being negatively affected by temperature shifts around you in the environment. These blankets are useful for insulation purposes because of their heat reflective properties: if you wrap yourself up in the “space blanket”, your own body heat is reflected back at you, keeping you warmer for longer periods of time. However, this means that it’s not a great thing to use in conjunction with exterior heat sources, like fires or portable heaters because the blanket will not allow heat to pass through it. In addition, there is little opportunity for moisture-wicking with mylar, which may create condensation in your space. Hennessy Hammock offers heat-reflective technology in the Heat Reflective Double Bubble Pad, designed for use in five of our hammock models.

 

Down Under Quilts and Blankets

One of the most popular options for keeping warm in all weather conditions and even indoor environments is to utilize down quilts and blankets or even comforters. The term “down” refers to the material inside these blankets, which is made up of the downy feathers harvested from birds, which trap and hold heat extremely well. In addition to the warmth down provides, these feathers are incredibly lightweight, so while down quilts and blankets look bulky, they are actually quite light. Utilizing down insulation in a hammock is a popular choice among many campers and hikers because of the great insulation it provides and the lightweight qualities. Because many of the blankets and even comforters that use down are soft, breathable materials, they can also serve as insulation that wicks moisture away from the body, helping to manage any condensation issues. However, because these materials are breathable, they may also let heat out of your hammock or sleeping area, creating opportunities for chills or drafts.

 

Nylon/Silnylon Materials

As seen in the Hennessy Hammock SuperShelter 4-Season Insulation System, nylon and silnylon products are great to use for insulation. Nylon is a thin, lightweight material that is synthetically created with petrochemicals, and it has a wide range of applications, from womens’ stockings (commonly called ‘nylons’) to camping gear and just about anything in between. Silnylon is a slightly different material, and has even more heat-trapping and insulation properties. The ‘sil’ in the beginning of the name is indicative of part of the fabric’s makeup, silicone. Silnylon is nylon that has been imbued with liquid silicone, which coats the fibers to create a more weather-resistant, durable, and long-lasting material without adding any weight to it. Utilizing these two fabrics for insulation is a great way to add layers to your sleeping space without adding a whole lot of bulk or weight, and because these fabrics are generally breathable, they will help reduce condensation and humidity, too. These fabrics are conductive, so if you’re near a fire pit or using a portable heat source for warmth, they will allow in the heat, however, that means that they will let your heat out too. These fabrics are best used for insulation in less severe climates and temperature ranges, but because they’re so lightweight and versatile, they are easily paired with any of the other materials listed above for more insulation.

How To Avoid Condensation

Moisture in your sleeping bag or hammock can make a big difference in your level of comfort. When you’re sweating, in a humid environment, or just trying to stay warm in the rain, you may experience condensation within your Hennessy Hammock, creating less-than-ideal conditions for staying comfortable. If you’re battling a storm, it’s especially important to stay dry within your hammock, not only because of comfort, but also because you want to be sure that you don’t catch a chill that could lead to health issues down the road. One of the best ways to avoid condensation is to ensure that you’re using absorbent, moisture-wicking materials in your insulation. Even though it’s great for reflecting your own heat and creating a warm, safe environment inside your hammock, mylar is a non-absorbent material that may trap moisture in if it’s not installed properly, so be sure to get the right size and shape of insulation materials when you are gathering your setup before your trip.

Creating A Vapor Barrier

Utilizing the right materials to seal your hammock from any exterior humidity and moisture is an important part of keeping your sleeping space dry, warm, and comfortable while you’re out in the elements. One of the best ways to keep your sleeping space dry and your hammock warm is by utilizing the Hennessy Hammock Rain Fly option that best suits your hammock setup to keep rain, snow, and even damp debris from storms out of your space. In addition, you can also keep moisture out from below with the Hennessy Hammock UnderCover options! When you’re creating a vapor barrier for your hammock, it’s also important to ensure that your actual sleeping support sections are protected from moisture, both inside and out. Make sure to utilize the right sizes of insulation so that there are no open spaces where moisture can seep in. For this application, sealing your Hennessy Hammock with the SuperShelter Insulation Systems helps to keep warmth in and moisture out by fitting perfectly with your hammock’s shape and size.

Environmental Considerations

Of course, the weather and environments in the great outdoors are going to be variable, so insulation options are not one-size-fits-all. What may be the perfect setup for a person who is exploring the icy tundra-like wilderness of the Dakotas will definitely not serve as well for someone camping out in the humid heat of southern areas. Always be sure to check out the temperature ratings and information on the materials and insulation you use for your camping setup, and if you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out to us here at Hennessy Hammock! We’re happy to answer any questions, or you can peruse our FAQs page to learn more about the questions we get most often.
Keep yourself safe, warm, and comfortable during your next big adventure by insulating your Hennessy Hammock with the setup of your choice. With all kinds of options, considerations, and even accessories you can use, add, and customize with, having an amazing outdoor experience is easier and more fun than ever. Learn more about our company, shop our products, or contact us today!