Beginners Guide to 0° Hammock Camping

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Dan

[@johnmoss4624]

How much coal could a coalcracker crack if a coalcracker could crack coal?

[@teresahall5835]

HI John 🖐 sorry for the 10 month delay, BUT I'M SURE FUKT IF I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT LITTLE DITTY MY DEAR 🤔🙏PLEASE DO TELL.😁😉👍

[@sirepanfried8641]

@@teresahall5835 what language are you speaking

[@bigpakuno5034]

Prolly bout alot

[@jasongobbell3578]

Haha

[@James-dq3jo]

16 tons?

[@phantom21629]

Yes, I remember my first hammock camping trip. I had nothing but a hammock and a thin sheet. I froze my ass off and was up all night. It wasn't even cold out lol. I now do something similar to this but its with a regular sleeping bag. At first I was getting in the bag and still getting cold and was about to give up on the hammock idea. I came across a video on cold weather hammock camping and learned about this and how its not just the cold air you are keeping out, its stopping convection of your heat to the outside. It make all the difference in the world to have the bottom covered like this.

[@ethansturch9397]

yeah my first night out i had a tarp, underquilt, sleeping bag, but i hadnt tested the tarp and it rained and was heavy winds for the 2 nights i was there, first night it held up but second the pegs pulled out straight away and i just left it because it was still covering me. defo do test runs with this stuff.

[@yourbarista4154]

Of all the cold weather hammock videos I’ve seen (just a few) not one mentioned the importance of setting the under quilt properly until this one. Something so critical to a warm night and yet they don’t mention it. That’s one reason I like Coalcracker Bushcraft.

[@SiljeMeum]

I'm on the threshold for hammock camping in 0C, this video was really useful. Thank you! I'll be using a sleeping bag, but I do have a mat and an underquilt. Very, very excited. Thank you for motivation, great relatable examples and down to earth video. Greetings from Norway

[@funsekr9430]

Thanks for your viewpoints, I enjoy watching/listening to people like yourself, there is always something to learn.

[@redbeardrider2732]

Great stuff here! Thank You. I have a 3/4 UQ and zip my down jacket onto the foot end to work as my footbox. It works well down to 15⁰.

[@kennethwilson8633]

So much is made of the under and over quilt but a good large tarp put up properly is very warming too.

[@jondarling6869]

DD Hammocks makes an amazing under quilt rated down to 23 f for under $100. I highly recommend. There super light hammock is also amazing. Fits in the palm of my hand.

[@RickMacLennan]

Cannot recommend DD Hammocks kit enough. I love it.

[@kevinkelly1529]

*Their

[@JoshBevAdventures]

I love hammock camping and I love Bushcraft. So, thanks for the awesome video!!!

[@Just_Chuck_It]

I use my USGI poncho as a tarp to cover my hammock, and the poncho liner as the under-quilt. And, I use the black bag from the USGI MMS sleep system as my sleeping bag when I need it. During the summer, I use a snug-pack jungle bag. Love hammock camping!

[@kennnuthatch5724]

How do you snug the woobie tight enough? I can't get it snug enough to work.

[@jasonpettit9984]

I'm in Kentucky,howdy neighbor,,Man I'm telling ya, really Thank you ,your vids have just made everything easy , straight to the point,and I appreciate your time and knowledge,it's not easy finding out the right way the first time,and my son he's always saying Dad,come on let's go check this out,and I'm freezing my balls off in the Daniel Boone National Forest,for 3 days,Thanks brother...

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

I tossed out the hammock question in a past Q and A good to see this, I just got into a new War Bonnet

[@kennnuthatch5724]

Go super easy on the zipper!!!

[@patriotkennethburlingham7059]

I love cold weather hammocking! Great video.

[@ArielleViking]

Great hammock camping tips and tutorial for cold weather camping. 👍

[@ChibiCamp]

Just bought a hammock recently. This is very helpful!!!! Thank you very much!!!

[@DragonRoams]

Great video. Nice way to break down the under quilt adjustment.

[@marjiecleveland]

Good to know! Never used a hammock to sleep and now I may try it!

[@markdale8301]

Another interesting, informative video. Thanks for all your work, really helpful. 👍🏻

[@brucemarcille3344]

Great info. Iǜe always used a sleeping bag and now I may just give an underquilt a try. Thanks. This could change my season close (Canada being chilly, these days.)

[@outdoordauber]

Good video, Dan. This info should come on handy in a few weeks!!

[@ancientplayground]

Good points for the under quilt and over quilt. You can also add an additional UQ for extra insulation. I would also add that feet and head insulation can and more than likely will be needed. Personally, I use a down filled balaclava for the head and a pair of down filled booties for the feet. I just hammock camped this weekend and it got to -4 F. I was more than amazed at how well the down filled booties worked in my 0F sleeping bag. I got up in the middle of the night to relive myself and when I got back in my bag and hammock, I kept one foot in the booty and the other foot in just a sock for a bit to test it. The difference was notable. The booty kept the foot warm and the sock did not.

[@onespecies-human344]

I do the same thing ,I just got caught out in -16 but was expecting 0 . The double underquilt saved me !

[@MrGlobalTransport]

Warbonnet Blackbird XLC with top quilt and under quilt all day for the win, as well as Superfly tarp for these nice Florida winter rains haha. For sure it’s a lot more to pack out for the winter but I use a larger pack for the winter months anyway and a smaller pack for summer (when at the most I might use a woobie for top quilt if even needed.

[@MadDogSurvival]

Sound advice brother! Great video! Especially for people who aren’t worried about carrying a lot of weight! Best wishes brother 😎👍🏽👍🏽

[@thecraftedwoodsman]

Brudder!!! Up here in Canada, we do a thing where we hang a hammock and then cover it with a large tarp with door like ends and use a tiny wood stove to geat it... we hammock in temps as low as -35-40c or -40f!!!

[@MrFmiller]

Robert Young I bring a 12X12 Tyvek that I anchor on the back and a the front flips up for an awning. I use the awning tie down cords to pull it up under the hammock to create a cocoon. I have tape-on grommets at the ends that I can pull tight to close them off. I’m ok to 0.

[@swassige]

MrFmiller I’d like to see how this works👍🏽

[@sethralavode7948]

It’s called being homeless.

[@thecraftedwoodsman]

@@sethralavode7948 hahahaha... no not quite. We do it for fun.

[@QuantumPyrite_88.9]

We did a thing in SE Asia in the bad ole days and used body bags for hammocks up in a tree . No way is this old guy going to sleep in a hammock ever again and particularly in cold weather . ATB

[@theurbanbushcrafter6706]

Easy explanation for using bottom and top. I will most certainly share this video with my boys. Sometimes it easier for my sons to have someone else besides dad explain it to them.

[@quietlife4me]

Yes!! Perfect timing. I just got a hammock and have been playing with it in the basement working out the kinks.

[@jmsbohannon]

Look for a guy names Shug on youtube. He's the the man to go to when learning hammock stuff. He's a cold weather camper too.

[@quietlife4me]

jim bohannon - yup. I started with Shug.

[@peerx7866]

Slept in march 2005 in the Ardennes at -4 F. Yup, it was very cold. But the lone night was the most boredom I have ever experienced.

[@janetwithers7427]

Hey, thanks for the great suggestions with the sleeping bags, top and bottom ones.

[@trudiswanson9855]

WOW, good stuff to be confident with.

[@stephenshepherd1433]

Great info, at an optimum time, gonna try hammock camping next month in Western Md.

[@danmalone7819]

Super cool vid. And yes I have done all the wrong things before the cold bits my ass and I learnt. Keep them coming

[@jksurvivalbushcraft]

As always, great instructional video!

[@charliealpha4220]

I’ll never use this in Australia but you still make it entertaining viewing. P.S. 45°C (113 °F) here at the moment.

[@justinlamb3822]

I’ve felt 127F in the desert in Nevada but I live in Michigan and the hottest I’ve felt is probably 95F and the coldest it -40F lol

[@System-Update]

Fun fact: -40F is the same as -40C. So you could call it -40 FC as in Fking Cold!

[@justinlamb3822]

@@System-Update haha good one. Didn’t realize that

[@kel-jamesdevon8190]

You would definitely use it parts of Australia. There's a whole bunch of places in Australia where it snows

[@LaxinPhilly]

Not sure how I got here, but here I am, a fellow PA hammock camper. I still haven't bitten the bullet on a top quilt for all the reasons you pointed out, but my resistance is growing weak! Great video.

[@thefucrew9865]

Thank you for this, Brother ! I have always wondered about these things. However, living in Chicago, where there are limited areas that you can hang (and not have 25-40 mph winds blowing constantly), I haven't gotten to hang out overnight (nowhere in Chicago is really a safe area), much less during the winter. Keep up the great work !!!

[@TheEriegpman]

have you googled hammock stands? I diy'd a stand and sleep indoors when I can't get to the woods

[@thefucrew9865]

@@TheEriegpman, I hang inside from some of the supporting beams of my home. But, it's not the same as outdoors. 🇺🇸😁🇺🇸😁🇺🇸😁🇺🇸😁🇺🇸

[@MrSheckstr]

@@thefucrew9865 old videos and old old question but maybe this will serve for the upcoming fall and winter. My cousins recently downsized as their five kids started to get old enough to toss out of the nest and the new house was L shaped and combined with the detached garage left them with a back yard that was like the T shape piece in Tetris . So they filled in that square with a deck that was less than a foot off the ground then they built a square Pergola that stuck out into the yard. And they can hang up to five hammocks off of it (one is diagonal) and can even use simple tarps and pegs as a windbreak from any direction

[@thefucrew9865]

@@MrSheckstr, Thank you, Brother !

[@nicktant1756]

Terrific information brother thanks!

[@aazesm]

GREAT video !!!

[@Josji22]

This is a realy solid channel

[@BangBangBo]

I love when you say your channel name. I wonder how many times you can say it in a row without tripping up..

[@DuctTapeADK]

Good intro. About 10 years ago I did a lot more ultra-cold hammock camping. My lowest was -26*F.

[@eliot6989]

What kind of gear did you use?

[@DuctTapeADK]

@@eliot6989 Besides my hammock and -20F sleeping bag, I used about 1.5 inches of closed cell foam underneath me. Plus my poncho hung underneath as additional windbreak.

[@linklesstennessee2078]

Good information Dan

[@epacw4289]

Going out over the weekend in my hammock tent in the cold mountains of Pennsylvania this weekend…

[@chosenmusicartist]

I use my sleeping bag but keep it unzipped to the foot box and use it the same as over quilt👍

[@ronwilkinson5158]

Great video thank you

[@phillipmerritt1428]

Really helpful video on cold weather hammock, the way you described how to use the underquilt and the overquilt were very helpful and the best I've heard. I really enjoy your channel keep posting and I'll keep watching.

[@bronxwarrior319]

Man I like your content

[@greg9403]

Those emergency space blanket. Put in first. Stops wind and reflection of your body heat . Plus great for sitting in front of the fire, keeps your back warmer

[@christianmcdonald7746]

On the inside of the hammock to lay on?

[@thespartenkid]

No thats just going to be uncomfortable and will burn your skin from heat reflection.

[@thespartenkid]

It needs to be spaced 2" from your body to create a loft of heat.

[@mariothewhite]

Love the Salomon Jungle boots 👍

[@ladyofthemasque]

A poorman's underquilt would be a couple of opened-up trash bags duct taped together to make them long & wide enough, strung up under the hammock and then stuffed with dry grass or dry leaves. But honestly, the underquilt is worth the investment because you're not always going to find dry grass and/or dry leaves, especially in truly cold weather. Most of the leaves on the ground by that point have already begun to decay and get slimy-wet, or have frozen to the ground, and grass won't be much better.

[@Taylor_in_Southern_Oregon]

Well done Sir! Yet again. Amazing how you keep putting out one good vid after another

[@SuperPangloss]

Hammock camp all the time. And I just use one of my 3/4 zip mummy bags as a top quilt, works fine and I don't have to buy another piece of gear. But great advice on the underquilt, not really a substitute for that.

[@johnnybushman651]

This was a cool video🤔, I mean a warm video 😳 , thanks 😎

[@tony7106]

Have you ever made your own under or over quilts? If so would you be willing to make a how to video on that?

[@WellsonChannel]

Wow..nice.. support

[@dracolyth]

Your "hangle" (angle of your straps in relationship to the ground) is a bit steep. I think if you raise your straps while leaving the hammock at the same height, you'll find a much more comfortable lay.

[@nates386]

30 degrees

[@survivaltrotter-com]

see my comment ;)

[@kevinkelly1529]

🤣😂

[@keithdicataldo250]

Thanks brother

[@emailphone4728]

Thank you.

[@gravytrain8041]

The overquilt looks like the inside of the 3 piece "sleep system" fart sack, they issued me in the Army.

[@bruliet]

"Fart sack" haha. Thank you for the laugh

[@9ilest]

In your video I wish you would have added tarp set ups for cold weather to go with your introduction for TQ/UQ’s

[@ryankeane8072]

What do you think of winter socks that you pull over the whole hammock and underquilt after you get in? Are they worth it if you already have a tarp with doors and hang low so there’s minimal gap between tarp and ground? I haven’t really tried winter camping yet, let alone winter hammocking but hoping to gear up for next year.

[@Goodpatron]

Dan, you're close to selling me on the idea of the winter hammock as the go-to survival sleep system. However, I was wondering, how does winter hammock fare in terms of packing with your minimalist survival kit?

[@ancientplayground]

If you are asking if your minimal kit will be larger/ heavier for Cold weather hammock camping, I can tell you that it will. You will be replacing your big net with at least one under quilt for the hammock and a sleeping bag/ over quilt that will be rated for colder weather both of those are going to be larger and weigh more.

[@kennnuthatch5724]

Yer struggling with the sleeping bag because your trying to get IN it, sleep Under it, cheaper for temp rating than overquilts, extra one for under quilt too.

[@kevinkelly1529]

*you're

[@ricksilver7398]

What if you have a double layered hammock. Could you add a sleeping pad between the layers with an under quilt? And if so, what kind of results can you expect?

[@zoltanpuskas5279]

Setting up the hammock without a helping person laid into for try, would you recommend to crowl into yourself and adjust the lines again in case of missing the gap between hammock and underquilt? Does that really work or do you have some different advice? Always happy to look your teaching files, Zoltan!

[@BustaShenanigans]

Any thoughts on this?: I'm thinking if you layer your clothing very well(think PCU 7-layer system) and put on all your layers at night, maybe we can get away with just a hammock and a tarp suspended over it, a surplus poncho draped over the top of the hammock, snuggled up with a surplus woobie inside.

[@pauljones9746]

Hey whatever happened to the Coalcracker Emergency shelter you bragged about doing a video on back in Nov??

[@rouven6828]

thanks

[@milesb4231]

Now add realistic wind of 10 knots to that setup. How would it change?

[@LiLBitsDK]

hmm apparently all the under/overquilts they sell over here seems to be only down to 0C while sleeping bags go WAY down so where do you find lower temp ones in Europe?

[@imeldamaryphelan1523]

Do you have clothes to sleep in winter, different from your day clothes?

[@Freakshow11000]

Where do you find that over quilt? I'm a hammock guy and would love to switch out from a sleeping bag

[@obh7762]

How do I start a fire with wet wood in cold temps?

[@craigschrom8812]

So.. can you use a sleeping bag without a top or underquiilt?

[@keithamsden3093]

What manufacturer are the ones you featured in the video? Also, I'd LOVE a full series on hammock camping gear. Like you said, there is a ton of stuff out there and it is in fact overwhelming. If you could show off some different suspensions and such, I for one would be very thankful.

[@bennyvoncannon197]

Keith if you really want know hammocks just hammocks check out Shug on youtube. As far as staying warm 10 - 15 below 0 is just a day in the woods. So many making gear now i feel kind of blessed when i started they were only a few.

[@jeffsmith7617]

Those are Hammock Gear quilts.

[@jmsbohannon]

The hammock looks like a Dutchware Chameleon. The quilts are from Hammock Gear.

[@keithamsden3093]

Cool. Thanks, guys.

[@clintonminer7636]

You da man

[@jenniferstewarts4851]

And for those who are the rich campers. You add in the electric blanket, and Solar Generator. put the blanket inside the sleeping bag, going to sound strange but, depending on your sleeping bag, put the generator (battery) in there too down at your feet (works great if your short) and giggle as your hubby complains about how cold it is.

[@atwogun7751]

1:59 Your HG underquilt is certainly not rectangular. Also thanks for explaining how to "tie the ends and sides".

[@Trimble240]

Hey Dan. In reference to the underquilt, once you get in it and have someone help you set it, does it hold that setting or do you have to set it with each use?

[@johnellis4129]

Generally if your sleeping at the same angle asymmetrically (left versus right ) or straight then it stays the same IF your using a structural ridge line. If your not using a structural ridge line then your hangle will affect your sag if it is not the same every time thus changing your adjustment for the under quilt. A structural ridge line is also a game changer.

[@noggler6211]

You should check it with each use.. After a couple hangs you will be able to judge the amount of sag that is needed.. It's a lot easier with my bridge hammock, to set by myself. (REI Quarter Dome Air).. I was really toasty last weekend at 6° F..

[@Newton240sx]

I would lower your hammock a tad. With the angle the straps are coming off the hammock it will lead to much tighter and less comfortable lay. They should be around 30 degrees.

[@thecraftedwoodsman]

Depends on the model, suspension type and length of user among other things but 30 is a good start. Pretty sure his hang was just for demonstration purposes.

[@SonofChurchill]

Still had a cold night with underquilt. Grr must be how I setup!

[@howdydoody30204b]

Right, and that would be true of the cheaper underquilts. But for the modern ones made by Hammock Gear, Warbonnet, and others, that is not at all correct and trying to do that delicate little dance will probably lead to cold nights. The underquilts mentioned above are made using a "differential cut", which means that the inside liner is shorter and narrower than the outside of the u/q. That gives the u/q more of a hammock shape and makes it nearly impossible to compress the insulation in the manner that you suggest. In fact, Shug Emery advises that, when the hammock is empty, the u/q should actually lift the hammock up. I have three of the Hammock Gear units, and I can attest to the truth of this. The most important thing is to have NO VOIDS between the u/q and the hammock when you are reposing within it. For the cheaper units that do not employ the differential cut, you would be correct.

[@jtmarlin336]

I have a Lawson blue ridge hammock and I legitamite thought that the fact the quilt they make was hanging so loose was a problem

[@serdavosseaworth6115]

This setup with a fleece sleeping bag liner your good to -10C

[@brentrowan2794]

Absolutely nothing to do with hammocks but where did you get your vest that your wearing in this video?

[@ely85je]

Thank you! This will help me out a lot!

[@calebmorin6069]

i have an eno underquilt, it ran me about 100ish dollars and i don’t know if anyone with experience can tell me if that’s good enough.

[@dallie7789]

Thanks! Also interested to know what is your specific set up and suspension... stay hung!

[@coalcracker]

Video already filmed. Will be out in a few days

[@bigracer3867]

Cold is a relative term at best. Let the snow,ice roll!

[@Lazarus-aap]

I just went on my very first hammock Camping trip and also my first time camping with freezing temperatures. I didn't have an underquilt and nor did my friend. I used a fleece blanket and improvised one and I think it helped me stay warm quite well. I also used your advice about sleeping in just thermo underwear and I also think that made a world of difference. Still, if I'd go hanging with ice on the tarp again, I'd definitely buy an underquilt!! Maybe an overquilt as well... Oh and we both had an inflatable mat in there as well, which probably helped a huge deal too. My friend however had a horrible night (I just smiled the whole night through. I loved every bit of it, camping this way) so I'm wondering what the difference is... He used a fleece blanket as well, but it was way smaller than the one I used. He didn't have thermo underwear, so he slept in his pants (a windbreaking and water "proof" one) he was hanging perpendicular to me and we've set up our tarps in a way that we created a big "roof" over our camp and with the other side close to the ground. Was it his gear he used? Or the different angle of the wind? The way we placed our tarps? Or all of it? I don't know, my mate was really cold, but again, I had such an amazing experience... I just couldn't stop smiling. I was very comfortable

[@Frisbinator]

Do you always smile and laugh while your friends are DYING FROM HYPOTHERMIA?!?!!

[@TheEriegpman]

Dan, I'm not sure you were right about crushing the underquilt. You definitely don't want to over tighten anything but I think you would be hard pressed to compress the insulation. The inner fabric is made shorter than the outer fabric to allow "loft", if you see what I mean

[@jamesthornton3339]

Differential cut is the term for this. JRB and hammock gear both use this, I believe ugq does as well.

[@brianc1651]

Yeah, as long as the quilt is hanging below the hammock, you won't be compressing the insulation. The one problem is if you tighten the ends too much, the quilt can scrunch up and create air gaps.

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

Is my gear gunna git wet frum the cold air or just cold?am I gunna need ta hang dry everything even if it don't come out the sky?rain er snow I mean....

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

Got my own answer on that.the answer is yep,perty mutch gunna wake up with sum damp gear that needs ta dry befer you can pack them away without issues .

[@SonsOfLorgar]

What about putting a regular self-inflating foam bedroll in the hammock as a bottom insulator?

[@TheEriegpman]

it works and many people start that way, but keeping it situated under you in the hammock can be a hassle along with condensation. A pad is better than nothing!

[@SonsOfLorgar]

@@TheEriegpman and the old style of .5" cast foam bedroll? I'm thinking the rigidity in that would make it stay put a lot better, especially in a light weight hammock where the ends doesn't tie onto rods but in a single point

[@TheEriegpman]

@@SonsOfLorgar yes, I used my closed cell foam pad at 1st and it was fine. Btw, the hammocks with poles are bridge hammocks, the others are gathered end hammocks, I only have gathered end ones so can only speak about them.

[@ryankeane8072]

Underquilts are more comfortable. Using a pad over an underquilt has the advantage if you’re hiking somewhere where you may have to go to ground some nights. I think hammockers usually use ccf, but some use inflatable, like with a bridge hammock that has a pad sleeve.

[@Dreoilin]

Stay hangin', LOL .... to the left hahahaha

[@theroamer5468]

Been seriously considering getting into the hammock game considering some of the less than ideal places I tend to camp. So this video is perfect. Quick question, how easy is it to get out and take a leak in the middle of the night?

[@thecraftedwoodsman]

If youce been doing it for any length of time, you'll have caught onto the trick of the pee bottle. Keep it sealed at your feet and you never have to get out. Yes, it is a thing.

[@KENFEDOR22]

Another option I've learned: precariously leaning out your hammock to pee - careful not to hit your boots though!

[@garthatkinson4635]

I can't find a good top quilt that is open with the "foot box" like he is using! Can anyone recommend a brand or what I need to "search" for to find one like that!? Thanks

[@halabujioutdoors]

Outdoor Vitals recently introduced a top quilt, which you cannot customize, but very decent. UGQ, Enlightened Equipment, Hammock Gear, and more have top quilt in various configurations in stock and customizable models.

[@localdilf871]

Does the over quilt replace a sleeping bag or do I use both?

[@johnellis4129]

The top quilt replaces a sleeping bag. You can use a sleeping bag as a top quilt until you can afford (or finally make a selection of your choice-so many out there) a top quilt by simply zipping it up to your knees and turning it over.

[@dawnbentley8030]

Your theme song sounds like the theme song from Succession. Great show although a little dirty.

[@tygeron3145]

Add in the bugnet and fly, and you trap more body heat near you.

[@OldHickoryTN]

Man it would be awesome if you would put product links with your videos.

[@johnwolstenholm9102]

You can just simply get online and look around

[@Superduper666]

I prefer sleeping bags. I get one that's center zip