The PeaPod System for Hammock Warmth
The Speer PeaPod: An insulated blanket specifically
designed to completely enclose an occupied hammock in such a manner that it
provides sufficient warmth for sleeping comfort
"What
makes the PeaPod the best warmth-to-weight-and-bulk ratio yet developed for
staying warm in a hammock?" Every
time I'm asked that question, my mind wonders back to the countless pieces of
gear and endless combinations I've tried in the battle to stay warm in my
hammock. And what a battle it has been!
The
most obvious way to stay warm incorporates the sleeping pads already in
widespread use for ground campers. See
the November 2003 issue of Hammock Camping News for more information on using
sleeping pads in hammocks: http://www.hammockcamping.com/Newsletters/Nov2003.htm
However, the thickness required for cold temperatures results in unacceptable
expense, bulk, and/or weight for most backpackers. While the sleeping pad solution is workable for many folks in
warm to cool temperatures, I continued to search for a solution for subfreezing
temps.
While
many ideas instantly presented themselves over the years, most were abandoned
on the battlefield when less-than-ideal conditions proved their
shortcomings. As the challenge got
tougher, I resorted to trying less-conventional methods--unfortunately, the
results were not encouraging. After
trying and rejecting a lot of commercially available gear, I was forced to make
my own. But still the answer was
elusive, until one fateful day when a fellow tree hanger bemoaned the loss of
insulation in his sleeping bag beneath him in the hammock and wondered aloud
about the possibility of using an extra large sleeping bag around the
hammock! I instantly knew it would work
and set about making my first prototype!
The
early tests were positive and soon the PeaPod was born. It is extra long to extend the full length
of the hammock (i.e. 9 feet for an 8-foot hammock). It has extra girth to accommodate the side sleeper with knees drawn
up. It was quickly learned than smaller
dimensions result in constrictions that reduce the loft of the insulation--thus
most commercially available sleeping bags are not up to the job.
The
PeaPod has drawstring end closures and a full-length central Velcro
closure. This allows it to be
positioned around a hammock already strung between trees. The PeaPod can also be removed without
taking the hammock down. These features
are useful when the PeaPod is to be used as a warm robe in camp (more about this
later). The PeaPod can also be used in
the more-normal way as a regular sleeping bag or it can be opened flat and used
as a large blanket. Two PeaPods easily
Velcro together to make an extra large sleeping bag for ground sleeping
couples!
Velcro
was chosen for the full-length central closure instead of zippers for
reliability, weight savings, and ease of opening to exit the hammock. Searching for zipper sliders in the darkness
proved frustrating--Velcro can be opened at any point. Securing the Velcro closed is simply a
matter of grabbing each side, pulling them straight and touching the Velcro
strips together.
With
its' full-length Velcro closure, the PeaPod can be entirely enclosed around an
occupied hammock or left open as much as needed. For warm temperatures, it can be left open on top, in which case
it serves as a bottom blanket providing warmth on the bottom as well as the
sides. For colder temperatures, it can
be closed along the top, leaving an appropriate breather hole over the
face. In really cold conditions, it can
be completely closed above the face without fear of suffocation (note this does
add considerable expelled-breath moisture to the insulation above one's
face--however, there are times when the added warmth may be worth the
tradeoff)!
Note
that the PeaPod is designed to work with a top-entry hammock such as the Speer
Hammock (with ridgeline and bug net removed).
Unfortunately it does not fit around camping hammocks that have a
permanent ridgeline and bug net.
The
PeaPod is attached to the hammock by tying the end drawstrings around the
hammock end knots in such a way that the ends of the PeaPod lie just inside the
hammock end knots. The PeaPod is then
wrapped around the hammock as much as needed.
As mentioned below, the drawstrings can be loosened as needed to avoid
undue stress on the PeaPod that reduces the loft of the insulation.
Lightweight
nylon fabric with a Durable Water Resistant (DWR) finish was chosen for its'
durability, wind blockage, and quick drying in the field. Breathable fabric was chosen over vapor
barrier to allow evaporation of body moisture, which otherwise is a serious
problem below the body, especially in cold weather. Waterproof-breathable fabrics proved troublesome as they retained
too much body moisture. Vapor barriers
can be employed inside the PeaPod for extreme cold weather if desired-- for
more information on vapor barrier use, see Chapter 6, How To Stay Warm
in the Hammock Camping book at http://www.hammockcamping.com/
or the January 2003 issue of Hammock Camping News at http://www.hammockcamping.com/Newsletters/Jan2003.htm.
But the real versatility of the PeaPod
comes from the fact that it can easily be enhanced with extra insulation as the
temperature drops! While alone it can
provide all the needed protection for warm to cool temperatures (i.e. 70-45oF),
the PeaPod readily becomes the key part of a component system for colder
temperatures. Adding a top blanket
inside the PeaPod-wrapped hammock is useful for most folks. This can vary from a light sheet or fleece
blanket to a summer-weight sleeping bag as the temps drop. The top blanket fills the space above one's
body where the sides of the hammock hold up the PeaPod.
Note that blankets or quilts over the
top of one's body function better in a hammock than struggling to get into or
out of a sleeping bag. Top blankets or
quilts should have a foot pocket to accept one's feet--the foot pocket and the
sides of the hammock hold them in place.
When using a sleeping bag, turn it over so it works similar to a top
blanket.
As colder temperatures call for thicker
top blankets, the old top blanket can now be used as a bottom blanket or liner
inside the PeaPod! In this manner,
warmth at any temperature is possible!
And this allows a single PeaPod to function over a very wide temperature
range. At colder temperatures, you must
carry more insulation anyway, even if you were sleeping on the ground. In a hammock with a PeaPod, you can get
maximum warmth with the least bulk and weight by combining your gear as
components added incrementally to the PeaPod.
In other words, the PeaPod with Bottom Blanket Liner and summer-weight
sleeping bag as Top Blanket should be the weight and warmth equivalent of a
winter sleeping bag and sleeping pad used on the ground!
As ever-thicker bottom blankets are
added, the PeaPod should be loosened to accommodate the new thickness--retying
the ends with more slack is called for.
The current Speer PeaPod and Top Blanket
are both filled with 0.8" thick LiteLoft synthetic insulation. However, the Top Blanket is large enough to
fold double lengthwise when used as a Bottom Blanket inside the PeaPod--that
gives 2.4" of insulation beneath the hammock sleeper!
Other items can also be used for
additional bottom insulation. Sleeping
pads placed between the hammock and the PeaPod add great warmth without the
usual loss of comfort or hassles with slipping common to pads used inside the
hammock. Clothes in your backpack but
not worn to bed can provide excellent insulation when placed inside the PeaPod
as liners--use your rain suit, wind suit, fleece sweater, insulated jacket,
shirt, pants, long johns, etc, Even
folded ground sheets or tarps can be used in this manner for extra bottom insulation. Frameless backpacks, pack rain covers, and
stuff sacks can also be used effectively in this manner--most anything already
in the backpack can be used! The amount
of additional bottom warmth will surprise you!
But we're still not finished--at certain
times of the year, vast amounts of natures own insulation is available. Dry leaves or dry grass make unbeatable
insulation! With no extra carried
weight, all the insulation needed is often easily collected right off the
ground. Packing dry leaves or grass
into the PeaPod can give 3-5" of compressed insulation--enough for 0oF! All without carrying an ounce of extra
weight! I've used this technique
numerous times and highly recommend it--just be sure and return the dry leaves
or grass to the spot where they were collected.
The following table suggests some
specific temperature ranges for your consideration. Note that the Speer Top Blanket, at 0.8" thick, can be
exchanged for the sleep pads when used as a Bottom Blanket inside the
PeaPod! Note also that cold wind will
greatly alter the temperature ranges given in the table--testing your own gear
in all conditions at home before heading for the backcountry is highly
recommended.
How To Stay Warm In A Hammock
Using the Speer
1.6" Loft Synthetic Pea Pod
Temperature
in Degrees F (no wind)
|
|
+75 |
75-65 |
65-55 |
55-45 |
45-35 |
35-25 |
25-15 |
15-5 |
|
Fabric Treatment |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Pea Pod |
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Sleep Pads: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/4X22X47 |
|
|
|
|
x |
|
x |
x |
|
1/2X24X54 |
|
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
Mylar Sheet |
|
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
|
Top Blanket: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thin Sheet |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Speer Top Blanket |
|
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
30o F Sleeping Bag |
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
20o F Sleeping Bag |
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
|
Clothes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thermal Long johns |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lt wt |
|
|
|
|
X |
|
X |
X |
|
Med wt |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
X |
|
T-Shirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short Sleeve |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Sleeve |
|
X |
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
Socks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lt wt |
|
X |
X |
X |
|
|
X |
X |
|
Heavy wt |
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
X |
X |
|
Balaclava |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lt wt |
|
|
|
|
X |
|