HAMMOCK CAMPING NEWS for August 2003

 

Here you will find the latest hammock camping NEWS and IDEAS, including industry-related event listings, new products, trip reports, gear reviews, hammocking tips, links to additional information, and much more.  This F-R-E-E e-newsletter is a great way to share hammock camping information with the outdoors world; thus submissions or links from others are accepted subject to editorial review.  We don't accept advertising.  We don't share or sell your email address.  This e-zine newsletter is now distributed through Yahoo Groups.  Note that this is a newsletter distribution at Yahoo Groups and only one message a month (the newsletter itself) will be distributed.  Member postings are not allowed; however, feedback from members can be sent to the editor.  A separate bulletin board for the exchange of member messages has also been set up at Yahoo Groups (see below).

 

New subscribers to this free newsletter can sign up online at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hammock_Camping_News, or send email to: Hammock_Camping_News-subscribe@yahooglroups.com.  To unsubscribe, follow the easy instructions that accompany each issue.

 

Back issues of HAMMOCK CAMPING NEWS are archived online for F-R-E-E viewing and/or downloading at: http://www.hammockcamping.com/Newsletters/NEWS.htm

 

 

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                IN THIS ISSUE FROM SPEER HAMMOCKS  August 2003

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1.      Hammock Camping News

2.      Feature Article--Hammock Hangers Campout  Sep 20!                

3.      Hammocks in Use

4.      Tip of the Month

5.      Camping Hammock Manufacturers

6.      Other Hammocks Suitable for Camping

7.      Camping Hammock Accessories

8.      Misc Online Resources

9.      Speer Hammocks Calendar

10. Upcoming Feature Articles

 

 

 

1----------------------HAMMOCK CAMPING NEWS------------------------

 

A.  DID YOU MISS A PAST ISSUE?

Postings of each newsletter on Yahoo Groups will be left on the home page for subscribers to view any time (go to our Yahoo Groups Hammock Camping News home page).  Subscribers and non-subscribers can view and download the free back issues at hammockcamping.com.  However, some of the many web links in the newsletters do not survive in the email versions--if this happened to yours, you might want to download the newsletter from the hammockcamping.com site.

 

 

B. HAMMOCK CAMPING BOOK PUBLISHED!

Speer Hammocks published Hammock Camping: The Complete Guide To Greater Comfort, Convenience and Freedom by Ed Speer in January.  Everyone's initial reaction has been positive and early sales are off to a good start.

 

The book is based on Ed's many years of hammock camping around the world and his experience making and designing his own hammocks. In addition to key chapters on "How To Stay Warm In A Hammock" and "How To Make Your Own Hammock", the book contains numerous entries from Ed's trail journals that show just how hammocks can be used in actual wilderness settings.  The book is well documented with numerous photos, drawings and tables of information. For those not inclined to make a hammock, one chapter presents brief reviews of all the commercially available camping hammocks. Appendices give valuable information on Ed's hammocking tips, hammock manufactures, the Leave No Trace organization, and web links to additional hammock information. This book is sure to become the standard reference manual on hammock camping.  Autographed copies and free shipping on all orders from Speer Hammocks. Order online at http://www.HammockCamping.com or call (828) 724-4444, 9-5 workdays--$19.95, free shipping.  Also available at major Internet book sites or a bookstore or retail outfitter near you.

 

 

C. HAMMOCK CAMPING WEB SITE

http://www.HammockCamping.com.  This site provides a general exchange of hammock camping news and information. Excerpts from Ed's new book and F-R-E-E copies of these newsletters are featured here, as well as lots of free hammock camping tips. The site includes instructions for ordering Ed's book.  Anyone wishing to post information on this site should contact us at: Ed@SpeerHammocks.com.

 

 

D. HAMMOCK CAMPING-L Discussion Group

Join fellow outdoor enthusiasts in an open discussion on all aspects of hammock camping. Learn from the experts before you buy or make your own. Or help others by sharing your knowledge. The widespread use of camping hammocks is the latest development in wilderness travel. Be a part of this exciting phenomenon. The Hammock Camping-List is hosted on Yahoo Groups and works like other online "lists;" however you do not have to be a member of Yahoo in order to join. All you need is a valid email address. NOTE that subscribers to this free Hammock Camping News e-zine are not automatically signed up for the bulletin board (you must sign up yourself).

 

In the past month alone, the following topics were discussed on the List:

 

Appropriate tarp size

Adjustable hanging straps

Avoiding tree damage

Bears and hammocks

Bivy use of hammocks on the ground

Breaking camp with a hammock

Buying a hammock

Changing clothes in a hammock

Cleaning hanging straps

Cold mountain temps in summer

Customer support from hammock manufacturers

Cutting Z-Rest pad for hammock use

Double bottom hammocks

Extending webbing straps w/ water knot

Fuggoagy

Full-time hammock use

Garrington Taco bottom insulator

Hammock camping trip reports

Hammock comfort

Hammock hanging gear

Hammock ridgelines

Hammock use in the bedroom

Hammocks in high wind

Hammocks in the rain

Hammocks by Speer, Hennessey, Clark, Byer, Bana, Amazonas, Nomad Travel,          

        Tammock, Tease and others

Homemade Snake Skins

Homemade Speer hammocks

Kids and hammocks

Knots for hamging straps/ropes

Mosquito bites through hammock bottom

Mosquitoes

Mounting hammocks to walls

Multiple hammock ownership

Neat Sheet bottom insulator

Permethrin insect repellent

Proper setup of hammock & tarp

Reflective Mylar blankets

Rigging hammocks side by side

Sleep pads in hammock

Sleeping diagonally in hammocks

Snake Skins

Strength of webbing bar tacks

Suitable hammock fabrics

Suitable sleeping bags in a hammock

Suitable webbing straps

Summer hammock use

Thin sleep pads in hammocks

Unexpected flipping over of hammock

Warm weather hammock use

Wearing fleece in hammock

Windshield reflector pad

 

In addition, numerous photos of hammocks in use were posted, promising new modifications to hammock designs were posted and discussed at length, and some hammock-use reports were provided from around the world.  All messages are archived and searchable by members.  Whether you are a novice or a veteran hammock user, there is much to learn and share on The Hammock Camping List!

 

To join, send email to: hammockcamping-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Or sign up online at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hammockcamping

 

 

E. MAKE-YOUR-OWN HAMMOCK KITS NOW AVAILABLE

It's fun and easy to make your own camping hammock with the simple kits from Speer Hammocks. Based on a successful hammock design, the kits come complete with all the fabric, webbing, Velcro, pull tabs, guidelines, ridgeline, hardware, etc. needed to make a complete hammock with bug net and rain canopy. Even the thread is included! Making your own hammock is highly rewarding and each one should give years of satisfactory use. The only thing needed is a household sewing machine and minimal sewing skills (only easy edge hems, straight stitches, and one flat felled seam are required). Check out the kits at: http://www.SpeerHammocks.com

 

 

F. Join Leave No Trace!

As hammock campers we have the duty to not only act responsibly in the backcountry, but to also set a proper example for others to follow.  One of the great advantages of hammock camping is the ability to reduce our adverse impact on the environment.  Everyone is encouraged to join and support the worthy Leave No Trace organization and to follow these outdoor ethics.

 

 

G. WanNA be a vagabond?

Chris Damitio tells how to chuck it all and live on a bum's budget!  He's written a book about it--ROUGH LIVING: TIPS AND TALES OF A VAGABON; a raw collection of stories and suggestions about how to see the world on a bum's budget. Available at: http://www.booklocker.com/books/1097.html.  Keep up with Chris at: http://www.geocities.com/rough_living

 

 

2-------------Upcoming Hammock Hangers Campout! -----------------

 

Join us for the third Southeast Hammock Hangers Association campout on Saturday, September 20!  It's FREE!  This is an informal group event and everyone is welcome--veteran, novice or future hammockers.  See, learn and share your knowledge with other hammock enthusiasts.  This will be an easy overnighter with an enjoyable 5-mile one-way hike from the cars.  We will meet mid-morning Saturday and hike together to the campsite, returning to the cars on Sunday. 

 

Join me, Ed Speer, author of the Hammock Camping book and editor of the Hammock Camping Newsletters for a fun late-summer weekend.  Previous trips were run in Feb and April of this year and we had a lot of fun; this is another chance for hammockers to show their stuff, share ideas, learn from others, and be a part of the 'new way'.  Meet old friends and make new ones!  Check out the newest stay-warm gear!  Everyone will be responsible for his or her own transportation, gear, food and behavior; however, we will meet at the trailhead and hike in together.

 

The plan is to camp on the famous Mountains-To-Sea Trail along North Harper Creek in the Pisgah National Forest near Mortimer, Caldwell Co, NC (between Blowing Rock and Lenoir, NC; about 40 miles NW of Hickory, 20 miles NW of Lenoir, and 15 miles north of Morganton, NC. Access is via Interstate 40, NC-181 or US-321).  This area, The Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River area is NC's secret wilderness treasure with numerous unspoiled mountain streams and spectacular waterfalls.


 We will hike in 4 miles along the beautiful cascading North Harper Creek, a tributary of Wilson Creek.  We will camp Saturday nite and hike out 1 mile on Sunday.  We will shuttle a vehicle/s to each end.  There will be plenty of time for
visiting waterfalls and swimming in the creek.

 

The hike requires 8 stream crossings--this means fording rocky streams in ankle-to knee-deep swift water!  The water should still be comfortably warm with autumn just nipping at our heels.  Fabric tennis shoes or sandals with secure straps are recommended for the crossings--wearing the same shoes for the hike in eliminates the need to change at each crossing.  Extra dry shoes for camp are recommended.  Expect one stream crossing on the way out Sunday. Carrying two hiking poles/staffs will make the crossings safer. 

 

Camp will be a large open grove of holly trees on a flat bench along the creek--plenty of room for up to 30 hammocks, plus unlimited space for tents or tarps.  We will begin the hike at 11am on Saturday (plan for snack lunch at Harper Creek Falls, 1.3 miles in). The 4-mile hike in on Saturday is moderate, while the 1-mile hike out on Sunday is strenuous. We will shuttle back to the cars by mid-day on Sunday.

 

Expect daytime temps of 40-75F and nighttime temps of 25-50F.  It's generally still quite warm and mild this time of the year, however passing cold fronts can drop the temperature significantly.  Should fowl weather cause the trip to be canceled, notices will be emailed to individuals as well as posted on Hammock Camping-L


Access is from Lenoir or Morganton, NC; both accessible via I-40 and/or US-321.  On I-40, Morganton is about 55 miles east of Asheville and 95 miles west of Winston-Salem.  Detailed driving directions to the trailhead are given below.

 

There are plenty of additional spectacular trails in this area for folks looking for more adventure before or after the weekend--hiking, kayaking, fishing, waterfalls, etc!  Expect some early fall colors.


Check out these links for info on the area:

http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/wilson_creek.pdf
This is an informative Adobe Acrobat article on Wilson Creek


http://www.mountaintimes.com/summer/hiking5.php3
Short info on Wilson Creek hiking


http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/wilson_creek1.htm
Waterfall pics! Harper Creek Falls is the one we will see!

 

To purchase the trail map:  Pisgah National Forest's Wilson Creek Trail Map

http://www.ezflyfish.com/ncustrailmap.html

This map covers all the trails in the area and I will have mine on the hike.  The map is not required to attend the hike; but some folks just like to have their own.  The nearest ranger station where you can buy the map is listed in the notes below.

 

 

Access From I-40 (mileage is cumulative from exit 100 on I-40)

 

0.0  Exit 100 (Jamestown Rd & Glen Alpine exit) on west side of Morganton, NC; service station

Follow Jamestown Rd north  (Glen Alpine is to the south)

 

1.9  Jct Jamestown Rd & US-70; KFC, Taco Bell, gas station

Continue north on Jamestown Rd thru traffic light

 

2.8  Jct Jamestown Rd & NC-126 West; Jamestown Rd becomes NC-126 East

Continue straight ahead thru traffic light on NC-126 East

 

3.4  Jct NC-126 East & NC-181; restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, drug store, K-Mart

Turn left (west) onto NC-181 at traffic light; follow NC-181 west out of town

 

14.0  Space gas station (small country store)--last chance for gas, check your gauge!

 

14.1  Jct NC-181 & SR-1405 (Brown Mountain Beach Road--paved country road),

Turn right (east) onto SR-1405 and pass Smyrna Baptist Church on left, continue east on SR-1405

         

19.3  Jct SR-1405 & SR-1328 (watch for sign: Pisgah National Forest Campground--Mortimer) 

Turn left (north) onto paved SR-1328; follow north past Brown Mountain Beach campground, pavement ends, continue on gravel SR-1328 parallel to Wilson Creek, note numerous pull offs for creek access

 

26.7 Harper Creek Trailhead  (trail # 260) on left (west) side of road--watch for small sign!; limited parking along road; meet here  (It is 1.2 mi north to NC-90 at Mortimer)

 

NOTES:

For those driving south on NC-181, the jct with SR-1405 (Brown Mountain Beach Road--paved country road) is 2.6 mi south of the NC-181/Blue Ridge Parkway jct. Continue with directions above.

 

For those driving south on US-321: take paved NC-90 west from Lenoir; at Collettsville, turn left (south) onto paved SR-1337; follow SR-1337 for 3.2 mi to right (north) turn onto paved SR-1328. Continue with directions above.  Note: do not follow NC-90 all the way to Mortimer--it soon becomes a very curvy, long and narrow gravel road.

 

Food, gas & motels available at I-40 exits 103 & 105; also at intersections along the US-64/US-70/NC-18 Truck Route around west side of Morganton; hospital at exit 105 (NC-18)

 

For those approaching from the west on I-40---Exit 90 Nebo & Lake James Exit; US Forest Service Grandfather District Ranger Station located on access road on north side of Interstate; Wilson Creek Area Trail Map available for purchase

 

We will meet at the Harper Creek Trailhead (trail #260) and shuttle some cars to the north trailhead.  Hike begins at 11 am Saturday, Sep 20.  Do not leave valuables in parked cars.

 

Signing up is not necessary, but letting me know will be appreciated--you may email me at: ed@speerhammocks.com or call (828) 724-4444


Hope to see everyone September 20th! ....
Ed "Not To Worry" Speer

 

 

Take a hammock on your next wilderness trip

and experience the wonder of nature all over again

 

 

3---------------------Hammocks in Use July 2003--------------------------

 

Mountain-To-Sea Trail, North harper creek, nc  July 4

This overnight hike provided a chance to again test my hammock setup in the rain when a late afternoon summer thunderstorm blew in.  Lightening and heavy rain greeted me at the campsite, but setup was a snap since I was carrying my 8X10 tarp in an outside pack pocket.  After selecting two perfect trees, I quickly put up the tarp and staked it out.  Once under the tarp, I opened my pack and pulled out my hammock, which went up next.  With a dry and comfortable bed, it was now time for a short power nap.  Ohhh…falling asleep to the sound of heavy rain on my tarp!  Later I pulled my favorite trick and even cooked dinner from the hammock while the rain poured! 

 

I had the wilderness campsite to myself, even though several thousand-holiday weekenders were crowded into the nearby road-accessible campsites!  Less than an hour's hike was all that separated me from them.  Or was it?  With my hammock and willingness to leave the beaten path, even in the face of stormy weather, I clearly had the advantage.  The solitude was my reward.

 

The next morning, I lounged in the hammock, waking slowly and eating breakfast.  The storm had blown itself out during the night and the early morning sky was clear.  Before breaking camp, I tried various hanging techniques--which will be the subject of a future article. 

 

On my way back to the car, I caught up with the weekend crowds at a spectacular waterfall.  Soon another afternoon thunder bummer sent us all scrambling!  The last mile of trail was a stampede of drenched day hikers hurrying back to the trailhead.  Although the rain was not too cold, the thunder was loud, the lightening was close, and it did rain hard!  I was happy knowing I camped dry last night and wasn't camping in a tent tonight like most of the folks racing down the muddy trail to check their camp.

 

Ed "Not To Worry" Speer, Marion, NC

 

 

Appalachian Trail, Deep gap to wayah bald, NC  July 14-17

Paul and Dave arrived right on time--quite a feat after 5 hours of driving!  I'd slept in my van at the parking lot atop Wayah Bald--the sunrise was breathtaking and now the early morning fog was just beginning to rise from the Franklin Valley below.  After hellos and photos, we pilled into Dave's pickup and headed for Deep Gap, leaving my van here.  We would hike 38 miles over the next 2.5 days before we returned.

 

This was going to be an interesting hike--all three of us were accomplished lightweight hikers and hammock hangers as well!  Paul had his Hennessy Racer, Dave his homemade double-bottom Speer Hammock and me, of course my old faithful red Speer Hammock and green PeaPod.  The gear talk never stopped! 

 

Camp the first night was a stealth site south of Mt Albert.  We'd cooked dinner a few hours earlier at a water source on the trail and now needed only to find suitable trees.  As darkness approached, we quickly located a suitable site well off the trail--a gently sloping open area with numerous trees.  We soon had all three hammocks up and, after inspecting each turned in.  The trail today was difficult and sleep came quickly.  Without the threat of rain, Dave and I elected to forgo our tarps and were rewarded with views of the stars and later, the moon.  I even got through the night without the bug net, but Dave wasn't so lucky and set his up during the night.  The gnats that were so bothersome during the day disappeared at night and only a few mosquitoes came by to visit after dark.

 

After breakfast the next morning, we climbed to fantastic views on Mt Albert--again the valley fog had not yet burned off and provided great photo opps.  Partially cloudy skies suggested a change in the weather and provided welcome relief from the otherwise sunny and hot conditions.  Afternoon hiking was quite enjoyable in the cloudy coolness. 

 

Camp on day two was an established campsite beside a small stream.  We got the tarps up just as it started to drizzle.  After a short power nap, I joined the others in fixing dinner.  However, renewed rain ran us back to our shelters where each then cooked their own dinner.  As usual, I lay in my hammock and cooked on the ground beside me as the light rain continued.  By the time dinner was over, darkness had driven the gnats away and again I spent the night without the bug net.  It rained lightly off and on all night--perfect sleeping!

 

We got an early start on day 3 and by mid-day the hike was over--we summitted Wayah Bald again to grand views.  On our drive out, a stop at an all-you-can-eat buffet in Franklin was an appropriate ending for our hike.  Gear talk continued throughout the meal!  Back at Dave's vehicle at Deep Gap, we said our good bys and promised to hike together again.  Dave and Paul disappeared west toward GA and AL while I drove east.  Thanks guys for an enjoyable hike!

 

Ed "Not To Worry" Speer, Marion, NC

 

 

4------------------------------Tip of the Month---------------------------------

 

The following handy hammocking tips have recently come to our attention

 

·   Spray your hammock, bug net and straps/ropes with permethyrin insect repellant to discourage bugs.  Can even prevent mosquito bites through the bottom fabric (reported to be serious problem with some hammock fabrics).  Spray cans of permethyrin (such as Sawyer or Repel brands) are available at most stores where insect repellants are sold.  Treat outside of hammock only and avoid spraying on your skin--follow directions on the can.  Avoid products with DEET since it will melt plastics like nylon and polypropylene.  For more information, check: http://tinyurl.com/h4m0

 

·   Set up your hammock with considerable sag--the MORE sag in the unoccupied hammock, the MORE comfortable it is!  Hard to believe, but it's true.  Over tightening a hammock can result in uncomfortable shoulder squeeze, the inability for the occupant to lie slightly diagonally across the centerline of the hammock, and adds possibility-damaging increased stress to the straps/ropes.  Yes, for a given weight, the more sag, the LESS stress there is on the straps/ropes!  It all has to do with physics and the angle between the hanging straps/ropes and the horizontal--for a given weight, the greater this angle is, the less the stress.  However, people with excessive weight may have no option but to tighten the hanging straps/ropes in order to keep from dragging on the ground.  But since their occupied hammock now sags considerably, thus increasing the angle between the hanging straps/ropes and the horizontal, they are still decreasing the stress on the hanging straps/ropes.

 

·   Secure knot for tying hammocks with end loops.  Check this site for easy method of attaching hanging straps /ropes to a hammock with end loops: http://hammockjungle.com/care

 

·   Adjustable hammock hanging mechanism.  Convenient tensioning device.  Check it out at:

          http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hammockcamping/message/2142

 

·   Two hammocks tied to three supports for intimacy!  Two hammocks can be attached to the same head-end support with the foot-ends attached to two separate but close supports.  Takes three trees, but can be very intimate! For couples only!  Use your imagination!

 

·   The original TreeHugger straps

          http://www.leviinnovations.com/TreeHugger hammock straps.htm

 

·   To join flat webbing lengths, use a Water Knot.  Very secure.  See:

          http://www.western.edu/wscmrt/docs/pdf/rope_trng.pdf

 

 

5-----------------Camping Hammock Manufacturers---------------------

 

The following is a list of manufacturers that make and sell camping hammocks (only secure, comfortable and complete hammocks with bug net and rain canopy are included). Manufacturers of some other hammocks that might be modified for camping use can be found in the next section. 

 

Speer Hammocks, Inc.

34 Clear Creek Road

Marion, NC 28752-6407

828-724-4444

http://www.speerhammocks.com/

Email: info@speerhammocks.com

 

Hennessy Hammock Co.

637 Southwind Road

Galiano Island, BC

Canada, V0N 1P0

888-539-2930

http://www.hennessyhammock.com/

Email: info@hennessyhammock.com

 

Clark Outdoor Products

4637 South 300 West

Salt Lake City, UT 84107

800-468-4635

http://www.junglehammock.com/

Email: info@junglehammock.com

 

Lawson Hammock Co.

PO Box 12602

Raleigh, NC 27605

919-829-7076

http://www.lawsonhammockco.com/

http://www.tbcinc.com/hammocks/hamindex.html

 

Crazy Creek Products

PO Box 1050

1401 South Broadway

Red Lodge, MT 59068

800-331-0304

http://www.crazycreek.com/

Email: chairs@crazycreek.com

 

Terrelogic, Inc.

477 Brunswick Ave.

Toronto, Ontario

Canada, M5R 2Z6

888-693-7923

http://www.terrelogic.com/

Email: mdj@terrelogic.com

 

Laid Back Designs, Ltd.

Suite 160, Unit 3

304 Stone Road

Guelph, Ontario

Canada N1G 4W4

800-465-7519

http://www.travelsource.com/travelstore/lbd/lbd.html

Email: sammyd@mgl.ca

 

New Tribe, Inc.

5517 Riverbanks Road

Grants Pass, OR 97527

866-223-3371

541-476-5804

Email: newtribe@cdsnet.net

 

Four Season Hammocks

1236 Oxborough Lane

Fort Collins, CO 80525

877-282-7145

http://www.mrhammock.com/

Email: mrhammock@verinet.com

 

Siam Hammock

Tawatchai Jaranai (Eff)

80/2 Prachachuen Road 33

Ladyao Jatujak Bangkok 10900 Thailand

+66-1869-8988

http://www.siamhammock.com/

Email: f_goodfeeling@yahoo.com

 

Tammock Trading + Marketing  New!

Rolf + Thomas Schneeberger

Steinenvorstadt 79/4

CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland

+41 61 281 73 33

http://www.tammock.com

Email: info@tammock.com

 

The Trease™  New!

Trease.Biz

PO Box 234

Colchester, VT 05446

http://members.aol.com/treasebiz/

Email: mailto:treasebiz@aol.com

 

 

6---------------Other Hammocks Suitable for Camping-----------------


Some hammocks that do not come with a bug net or rain canopy may be modified for hammock camping.  While many hammocks offer this potential, the following ones may be promising.  Note that a proper bug net and rain canopy must be added to these hammocks in order to make them suitable for serious camping use. 

 

Bliss Hammock fabric bottom; various retailers (Google search bliss hammock)

Byer of Maine   solid fabric hammocks; several models

Exped Expedition Equipment   Scout Hammock; ripstop nylon bottom

Nomad Travel Tropical Hammock (search Sleeping Essentials), double bottom

Paradise Hammock  parachute silk

Sportsman's Guide  Guide Gear® Camp Hammock, solid nylon bottom

Ticket To The Moon Hammocks

 

 

7----------------------Camping Hammock Accessories-------------------


This list includes useful but often hard to find camping hammock accessories.  Web searches and/or eBay auctions may turn up these and other suitable accessories.  This list will be expanded over time. 

 

Sleeping Pads

Exped Expedition Equipment  Down-filled air mattress

High Country Outdoor Products  Mt Washington closed-cell foam

Oware  closed-cell foam

Quest Outfitters  Thin, extra-wide closed-cell foam; must be cut to size

Target Stores   27" wide closed-cell foam

The Coleman Co  24" wide closed-cell foam 

Therm-A-Rest  various self-inflating & closed-cell foam pads

Seattle Fabrics, Inc  Thin, extra-wide closed-cell foam; must be cut to size

Slumberjack Products  covered and uncovered closed-cell foam

Speer Hammocks, Inc   extra wide, thin closed-cell foam & reflectix

Sportsman's Guide   closed-cell foam w/ reflective bottom coating

Stearns, Inc  Inflatable, various models

Stephenson's Warmlite  Down-filled air mattress

Wal-Mart  Ozark Trail Egg Crate Camp Pad, 24" wide closed-cell foam

 

Bug Nets

Nomad Travel  several models (search Mosquito Nets)

 

 

Insulation Around Hammock