How To Stay Warm In A Hammock

A hammock is often a comfortable way to sleep when you go camping, but one of the biggest concerns about hammocks is whether they will keep you warm at night.

Comfort is great, but the last thing you want is to be awake all night because you can’t get warm. 

Nobody wants to spend the night freezing cold when camping, as it can often zap all of the fun out of the adventure, and leave you with no energy to explore the next day.

This is why it is really important to find the best way of keeping warm throughout the night.

In this article, we are going to talk you through some of the best ways to keep warm in a hammock when you go camping, and talk about when it may be time to give up the hammock and opt for something warmer and more reliable.

This will help you to be as prepared as possible for your next camping trip, especially if it is going to be cold outside.

How Cold is Too Cold for Hammock Camping?

People that go camping regularly will typically ditch the hammock and opt for a tent when the weather is around 32 degrees.

While there are some people that will brave hammock camping in all conditions, it is recommended that you opt for something warmer if the temperature is at or below 32 degrees.

The best thing to do in this situation is to be prepared with all of the right equipment to help to keep you warm throughout the night.

You should also be prepared to give up if it gets too cold, which is why it is better to check the weather forecast before your trip. Nobody wants to get hypothermia, so you should do your best to keep warm.

Is it Warmer to Sleep on the Ground or in a Hammock?

A hammock is typically going to be colder than a tent because they are not as efficient at preventing wind chill unless you are using an abundance of other accessories.

Wind chill can make your hammock feel much colder than you would be if you were in a tent, as a tent would work to keep the air inside stagnant, keeping your warm body heat closer to you. 

A hammock also allows cold air to pass through your body, which will work to keep you colder, and even though there are some ways to reduce the coldness that a hammock provides, you may never get as warm as you would be in a tent.

Hammocks are not particularly good at reducing wind chill when you are laying in them, especially if you are the only one inside the hammock.

On the other hand, a tent will work to keep the air inside of the tent stagnant, so your body heat is more likely to remain the same. This is because there is no breeze to sweep away your body heat.

This is a really important part of staying warm in colder temperatures, and you should be working to minimize the reduction of heat by as much as possible.

There are many ways that you can do this, and we will talk more about this further on.

How Do You Winterize a Hammock?

You can choose to winterize your hammock to ensure that you are going to be as warm as possible during the night, and we will tell you exactly how you can do this yourself below.

Use a Good Sleeping Bag

A simple blanket is not likely to be enough to keep you warm when you are out camping in temperatures under 40 degrees, which is why it is important to take extra measures to keep warm.

Something that will work to provide you with lots of extra warmth and protection from the cold is a good sleeping bag, and the mummy-style sleeping bags are typically the best for the job.

You should always check the rating for the sleeping bag that you choose to ensure that it will be sufficient for the conditions that you will be camping in.

Ideally, you should get a sleeping bag that is rated at 15 degrees or less. Those with a down synthetic fill are great for keeping you warm, and you should always make sure to cinch the good closed around your head to keep warmer. 

Use a Sleeping Bag Liner

If you are planning on going camping on a regular basis, then you might also want to invest in a good sleeping bag liner, which will provide an extra layer of warmth to your sleeping bag.

They are also really lightweight, which makes them easier to carry.  As well as all of this, they are perfect for eliminating cold spots near your hips, shoulders, and feet.

Use a Pillow

A pillow will provide an extra layer between your head and your coldness of the hammock, which can keep you much warmer. It will also provide additional comfort, which will allow you to get a better night’s sleep.

Get an Under Layer

When you are using a hammock, the weight of your body will compress the insulation and minimize its ability to keep you warm. You can use an under layer underneath you to keep warmer.  

Under Quilts

You can also opt for an under quilt if you think you are not going to be warm enough. Adding an under quilt to your hammock experience is going to ensure that you are warmer than you would be by using just a blanket.

Top Quilt

A top quilt is another great thing to take with you as they will provide extra comfort when you need it the most. They do not have a full zipper like a sleeping bag, which makes them easier to get in and out of.

This extra layer will work to trap in your body heat and help to keep your warmer for longer on top of all of the layers that you are using.