not to deviate from the topic, but I felt this appropriate since red flare brought up heat sheets(tm).
I was in Texas this past weekend teaching some classes. Several of us rode in together on Thursday, but arrived late.
instead of setting up camp in the dark we decided on star shelter (sleep under the open stars). A big ground cloth was set out to accomodate 5 of us. A variety of pads were laid on top as were the types of bags with varying degrees of insulative properties. The only one without a bag was me.
I've spoken with Alex (Red Flare) and told him him I like heatsheet so much I use it as part of a 3 season setup. Of course, three seasons in California is far differrent than in Wyoming, or in this case Texas.
That first night was so cold. it dipped into freezing temperatures before we went to bed, as was evident by some heavy frost on the pads and bags.
come bed time, I pulled out my sleep system: Thermarest, Ultralight Pad; One AMK, heatsheet; one US, poncho liner.
Some of the other instructors kidded with my choice of sleep gear, but I assured them if I really got cold I would snuggle up with them... LOL!
The ponchliner went on me first followed by the Heatsheet as a shell, silver down. I did this to prevent from waking up in a puddle of water from condensation build up by using the liner as a barrier... worked like a champ
while it was cold outside, I managed to sleep soundly except for not having a pillow. At one point I decided to get up grabbed my daypack and returned to bed with my improvised pillow... it worked decently!
The next morning, everyone was sharing their experiences with the cold. From what I can gather, based on comments and remarks, I was the warmest of the lot, and that is a lot to say considering I'm only about 9-10% body fat.
The next night. I tried using the same setup in the hammock, but really was cold all night. I do think, however, it had something to do with the fact I was sick that day and didn't eat anything all day, let alone before bed, to keep my furnace burning.
On night 3 I changed tactics. I wrapped the Heatsheet on the outside of the hammock, silver in, and used my thermarest, along with the liner, inside
I did experience a bit of a cold shoulder, but other than that, I slept soundly. The next morning provided the evidence as to the reason for the cold shoulder. The heatsheet slipt away from the right side of the hammock, the cold shoulder side.
What I took away. Set up properly it can work and work well, but to be comfortable, in that temperature, you need more.
Alan
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