NEWS

Clark's Z-Liners offer benefits over standard underquilts

Insulation is a big consideration when camping in any hammock. Since Clark hammocks have insulating pockets, insulation only becomes a major issue when camping in weather below 32 F. Underquilts are a great option because they breathe well (unlike pads) so that you don't wake up with a sweaty back.

Clark's Z-liner insulation kit is a type of underquilt that is growing in popularity among Clark hammock users for three simple reasons. First, they work. Second, Z-Liners are easily installed on your Clark four-season hammock at home so that you don't have to fiddle with it when your fingers are freezing out on the trail. Third, unlike regular underquilts, Z-Liners are kept in place by the Clark's pocket system so that you can still move around in the hammock without being afraid of compromising the insulation or creating bad cold spots.

The Z-Liner under-insulation kit has been tested down to 5 F (-15 C) by Clark, and much lower by independent testers. Testing was done with an average zero degree bag inside the hammock. The results are amazing. The Z-Liner acts like an uncompressed sleeping bag underneath you, retaining your body's heat and keeping you comfortable throughout the night.

The Z-Liner includes seven pads, all made from high quality ClimaShield HL insulation, as you would find in great sleeping bags. All newer Clark four-season hammocks have velcro in place to install the Z-Liner kit. Six of the pads velcro into the insulating pockets of the hammock. The benefit of installing the pads in the insulating pockets is huge. The pockets keep the pads secure and in place to limit the movement of air around the Z-Liner pad. The pockets also offer another layer of protection against the cold so that strong winds won't compromise the insulation of the Z-Liner pad. Best all all, the Z-Liner is the only insulation kit that will allow you to continue using your hammock storage pockets as normal, to store boots and gear and other items you may need during the night. This is possible because there is still room for items in the pocket underneath the Z-Liner pad.

Besides the pads that are installed in the pockets of your hammock, a large Z-Liner pad is also installed in the area where there are no pockets on your hammock, under your feet and lower legs. This pad is simple to install by hanging up the hammock and flipping it upside down. It's easy to match up the velcro strips and secure the pad on the hammock. Since the Z-Liner is synthetic, you can depend on it continuing to work even if it somehow gets wet.

Unlike your average underquilt, the Z-Liner can be installed on your hammock at home if you wish so that you don't have to set it up with cold fingers on the trail. The Z-Liner comes with a stuff sack large enough to hold your hammock when the Z-Liner is installed. So just put the Z-liner in your hammock in the comfort of your living room. When you hang the hammock on the trail, simply reach inside each pocket and make sure each pad is spread evenly to the center of the hammock and hasn't become twisted while in storage. Regular underquilts can be very sensitive to your movement inside the hammock so that if you toss and turn at night, you could lose all the heat that the quilt has trapped underneath you. The Z-Liner doesn't suffer from this problem since the Clark's pocket system keeps the Z-Liner secure to limit the cold air that can be introduced, even if you move around.

In summary, Clark four-season hammock owners are choosing the Z-Liner for insulation because it was created specifically for Clark hammocks. If you are planning any trips where temperatures could dip well below 32 F, you need a Z-liner.