insulation insulation...

Sooo thinking more and more about making myself a quilt (and less and less about my schoolwork...)

I am thinking of making something that could be versatile: a rectangle with drawstrings on both ends and maybe omnitape up the side so I could use it as a sleeping bag/quilt or cinch it up as an underquilt for a hammock...

So... looking at thru-hiker's climashield xp insulation: two weights are listed, 2.5 oz to 40 degrees, and 5 oz. to 20 degrees. Somehow, I'm just not trusting their temperature ratings :o

Can anybody who's used this give me advice?

How warm will the 2.5 oz really be as a top quilt? As an underquilt?
And the 5 oz? As a top quilt? As an underquilt?

(And if as an underquilt, let's assume I'm using a 40 degree bag as a top quilt)

I'm a cold sleeper : o )

Thanks!
NLT

I have made a 5oz XP quilt as a top quilt, and my coldest night with it was in the low 20s, unfortunately on the ground. It was at the limit of what the quilt is good for, partly because it is very narrow.

The quilt has kept me plenty warm in a hammock in the high 20s/low 30s. Typically, I will wear smartwool and light fleece if it is that cold.

I think I am a fairly warm sleeper.

I am a cold sleeper, and I have gone to 16*F using a single layer 5oz Climashield XP top quilt, and a Custom single layer 5oz Climashield XP Under Quilt, that also had another layer on my butt and shoulders. I was wearing 2 pairs of cotton socks, jeans, white undershirt, and a fleece jacket. My top quilt is awesome, and keeps me plenty warm all the time.

Dwight

Ayce over @ Thru-Hiker has always struck me as a knowledgeable and trustworthy guy, but YMMV.

If you haven't already done so, you may want to take a look through the forum section on the site in Gearmakers Lounge as I think I recall him replying to questions about synthetic insulation.

Or... search BPL. Gardenville (also a member here) has contributed a great quantity of detailed info about Climashield et al to make your head hurt.

sweet--thanks for the info guys. insulation talk gets a little mind boggling if you let it run away with you. Just wanted some concise personal experiences : o )

Also, we have worked with the 3.7oz Combat, but for 1.3oz more, the 5oz makes a great quilt with very little weight penalty. But for summer use, the 3.7oz would be plenty.