Top quilt foot box: sewn closed, snap, or sewn and strung?

**UrsaMajor1887** · 11-17-2015, 17:04

I am looking forward to a 50° Burrow and am looking for input on your favorite way to deal with the foot end. I have a 20° and 40° Burrows and both have sewn and closed foot boxes. I have 20° and 40° Phoenix underquilts for bottom insulation and use a CCF pad for the lower legs and feet.

The quilt will be used in GA, in the summer, and when hammocking indoors at my place, or at a friend’s/family’s house on weekend visits (on the floor as spare beds or anchor points are not always available).

Sewn Closed
Pros: No drafts; CCF foot pad stays in place; no moving parts (zippers, snaps, drawstrings) to malfunction.

Cons: When it is warmer out, the quilt is hard to vent; can’t open it up; it takes effort to pull legs out when it gets too warm and then they get cold and have to be stuck back in.

Snap Close
I have no experience with the snap close.

Pros:
Can open the foot box for better ventilation or for use in blanket mode.

Cons:
In cooler than expected weather it could be drafty.
Cold snaps under your legs, can’t completely close the end of the foot box
When opened up, no way to keep the CCF pad from wondering around.

Sewn and strung
I have read about this option (not on the Hammock Gear website checklist so would be a custom quilt). The idea is to sew up the back like with the closed foot box and have a draw string at the end to close it down when it is cold out decreasing the venting.

Pros:
Stays around your feet, but able to vent
Should keep the CCF pad in place.

Cons:
Can’t open the back for blanket mode.
Still can’t close the end down all the way.

Question:
What would you prefer in a 50° quilt given your experience and why?

**gbolt** · 11-17-2015, 20:06

I have a 50º UGQ with Snaps and Draw String; along with a 20º Burrow with Sewn Footbox. I wouldn't do it any other way. Your pros and cons are great but bottom line, I didn't want any draft with the 20º and wanted as much versatility as possible for the 50º. Simple rule, Cold weather 20 and below go sewn. Warm weather 40 and up go Snaps. Since you asked

**UrsaMajor1887** · 11-18-2015, 11:59

Looks like one vote for the snap foot box on the 50. Anyone else have experience with this foot box?

**OneClick** · 11-18-2015, 12:01

I don't really understand how people use an open quilt as a blanket in a hammock. The hammock is basically only as wide as you, so there is no lying it flat like on a bed. It's still all piled up on top of you.

**ksbcrocks** · 11-18-2015, 13:38

I thought I'd like the snaps so I could use it like a blanket in the hammock, but I've always ended up just closing up the footbox anyways, regardless of the temperature.

It is nice for using the quilt in the car or something on the way to and from trips. Or for travel where you need to take a cover with you.

**Tumbleweed** · 11-18-2015, 13:58

I am not pleased with the way snaps come unsnapped during the tossing/turning of sleep.
I prefer the ribbons that I can tie together like shoelaces. Been much more successful that way.

**dakotaross** · 11-18-2015, 15:03

My only issue with the drawn footbox (snaps, zipper, velcro, etc.) is that given a little pressure from pulling the quilt snug on you, the cinched draw cord can release. Had this happen on a winter TQ creating drafts. I've got a 50 TQ that is the same (zipper) and I don't have the same issue, I think mostly because I'm not as inclined to snug it up on me.

I personally prefer a sewn footbox because I find that when I get in the quilt, I use the pressure of putting my feet into the bottom to gauge how its fitting and make sure I have it right before cinching up the neck and tucking. Its just easier not to have to worry about pushing too hard with your feet and having the redo the cinch cord. But for a 50 quilt, I wouldn't pay extra to have it sewn.

I don't agree with the venting issue with the sewn footbox. Venting is foot in or out, doesn't matter what style footbox.

**Rex Clifton** · 11-18-2015, 15:26

I have two topquilts with snaps, a 20 degree and 40 degree and have never had an issue with drafts or the snaps coming undone during the night. When I lay in my hammock my feet gently touch the footbox of my Blackbird XLC. In cold weather this area is covered by my Incubator underquilt so I don't see how drafts are possible. I like the snaps since I can undo in warm weather to vent.

**bradym77** · 11-18-2015, 15:30

On my Enlightened Equipment TQ it zips up and has a snap closure over top of the zipper so it won't come back open. I have used this when it was in the 40's and needed to vent and was very thankful I could undo the draw strings and let some heat out.
On the flip side the last time I was out and it was 29 degrees I couldn't pull the draw strings tight enough to keep out the drafts (I went tarpless and woke up covered in frost).