Thickness for synthetic UQ

[chickenwing]

I am looking into putting together a synthetic UQ and I need a little help choosing insulation and determining the proper thickness for the temperature. I want to be able to get into the 20* range. I am going with synthetic because I like to do most of my camping associated with canoeing or kayaking rather than hiking and I don't want to chance making a down UQ and risk it getting wet (I have experience with dry bags that aren't )

[jbo_c]

My expectation is that for 20 you'll be wanting to augment with a pad. A synthetic to get you comfortably into the 20s would be pretty bulky(but possible).

A single layer of 5oz should get you into the 30s pretty well. To get me into the 20s with synthetic and no pad would probably take two layers of that. There is a 7oz Climashield that's hard to find but would theoretically get you there. I can't say from experience.

Jbo

[nacra533]

Just finished my KAQ using 5oz Climasheild XP. I haven't tested it yet because I didn't think to order bungee when I ordered the climashield.

When I was placing my order at thru-hiker, we had a short discussion on "clo" vs. inches of loft and there is a lot (actually too much) info on clo on this site and whiteblaze. Google "insulation clo" and you can read all sorts of people argueing. **It depends on how tolerant of cold you are**

Sorry off track. I was looking for something to get me to 35 or 40 and thru-hiker said 5 oz would be closer to 30 degrees **. Somewhere there is a guideline for relating clo to temperature. I think a clo of 4 = 30 degrees**. A clo of 6 = 15 degrees **

They also sell a climashield combat at 3.7 oz or so, which you could double it or put a 5oz and a 2 oz together to get you there maybe.

I live in GA, so other than this dreadful freaking winter, 30 degrees is about as low as it gets on avg.

[Take-a-knee]

Ray Jardine's quilt kit is accurately rated to 28 F. Check it out. My darling wife made me one. Takes about a weekend or so.. I don't think 5 oz Climashield will take you to 20. Where will you be paddling in 20 degree temps?

[jeffjenn]

My guess is approx 2-2.25" in thickness should be close. I would test before getting too far from home.

[lori]

Ray Jardine's quilt kit is accurately rated to 28 F. Check it out. My darling wife made me one. Takes about a weekend or so.. I don't think 5 oz Climashield will take you to 20. Where will you be paddling in 20 degree temps?

Get the alpine upgrade on that quilt kit and it will take you lower. Mine may be the bulkiest thing in the gear closet, but it's light for its size and warm to the point that I have to leave it out to dry when used above freezing - it'll make you sweat and it collects on the inside of the shell.

[chickenwing]

Where will you be paddling in 20 degree temps?

I guess I should have clarified that. I won't be paddling out in those temps (unless i get caught in some freak "global warming" cold front) but I am a cold sleeper and I have been paddling in Aiken, SC when the night temps were in the mid 30's at night. I don't like being cold. Being cold sucks

What type of insulation does the Ray-Way quilt use?
Also

My guess is approx 2-2.25" in thickness should be close.

What material should be close?

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I love this forum. You guys are the best!

[lori]

I think Ray Ways are Climashield. I could be wrong. He's never posted what it is on the website anywhere I could find, and others have said he switched from Polarguard at some point in the past but I couldn't tell you when...

[jbo_c]

The two layers of 5oz mentioned would get you to 2 inches. It's an inch+ per layer.

Jbo

[Newzy]

Combination IX with climashield layer would work well. Ripstop outter, IX, climashield, ripstop inner. Leave foot end open (velcro closier) to add additional layers for lower temp. IX layer works wonderfully for windbreakage + insultion layer.