KAQ Potomac vs. jrb nest

**stonefree** · 05-05-2010, 17:26

for my hennessy hammock. im stuck as to which one to buy

**pgibson** · 05-05-2010, 17:30

Per this post yesterday I am running a 10% off sale on all KAQ's through the end of the week.

Just saying.

**stonefree** · 05-05-2010, 17:39

nice
im a noobie and im taking my hennessy out for the first time this weekend. i have no uq and will be using a pad
how small does the Potomac compress in a stuff sack

**pgibson** · 05-05-2010, 17:44

The stuff sack I include is about 12x 24 laid flat, but it is over-sized for the quilt so that you can squish gear around it in your pack. I wouls say about 2/3rds of the stuff sack size is what you could get the quilt smashed down to if you needed to. That would be for the 3 season, I have yet to get the 1 season up on my site, but it should be up by tomorrow.

**stonefree** · 05-05-2010, 17:54

i dont have alot of room in my pack cuz of the bear canister but when i get my snak skins there will be a bit more room
i think the Potomac is lighter then the nest but its down so not as bulky
i think i might flip a coin haha

**wisenber** · 05-05-2010, 20:59

Originally Posted by stonefree

i dont have alot of room in my pack cuz of the bear canister but when i get my snak skins there will be a bit more room
i think the Potomac is lighter then the nest but its down so not as bulky
i think i might flip a coin haha

You can always strap that bear canister on the outside of your pack if you need room. That will leave room for either quilt.

**Knotty** · 05-05-2010, 21:25

The down filled Nest is gonna pack smaller than the KAQ. Nest also offers option of being worn around camp as a wrap for extra warmth. Pluses for the KAQ are lower price and less worries about getting it wet since it's synthetic.

Decisions, decisions.

**stonefree** · 05-05-2010, 21:46

straping a full canister on the outside will pull away from my body throwing my center of gravity off, im pretty lightweight my food i s the heaviest thing i carry
whitch one is easier to get in out of, they both have bottom entry but any pros or cons over the other?

**Javaman** · 05-05-2010, 22:19

Originally Posted by stonefree

nice
im a noobie and im taking my hennessy out for the first time this weekend. i have no uq and will be using a pad
how small does the Potomac compress in a stuff sack

UQ's are a whole world unto themselves as you can begin to see here. Knotty makes good points.

My experience is I started with a pad in my HH which sucked right away. Try it and you will come to your own conclusions.

I bought the HH Super Shelter with open cell foam underpad and was vastly happier than with a closed cell foam pad or Thermarest type pad. I added an space/emergency blanket as a vapor barrier between the hammock and the open cell foam pad and am comfortable to the low 50's or into the 40's. The Super Shelter stays on my HH all year, even in summer (during which I lose the emergency blanket).

I bought a used KAQ off a forum member as temps were headed lower a couple of Fall's ago. It's black, not super compressible but lofts nicely and sets up fairly easily. I carry it in an 8 litre REI stuffsack shoved in my pack or strapped to the top somewhere. I added this KAQ to my Super Shelter setup on the recent MAHHA hang where we measured 32 degrees as the overnight low. This entire combination kept me warm and comfortable (along with my 15 degree 800-fill down bag, Patagonia Expedition long underwear and a balaclava).

Hope this helps the thinking . . .

**wisenber** · 05-05-2010, 23:39

Originally Posted by stonefree

straping a full canister on the outside will pull away from my body throwing my center of gravity off, im pretty lightweight my food i s the heaviest thing i carry
whitch one is easier to get in out of, they both have bottom entry but any pros or cons over the other?

Perhaps, but many packs such as the Gossamer Gear Mariposa are designed to hold a bear canister on top under the straps. I'm just sayin....