Need Clarification On Quilt Usage

[cosmicmiami]

I need an explanation of quilt usage. I'm aware of the differences between sleeping on ground and hanging with regards to insulation and air flow, i.e. hammocks are cold without insulation.

So how exactly are quilts used? If I'm expecting say 50 deg am I using a top quilt and just sleeping on an insulated pad underneath? As I understand, bottom quilts are used for colder temps say +40 and below.

Thanks in advance.

-Bill

[pgibson]

Many folks find that they use a quilt rather than a pad, at any temp were you would want insulation---below 70 for most folks. Not all but many of us find that using a pad decreases the comfort of the hammock so we avoid using a pad when possible. A pad will get the job done though and many have taken a pad to freezing and even below. More a personal preference/comfort thing.

[angrysparrow]

Underquilts are used in all temps, up to say 70ºF. You're correct that convection of air cools the hammock from underneath, and that's why a hammock (when you're at rest) can feel cool below 65-70ºF.

A person can use either a pad or an underquilt to insulate beneath. Underquilts are just the more convenient, since you don't have to 'try' to stay on top of them when you move around in the hammock.

There are all sorts of underquilts, with different amounts and types of insulation, depending on the conditions.

[Cannibal]

So how exactly are quilts used?

In your location, just one word: rarely.

I don't use pads at all, just quilts. I find them to be much more comfortable in mild weather and in cold weather, I dunno, it just feels like a richer warmth. An underquilt is one of the best investments a hanger can make IMO.

[lori]

I like quilts because they breathe. Pads don't - they don't move with you in the hammock, either. There's nothing like a soft cocoon of down while you sprawl and snooze...

[dakotaross]

Think of the bottom quilt and top quilt in terms of a sleeping bag. You've got two halves of it while you're in your hammock. What it will go down to is similar to what you may have experienced already with sleeping bags. In a sleeping bag the ground is the actual insulation underneath you, but the UQ in a hammock is actually more efficient at keeping you warm, so I find that I don't need as much for top insulation

For higher temps, depends on you, but UQ's can be used up to any temp depending on what you're using and your tolerance for getting warm. For me, when it dips below 50, I'll be using my 25 degree rated UQ. Otherwise I use a pad for bottom insulation since I don't have a summer UQ. Might depend on the actual temp when I go to sleep - if its in the 60s then I will not have the UQ on, but might have it ready to go in the middle of the night.

Of course where you are, and where I am, too, don't need nuthin' right now!

[Just Jeff]

Pads or underquilts are not really related to temperatures. You can use a thin pad in the summer and a thick pad in the winter, or a thin UQ in the summer and a thick one in the winter. Just depends on what makes you comfortable and what your budget is.

I've used a pad into the teens with no other insulation, and a pad at about 60F. I've use underquilts at 70F and below zero. I've use a pad/UQ combination with a wind chill of way below zero. Just depends on what system I chose to use at that time.

I think UQs are much more comfortable than CCF pads, and usually a bit more comfortable than inflatable pads like the Exped Downmat 7.

[Harpo63]

Ok, tying in to what Jeff just said above... Im wondering if I misunderstood what UQ's do... Not trying to hijack the original thread, but this is related to the original post.

Last night was my wife's first night hanging outside in the backyard with her new winter incubator. Shes a very cold sleeper. She used a 3 season black mamba TQ. I slept in with the Universal IX UQ (I figured I had it on backwards the night before, and switched it last night and it sealed up better) with a 3 season Burrow TQ. Ive also slept in my AHE New river UQ with a IX insert at another time with the 3 season mamba (all full length UQs). Im including all three for comparison.

The low temps the last two nights got to 54 and 53 this am. Temps was probably in the low 60's when I slept in the AHE last time.

Around 4am, my wife got up and said her back was chilled and she was shivering, she was going to bail back into the house. Said she was warm on top, felt the warmth from the TQ, but no heat from the Incubator under her. I was ok (Im a warm sleeper) with my IX UQ. TQ gave me plenty warmth, and in checking the underside, it was more temperature neutral, or at body temperature- was not giving me any additional warmth, but it was slightly cool to the touch. ummm... checked the gaps, seemed ok.

She was wearing flannel long PJ bottoms and a cotton t-shirt. I was in a t-shirt and shorts.

Decided to hop into my wifes vancated BB with the Incubator. Made sure the gaps were good and nestled in. TQ was toasty warm, but again, my backside felt temp neutral. I fully expected to feel more warmth radiate back there since it was a winter down quilt.

My question is... are these UQs supposed to keep you at body temperature regardless of the temp outside (unless it goes over 70 degrees) and not "toasty warm" like I expected? I understand heat rises, so the TQ will make you feel warmer on top.

My previous experience using the Lost River- it seemed to radiate a bit more heat back than the IX and Incubator did last night. None of this makes sense to me and Im dismayed that my wife isnt comfortable as I bought the winter incubator for her birthday. So Im wondering if I misunderstood UQs the whole time thinking they would capture and keep warmth under you like you can experience in a bed.

Can anyone clarify?

[stormcrow]

Interesting night you had Harpo. I know you checked for gaps and said all was well but if I were a betting man I would say that the under quilt was not snug up against the bottom of the hammock. The Winter Incubator is the heaviest quilt I make and with all of that insulation, the weight of itself can pull down enough to make a gap if things are not nice and tight.

My suggestion is for you to try tightening the main suspension line by at least 6 inches (maybe more). Just add another knot below the one that is on there now. Don't be afraid to get it nice and snug. The next thing would be to possibly add another short piece of shock cord to the middle tie out on the end. Just hook it on there and either tie it off up where the S-biner is located or tie it to the gathered end knot. Sometimes that can help pull that middle/center section up just a bit more. The last option you might try, although I doubt you will need to, is to use the tie outs along the edge to attach some shock cord and throw it over the ridgeline to one of the other tie outs on the side. Effectively pulling it up that way. Like I said most people do not need them but they are there if you do.

You should DEFINITELY feel heat radiating back up to you....Especially in those considerably warm temperatures.

Let me know how your next test works out....

~Stormcrow

[Harpo63]

Thanks Adam... will definitely tinker. I did tighten the shock cords, but maybe not enough? I see the loops at the ends. will try that. Thanks!