Mac IX UQ or AHE Lost River?

**dvisic** · 08-19-2010, 16:55

I'm considering going UQ. I currently have a large GG 1/4" pad that is fiddly...I find it difficult to get into position, and if I shift much at night it doesn't take much for me to get it bunched up under my back.

So, I'm thinking about trying to rig up something with a cheap sleeping bag. BUT THEN...I see the AHE sale on the Lost River 3/4 length UQ. I also see Mac's new IX offerings...all approximately the same $$ range.

How am I supposed to decide??

**Harpo63** · 08-19-2010, 17:03

Buy both. That will solve your dilemma! alot of us end up buying more than we really need, just because... its a good sickness.

**dvisic** · 08-19-2010, 17:05

Well, that's a great idea, and I might someday. For now, though, my budget is such that I'm a "slowly add a piece at a time and get the most bang for your buck" kinda guy.

**Harpo63** · 08-19-2010, 17:09

True. I have the lost river full UQ. I also have a IX uq on the way. without having them both in front of me, I believe from what Ive seen on HF that the IX UQ packs smaller. I love my AHE uq, but Im flying to Africa in a couple months, so Im trying to pack small as possible, hence the IX UQ. Thats probably the main difference. However, the 3/4 will be smaller than my full... that would be the only thing different. Temp ratings might be a little different depending on how you have your lost river made.

**Dutch** · 08-19-2010, 17:49

I would ask how important is it that it packs down small. The IX wins on that. I also like the fact you can add layers to the IX UQ. Either one is a win/win situaltion though.

**MacEntyre** · 08-19-2010, 17:53

If you buy both, you can use them together when it's really cold!

**dvisic** · 08-19-2010, 18:02

Originally Posted by Dutch

I would ask how important is it that it packs down small. The IX wins on that. I also like the fact you can add layers to the IX UQ. Either one is a win/win situaltion though.

Nice but not crucial for me currently. Nice and perhaps ideal for me in the future. I'm currently in a period of transition--I'm going to be moving out of my apartment, putting most everything that I own in storage, and traveling around the country. This will result in me living in a combination of my car (with nights spent in my hammock) and staying with friends and relatives (as willingness and opportunity permit). For the next few months.

SO...extreme smallness is not necessary, so long as it will fit in my car. I do plan on doing through-hikes in the future, at which point it will be better.

However...on the flipside, as it gets closer to winter I'll need more of a winter UQ/TQ combo...at which point whatever I get now will serve as warmer weather insulation (and perhaps additional--can the IX UQ be used in conjunction with a down UQ for extra extra warmth?)--and I'll be carrying all this at once, so packing down small would help.

This is turning into a monologue, and a rambling one at that, so I'll end my wandering words here. lol

**Dutch** · 08-19-2010, 18:07

I personally think the IX works very well in conjunction with a down UQ. I still like down but it is pricey.

**dvisic** · 08-19-2010, 18:08

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

If you buy both, you can use them together when it's really cold!

Oh, I wish I could afford to do that. Of course, if I had the extra funds lying around, I could just invest in a crowsnest or some other "enveloped in comfy comfy down warmthy goodness"....

Of course, then I'd be too warm in the "not quite so cool but not hot" months.

I wish I lived closer to some of y'all and could just test out these things. lol

**dvisic** · 08-19-2010, 18:40

Originally Posted by Dutch

I personally think the IX works very well in conjunction with a down UQ. I still like down but it is pricey.

Would I be better off going with the full length Universal IX UQ, or the 3/4 length? They appear to be the same price. I'm thinking that the full length would be better, as I could go without bringing my GG pad at all--and it would give my legs/feet some insulation in colder months, even with a 3/4 or 2/3 length down winter UQ (less cost and weight, whereas there's only a 2.5 oz difference in the IX UQ).