summer tq in winter

**fred1diver** · 10-24-2010, 19:08

quick question, if one of my main goal is to lower my load weight, since I'm carrying a down jacket anyways, wouldn't sleeping in my down jacket and using a summer tq be warm enough?
I'm just trying to figure out what to order and lessen me expenses at the same time

at the moment the only times I went winter camping was in a tent and I only used a half bag with my jacket, added only an overbag for extra warmth, so I figure I could get away with something similar in a hammock

what do you all think

**beep** · 10-24-2010, 19:10

Originally Posted by fred1diver

quick question, if one of my main goal is to lower my load weight, since I'm carrying a down jacket anyways, wouldn't sleeping in my down jacket and using a summer tq be warm enough?
I'm just trying to figure out what to order and lessen me expenses at the same time

at the moment the only times I went winter camping was in a tent and I only used a half bag with my jacket, added only an overbag for extra warmth, so I figure I could get away with something similar in a hammock

what do you all think

The short answer is...it depends...

Try it in easy bail-out conditions first. See if it works for you. I know some who make the combination work.

I got through a 27 degree F. night recently with a summer weight quilt wearing MontBell Thermawrap pants and a MontBell light alpine down parka (with balaclava and hat). I wasn't comfortable at those temps, but I didn't suffer too badly either. I woke up a lot and kept trying to tuck the TQ around me more!

**JerryW** · 10-24-2010, 20:25

Originally Posted by fred1diver

wouldn't sleeping in my down jacket and using a summer tq be warm enough?

Me...my legs and feet would be too cold. If you're a warm sleeper or you can boost your lower-half insulation somehow, you might be okay.

Jerry

**Cannibal** · 10-25-2010, 07:34

I'm a warm sleeper and a psuedo gram-weenie. My answer would be: not on purpose.

I've been able to boost 3-season quilts with clothing when the temps dropped unexpectedly. It wasn't ideal by a long shot. I can't imagine the same situation with a summer weight quilt. Only once have I used a summer quilt by itself in winter. Genuine Draft and I were playing with a Clark Vertex. With two people putting out body heat under a sealed weathershield, a summer top quilt was all I needed. Temps outside were single digits. That was pretty neato, but the extra person under cover is what made it possible.

**Trooper** · 10-25-2010, 08:20

I think you would need to supplement with so much clothing or pads that the weight savings of the summer UQ would be lost. A slightly heavier but efficient 3-Season UQ would be lighter that a lightweight Summer UQ and several articles of heavy clothing.

**millergear** · 10-25-2010, 08:47

If you get your down jacket wet/damp you will be SOL.

**tjm** · 10-25-2010, 09:16

Sleep systems are so subjective that you have to test this out to see if it works.

I have read about many people who incorporate their spare clothing into their sleep system in order to save weight.

I have tried that with varying degrees of success, the last attempt was this summer, but I think I have officially stopped ....just too many nights of poor sleep due to borderline insulation. The extra weight is worth the sleep to me.

I am now rationalizing my extra clothing, like the down jacket and fleece pants in the winter, as my safety margin, above and beyond the sleep system.