Which UQ's?

[pullmyfinger]

I guess I’m following the normal progression for hammock camping.
I’ve been digging through all of the Under Quilt posts but I’m still unsure on what I want to do.

I have four Hennessey hammocks an Explorer Ultralight (Me), an Expedition(My Wife), and two Scouts for my kids. I’m currently on Guam so we don’t really need under quilts, but we’re moving to Japan soon so I’d like to get some summer weight under quilts, I’m looking for something around 40 degree temps.

I have a sewing machine. I can sew utilitarian types of projects but nothing that would be professional quality. I just cut up a couple of my kids old sleeping bags, and converted them to under quilts for them. I’ll only be taking them out in moderate temps.

I don’t want to undertake a DIY project for two adult sized (3/4) under quilts, so I’m looking for two under quilts. I’ll probably go with down but I’m not dead set on that. I used to own a Feathered Friends sleeping bag that was later lost during hurricane Katrina *sniff*……. I miss that bag. ;-)

Anyway, I am a fan of down as an insulation, but I haven’t ruled out synthetic as an under quilt. I’m not concerned with pack size, I’m not really an ultra light backpacker….I have a McHale backpack. ;-) So having the lightest gear isn’t at the top of my selection criteria list.

I guess cost would be a concern, as I have to buy two of them. I’m looked into the Super Shelter, but it seems to only convert you existing hammock into a double bottom with a foam pad between the layers. For the $140 that it costs, I’d just spend a bit more and get a War Bonnet double layer hammock and use foam between the layers. That’s only if I wanted to use a foam pad under ‘quilt’.

Does anyone out there make a baffled, synthetic UQ? Mostly what I see are the IX sandwich (non-quilted) styles.

Sorry for the rambling, but I just wanted to get some ideas while researching a 2 UQ purchase.

Thanks,
Mitch

[pullmyfinger]

Go figure,

Right after I post I find more information.

Baffled synthetic underquilt: Wilderness Logics, 3/4, $95.

3/4 Down fluffiness. ;-)

Te Wa, The Breeze, 3/4, $135

Wilderness Logics, 3/4 Down, $139

Leighlo's, 2/3 Down, $150

Summary:

Synthetic baffled 3/4: Costs around $100.

Down 3/4: Costs between $130 and $150.

There are plenty that go up in price/features/lightness/etc. But I believe one of these will
work for us.

I'm guessing that most of these are more similar than different, but I'm still new....what do I know? ;-)
If anyone has any feedback on the above choices, I'd appreciate it.

[catalyst]

I'm pretty sure leighlo has a down summer quilt (40 degrees) for around $120. I have heard nothing but good things about all the quilts you have listed. I recently ordered a 3/4 uq from hammockgear.com. I chose them mostly because I liked the dimensions of their quilts best. Lots of good choices.

[flatline]

i have a Wilderness Logics full length synthetic UQ and i really like it.
WL uses a virgin polyester fill that is about as close to down as you can get.
i think they're the only folks that produce a synth. UQ that incorporates baffled construction, and their quality is great.
.

[pullmyfinger]

Thanks for the feedback guys,

It helps as I enter the confusing world of UQ's. ;-)

-Mitch

[Dutch]

I real partial to down and hammock gear, JRB and Leighlo's stuff is what I buy. But enough about me. Tell me about your Mchale pack. I am jealous of any one who has a Mchale. I studied his packs when I wanted to make a DIY pack.

[pullmyfinger]

I love my McHale!

I bought it in 1998 and love it. It's one of his bayonette designs, so it can break down and compress to handle various sized loads. It's original appeal at the time was it's ability to carry heavy loads, and accomodate very large synthetic sleeping bags. Or a winter down bag and all of the clothing needed for winter mountaineering trips.
It's weight carrying ability is amazing! I lived in Utah years ago and used it for hauling a lot of water during desert hiking trips also. The McHale suspension system can handle loads that would collapse other designs out there. I originally bought it for winter mountaineering, but have used it for everything.
It has been so versatile to me over the years. They are well worth the money.

His smaller ski/mountaineering, and 3-day sized packs look very good also. I have an Alpineer.

-Mitch

[te-wa]

Te Wa, The Breeze, 3/4, $135



Summary:

Synthetic baffled 3/4: Costs around $100.

Down 3/4: Costs between $130 and $150.



I'm guessing that most of these are more similar than different, but I'm still new....what do I know? ;-)
If anyone has any feedback on the above choices, I'd appreciate it.

I can only add that my price reflects shipping cost included. you may want to check into shipping prices for others, as it may increase the cost of the product.

[pullmyfinger]

Thanks Te Wa,

I'm checking out you site right now. ;-) That's good to know.

-Mitch

[pullmyfinger]

Thanks Te Wa,

I'm checking out you site right now. ;-) That's good to know.

-Mitch