Which Quilt first?

**jima59** · 07-21-2011, 05:38

I'm lining up my materials for a hammock, tarp, bugnet, and the quilt. Would like to plan this as a thru hike in2012 or 2013 on AT. Knowing the temps for early spring and late fall would you want a underquilt first or would a top quit and pad work for you. I'm trying to ease the financial end of it by buying a little at a time and the quilt is all that is needed now. Thanks for the opinions.

**Dblcorona** · 07-21-2011, 06:02

For saving money, it's probably the tq and pad, but for me, I love the comfort of the uq. So I would go uq.

**brushybill** · 07-21-2011, 06:50

it depends on the wieght of your sleeping bag, my top quilt wieghs 13 oz less than my lightest sleeping bag,though i am not a fan of pads, i would have to go with the tq and ccf pad

**Hawk-eye** · 07-21-2011, 06:57

For me it was a no-brainer ... UQ first and rode out my sleeping bag till I got a TQ. Mo'better sleeping than on a pad. Pad works but once you've tried it with an UQ you'll see the difference.

**trinni** · 07-21-2011, 08:02

I hated my single-layer with a pad -- slippery thing and then you also have to make sure your shoulders dont get cold. Use a regular sleeping-bag until you'll have enough saved for a TQ. So, I'd say UQ first -- adds so much comfort to your lay!

**ZMad2000** · 07-21-2011, 08:07

Well i am not sure whats better. The way i went was more weight cutting. I made my TQ first and kept my pad which at times was a little annoying. Now i have made an UQ and will be testing it soon. So its up to u but weight wise the TQ will save the most but the UQ might be the most comfortable.

**griesl** · 07-21-2011, 08:43

Why not make something like the JRB No Sniv that I use - it's primarily a tq, but you can add suspension to it and use it as an uq. So then you could try it both ways.

**Lonely Raven** · 07-21-2011, 10:03

I have a 3 Season Top Quilt that I added loops to and I use it as an Under Quilt on my bridge (since my under quilts are shaped more for a gathered end hammock).

Honestly, once you try an Under Quilt, you never go back. it's awesome.

**trinni** · 07-21-2011, 10:30

Originally Posted by griesl

Why not make something like the JRB No Sniv that I use - it's primarily a tq, but you can add suspension to it and use it as an uq. So then you could try it both ways.

Oh, reminds me of one of my DIY quilts which I called TUQ -- top- and underquilt:
Down TUQ (top- and underquilt)

**warbonnetguy** · 07-21-2011, 10:42

i say go for the underquilt, which enhances comfort, the tq really only saves weight/bulk which is nice, but you can use your sleeping bag as a topquilt till you can afford to replace it