question for Te-Wa owners, ESP those in the south

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mods, this is for both TQ's & UQ's, so i put it here since there wasnt one place that covered both

i emailed and talked to mike at Te-Wa and he gave me some great advice, and im not doubting him but i wanted to know what "real world" users think. heres the gist:

since im a little ways off from being able to afford a set of quilts, im studying up.

im in south carolina, and cant say im going to be doing a ton of camping in the winter, but even if i did it rarely ever gets down to under 30. i prefer to sleep in as little as possible (ie, boxers) for comfort, so im trying to factor that in too.

i would be using any set of quilts with either an ENO DN or a WBBB 1.7DL and a superfly with doors for full coverage. I will not be using a pad, unless its for the foot box. Because i wont be able to have a quilt for every situation, i need a set for all situation.

he suggested a 3 season UQ and a summer TQ, since the UQ will help keep you warmer. Ive not heard that, but it makes sence.

The ONLY thing im not a fan of with Te-Wa is the shiny material, but thats it. and it seems that just about everyones got the same thing going on.

Does all that sound like a good setup, or should i think more of both being summer weight. the price difference isnt too terrible with these, so im probably being paranoid. i guess i could always vent either way.

[angrysparrow]

Te-Wa makes superb gear. I have one of his winter uq's that has been just great.

If you're going to camp more than a couple of times in winter, I'd go with both in 3 season. That's the most versatile option. But, if you're sure that you won't camp below the rating of a summer TQ...you can save both money and bulk.

That's how I'd look at it in your place.

[Otter1]

Mike is very smart at this whole hanging thing. His advice is usually correct. The advice about the UQ providing the most warmth is spot on.

If you're sticking with the temps you mention, and you are an "average" sleeper (not too warm / not too cold), then you SHOULD be fine.

The only thing that bothers me is the Summer TQ @ 30*, wearing only boxers. I consider myself fairly average sleeper, but I think I'd want a warmer TQ if I wasn't wearing supplemental insulation - such as a puffy jacket. YMMV.

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thats what i was thinking there funny. i dont distrust mike at all, but i know MOST people have other layers. i just cant seem to get comfortable when wearing much, and i think a jacket will be much to uncomfortable. not to mention the only jacket i have is a leather motorcycle jacket that wont do well in a hammock, lol.

so i figure im taking off some of any quilts ratings just because i dont have layers. i usually put off a ton of heat in bed, and i prefer the room to be ice cold and the blankets to be nice and warm. no idea what that means tho.

i think i may end up erring on the side of caution and rocking the 3 season on both, but i worry the tq would be too warm in the summer months.

[MAD777]

I agree with using the 3 season under quilt for your situation. If the conditions are too warm for any under quilt the solution is simple - loosen the quilt suspension to allow air gaps as needed. So, with a 3 season under quilt you still have a very versatile quilt.

I also agree with the summer top quilt, as you won't be camping below freezing. You can always augment a top quilt with additional clothing, such as a down jacket. The additional clothing won't help the under side much because you are compressing it, but it will totally add to your insulation on top.

By using a summer top quilt, which sounds like what you will need the majority of the time, you won't be lugging the extra weight and bulk of a 3 season top quilt.

[Otter1]

A 3S TQ will definitely be too hot in Charleston-area summers!

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works for me, now thats settled. saves me $35 and 4oz, lol. it amazes me that just 4oz makes that much difference.

[kayak karl]

i have the te-wa winter coat (different name now) UQ. had it to single digits and up to 50 with no problems. the 2/3 quilt has a learning curve to it, but works great. for top quilts i use JRB wareable ones. got 3 so it depends on the weather the one i take.

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i figure the 40* tq will work, and if i need ill add my PLTQ

[NewtonGT]

im from your neck of the woods and id say go three season. if your going to hang near the water this winter it will still be pretty cold. it will be around 30 degrees and like you I like to sleep in just my boxers. so id rather pay a little more and wear less.