Insulation for Florida

**Mikums** · 11-06-2011, 13:34

For a Florida winter, what type/brand underquilt would I need? How about Florida year round? I'm looking at the one DD sells.

**Otter1** · 11-06-2011, 14:14

I use a Nest from JRB. Not year 'round though - too hot.

It's easy enough to supplement it in the coldest nights in winter (ie: CCF) but when it's warm I just use my old JRB Weathershield or, if no bugs to bite me, nothing until I get CBS, then I slide a thin CCF inside.

I'm in N. FL so you will need even less insulation further South.

**lilricky** · 11-06-2011, 14:20

I like to use full underquilts here in Central Florida. The reason being is even during the warmer months, you can open up the ends to allow more airflow making it less warm. And then in the colder months, you can tighten up those ends. Yes, it does take some experimenting to figure out how much airflow you need, but the comfort of the UQ is worth it, IMHO.

**TinaLouise** · 11-08-2011, 08:27

What are the temp ranges that you'll be hanging in??

My Spring, Summer, Fall (temp ranges from 75 down to about 47 -I sleep cold) I use a 3 layer IX quilt. This may work for you too, especially if you're a warmer sleeper. If you sleep warm, then the IX quilt would take you to even lower temps. I like it because humidity doesn't bother it at all. And I'm pretty sure that you'll be concerned with humidity in Florida!!

TinaLouise

**FLRider** · 11-08-2011, 09:03

Are you camping mostly in the greater West Palm area or are you looking at going elsewhere in the state? It really depends on that, as well as how warm of a sleeper you are.

For me, a poncho liner underquilt (good to 45-55 for most folks) is good down to about 40 with no supplemental insulation, which is about as cold as you're likely to see down there. However, if you're a cold sleeper, you'll probably want to supplement.

If you plan on camping in North FL in "winter", you'll probably want something that can take you down into the thirties normally and the twenties with supplemental insulation (or, y'know, something good down into the twenties that you can vent at higher temps). So, normal three-season gear (rated to 20-ish) should get you through anywhere in FL as long as you know how to supplement it for those two weekends a year where it gets below 20.

All of the usual acronyms apply.