Help me understand

[SC_Dave]

I am totally new to this and have watched Shugs vids and read a ton here. I am ready to buy a underquilt and I am confused. Why would I want a 1/2 or 3/4 UQ instead of a full length? Is there and advantage or disadvantage to one or the other?
David

[rip waverly]

pros cons to full length:
http://leighlounderquilts.webs.com/fulllengthuq.htm

pros cons to fractional length:
http://leighlounderquilts.webs.com/23underquilts.htm

[skyclad]

Hi Dave,

the idea is that the 1/2 or 3/4 under quilt keeps you warm from neck to knees, and saves weight and bulk in your pack. Your head is more than likely resting on some sort of pillow which provides insulation, and your feet/calves are inside your top quilt and stay warm that way. I've slept out down to 21 degrees with my 3/4 length under quilt, and stayed warm through the night. Don't know about 1/2 length - I guess it depends on how tall you are relative the the UQ, and how far you're walking with that pack on your back.

Hope that helps,
sky

[MAD777]

My partial quilt goes from my neck to just above my knees. A CCF pad goes into the footbox on my top quilt and covers the remainder. The CCF pad and partial quilt combo is lighter than a full quilt. Also, it's good practice to have some sort of pad anyway to use as a sit pad during hiking or (heaven forbid) going to ground.

Of course, if you only car camp - ignore all the above.

[SC_Dave]

Hi Dave,

the idea is that the 1/2 or 3/4 under quilt keeps you warm from neck to knees, and saves weight and bulk in your pack. Your head is more than likely resting on some sort of pillow which provides insulation, and your feet/calves are inside your top quilt and stay warm that way. I've slept out down to 21 degrees with my 3/4 length under quilt, and stayed warm through the night. Don't know about 1/2 length - I guess it depends on how tall you are relative the the UQ, and how far you're walking with that pack on your back.

Hope that helps,
sky

This does help and thanks! Im 6'2" which is another reason for asking about the different lengths
David

[SC_Dave]

pros cons to full length:
http://leighlounderquilts.webs.com/fulllengthuq.htm

pros cons to fractional length:
http://leighlounderquilts.webs.com/23underquilts.htm

Thanks, this was a big help.
David

[Joey]

This does help and thanks! Im 6'2" which is another reason for asking about the different lengths
David

I'm 6'2" and use a 3/4 lenght UQ in all seasons. Being a backpacker, the size and weight of the smaller quilts were and obvious choice for me.

[DemostiX]

there's a little more, more often whispered, and likely controversial, so I'll keep it in lower case:

a fractional quilt is easier to adjust and seal at the leg end against drafts. it is more likely to stay snug and draft-free against the hammock bottom across the hammock because the ridges and furrows of the gathered end hammock disappear toward the center of the hammock while they are also flattened by the mass of the body. if the portion of the uq insulating the lower legs has any air gap, there's not much insulation being done.

further, the legs below the knee don't t put out much heat. that being the case, on which side of the hammock skin might it be more effective to insulate the legs -- on the outside of the hammock, or on the inside? unless the full-length uq is radically tapered, there's lots of quilt where it is very much needed, but furrows and leaks diminish and even nullify the value.

i'll predict that we'll see some better insulation for the lower legs in future years, something functioning like a hat or hood for the head, but for the lower legs and feet, something more comfortable than firm pads

[USMCStang]

I'll second what DemostiX "whispered"

You being 6'2", you may want to go with the 3/4 in my opinion. It will be a little bulkier and heavier, but you will be able to go a little colder with it. You can always loosen one end to vent if it's a little too warm.

I use a 3/4" "Summer Only" Phoenix from Hammock Gear for 3 seasons. It's taken me down to 27 degrees with a 40 degree sleeping bag as a top quilt. It weighs a hair under 12 oz. Most of the weight of the quilt is fabric and suspension...there's only 4 oz. of down in it. It packs down to the size of a grapefruit, I'd guesstimate.

Side note, as mentioned above, a full length would really only be needed for winter, and even then, only for "deep" cold...in my case, that's anything below 15 degrees. For that "in between" from 15 - 30 degrees, I would just add a piece of CCF or reflectix under my legs with my usual Phoenix, or wear more clothes. YMMV

[Moondoggy]

I got my 3/4 for Christmas and I love it I have a DIY full and it's just too big and bulky! I got mine from Warbonnet it fits me great and I'm 6'6" tall !