Pad or underquilt, and WHY?

[Rolloff]

Quilts are warmer for most, and easy enough learning curve for most.

Pads however, are bombproof. Stay on em, stay warm.

Even once you commit to that first sack of down goodness, you won't get away from them. Too useful, too light, too cost effective.

You may cut them up or down in size, but they'll still come along in the form of a sit pad, foot box insulation, internal pack frame, can cozy, trekking pole handgrips, additional insulation.......

That list goes on and on as well.

Many people have one laying around from ground dwelling days. In many hammocks, they are already experiencing, a "Second Life" of sorts.

Also, if you are really becoming aware of your weights, then ditching the old 3 lb sleeping bag, you may be using, as a TQ, from those days, First, and going with a quality, lighter, TQ, before moving on to an UQ, may also be the faster, weight saving measure IMO.

I use pads. I will "evolve" my kit to include an UQ. I doubt I'll ever be weaned completely from pads. Just go with it

[XSrcing]

I use a pad cuz I'm broke as a joke!

[gunner76]

Under quilts are super expensive

But they are so comfortable.

You can get a good UQ from Arrowhead starting at $100 and going up from there

[dishonor39]

Coming from a tent background it was a lot easier for me to try pads at first, however I toss and turn a lot while I sleep, regardless of the bed- home, hammock, tent - it doesn't matter. I decided to go with UQs because I did not like having to come almost completely out of my sleep state to reposition the pad under me when I moved around in the hammock. Having experience UQs now, I would never use a pad again. UQs also compress into more convenient spaces.

[SPaCeMn]

I use a pad cuz I'm broke as a joke!

Amen! I haven't tried to hang during temps under 50 F, but I'll get that experience soon enough. I will say that the slipping is annoying so I'll have to read up more about the mods.

[designerider]

I would have to agree that the UQ has got to be way more comfortable even though I don't use one. For me it comes down to cost, weight, versatility, and performance. I have a Neo Air which is still a pretty expensive pad, but cheaper than most UQ's. My pad weighs about 13 Oz and covers me from head to toe. What UQ can make that claim at that weight. If I am near an AT shelter and want to forgo hanging, can I just drag my pad into the shelter and set up there. You bet. Can I set up the tarp and go to ground if I have to. Absolutely. I have been on my pad down to 20 degrees and have been as comfortable as I would have been when it's 80 degrees with the same kit.

[grannypat]

I use a gossamer gear 1/4 pad cut to shape because I can't afford an underquilt yet.

[XSrcing]

But they are so comfortable.

You can get a good UQ from Arrowhead starting at $100 and going up from there

$100 is a lot of money to some people. That's how much I have in my entire set up.

[ewhammock]

So has anyone seen/used the ENO Hot Spot? Obviously a page from the Speer SPE book...but I suppose hips could still get cold?

http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.c...uct/A4011.html