PLUQ only good to 55* for me

[drifter]

Tested out my just completed 2/3 sewn PLUQ last night. Had on a T shirt and a medium weight jogging suit. It was 62* when I turned in for the night and all was good. Woke up at 11pm with a cold back side, at 49*. Wasn’t trying to make it thru the night, just wanted to know what the limits of this UQ would be for me. So I got up, went inside and made few notes about the results. As everyone knows or should know, test new gear close to home, or have a bail out plan.

[Cermichael]

I took my PLUG down to 49 F a few nights ago. I slid a windshield cover between the sides of the PLUG and synched it up good. I wore a long sleeve shirt, long pants, light head cover and regular socks. I used my summer sleeping bag (rated as comfortable at 46 F). I was comfortable. On other occasions I have taken it down to 37 F by using a pad and a warmer sleeping bag.[IMG]RecentPictures (C:\Users\Mikeha\My Pictures (137)[/IMG]

[Passinthru]

Without any underside insulation, most of us start to feel the chill at somewhere around 70degrees. From my experience I think a single layer of poncho liner should gain you about 10*-15* improvement. I don't know if your PLUQ is a single layer or a double layer but if it is single layer then 55* sounds about right.

[olddog]

drifter, on my first ever hang I survived 32 f with a PLUQ supplemented with a layer of insul-fleece. It is a fleece coated mylar with micro perforations to prevent condensation. Check your local fabric store or WM if they have a fabric dept. It is light but rather bulky.

[FLRider]

I'd rate the no-sew PLUQ to about 40* for me. I did a series of tests last winter in my front yard. Those may help with diagnosing just what might have caused you to be cold. I found the PLUQ to be a bit finicky about fit.

Considering my space heater tendencies when I sleep, I figure most folks should get about 45* to 50* as the low end with a no-sew.

I also did the same thing as olddog with the InsulBright, and I've found the sewn up version to be good as low as 25*. Most folks would find it good to about freezing or slightly above.

Hope it helps!

[drifter]

Thanks for the input everyone but what I’m doing is looking for something to use this spring (long range planning) so I was just playing around with a new project to see what it was good for. I already have two other DIY UQ’s. One that is synthetic is good to 40* but doesn’t pack down very small. And my DIY down, well I still don’t know what its limit is yet, but I was toasty on a 28* night. My problem is I suffer from no built in insulation. When the temp drops below 60 during the day I’m looking for my thermals!