Wool blanket or down blanket instead of UQ?

**taverre** · 12-23-2012, 18:48

I was wondering if there has been any attempts to use a wool blanket or down blanket, shoved inside a dual layered hammock, instead of an under quilt or pad? I'm getting a wbbb for Xmas and think my wife's blessing would evaporate if I added to this an UQ so I'm trying to get creative. For those of you with dual layer hammocks, is there any reason one couldn't get away with something like this?

Thank you!

Tim

**MAD777** · 12-23-2012, 19:01

Go with a closed cell foam (CCF) pad. Get one 30" wide or build up a couple of narrow ones with duct tape. They are cheap and lightweight and your wife won't think they are expensive either

Anything else you put between the layers is going to compress and lose most of it's ability to insulate.

Next Christmas, go for the underquilt.

**taverre** · 12-23-2012, 19:24

Thanks for the tip Mike. Is a dual layer just for pads or do people ever put sleeping bags or blankets in there for insulation?

**dammfast** · 12-23-2012, 19:39

Anything that you put in there needs to be something that won't compress. The reason underquilts work it that you are not crushing them with your weight. When you use a sleeping bag in your hammock your bottom gets cold because the insulation value is gone when you compress the bag.

**Trooper** · 12-23-2012, 19:53

Originally Posted by MAD777

Next Christmas, go for the underquilt.

Underquilt prices plummet in the 24-48 hours after Thanksgiving.

A foam pad is the cheapest way to get effective insulation under you. Putting anything else between a double layered hammock is reinventing the wheel.

**Vulture** · 12-23-2012, 20:09

I'm a noob, but I've seen a lot of creativity and do it yourself projects that are well admired. Maybe hit the second hand stores and make your own UQ?

**dammfast** · 12-23-2012, 20:25

A PLUQ is a cheap and effective way to go. I have one that I have $18 total invested in and took it down to 40 degrees this past summer. I have three quilts now, the PLUQ, a Jarbidge, and a DIY down quilt. Bang for the buck is definitely the PLUQ, I am still in the air after that. For what I payed for each quilt it is hard to say which is the better deal. If you are looking just to get started I would go find a military surplus store and buy a poncho liner, or check eBay, I got one of my liners there for $12 shipped. If you have any sewing skills you can make a sewed PLUQ that you add and remove additional insulation. There really are a ton of options

**taverre** · 12-24-2012, 09:42

Decided to pull the trigger on a Jarbridge uq since the on sale price is better than the time and money it would take for me to try to DIY one. My sewing ability is limited to more of a stitch. Thank you all for the suggestions.
Tim

**breyman** · 12-24-2012, 09:56

A wool blanket, while heavy and large, would do okay between the layers. Wool and fleece still hold most of their insulative properties when compressed. I'm not sure what temp rating you'd get out of it, but it would be an easy (and free... if you already have one) thing to try in the back yard...

**Trooper** · 12-24-2012, 10:16

Originally Posted by taverre

Decided to pull the trigger on a Jarbridge uq since the on sale price is better than the time and money it would take for me to try to DIY one. My sewing ability is limited to more of a stitch. Thank you all for the suggestions.
Tim

A foam pad works fine and is cheap. But nothing compares to the enveloping warmth of an underquilt. You made a very wise choice.