pads work better than down under quilts for me

[nothermark]

Two thoughts:
1. A pad is just easier to understand and monitor. One is on it or not. OTOH there seems to be a high fiddle factor to getting a quilt set up right.

2. When I made my first pad cover I used polartech fleece for one side. I sleep on the fleece with an open sleeping bag as a quilt. Works quite well. The pads come out for use as kneeling pads as I am usually canoeing.

[Oblomov]

In my limited experience on a thermarest in my hennessy explorer, it's hard work wriggling onto the pad and then untwisting the bag. UQ/TQ seems like a clear win in that situation.

OTOH, it's begging for a simple velcro hack or utilise the radiant pad securing rings to keep the pad+spe in place.

I'm definitely going to run up an SPE, but really need to get a backyard hang sorted before I start modding.

[DuctTape]

sounds more like the operator error than the underquilt

The same could be said about ccf.

[neo]

sounds more like the operator error than the underquilt

leave it to eddie to be a wise guy lolneo

[Ewker]

leave it to eddie to be a wise guy lolneo

just sayin Neo..you know how you are

[oldpappy]

I use a sleeping bag and a blanket when it's "cold" and a fleece bag when it is warmer. As someone that can't get a blanket to lay in my hammock without all bunching up then falling out when I get in, how do you keep a foam pad in place? Is it easier because it is a bit rigid? I am a hot sleeper so I want to try the less expensive options before moving to the more expensive but warmer ones.

How are you making out with this?
I don't have a UQ; pads are all I've ever used - I can't provide a comparison, but here is what I do in my HH single layer bottom a-sym hammock:
I cut a Gossamer Gear 3/16" Thinlight closed-cell hammock pad in half. This size fits my upper body and by cutting it in half I have two pads that I have used down to 20F. I use the pad under the compressed areas - shoulders to butt/thighs.
I wrap the closed-cell pad(s) in an old flannel sheet (so it is like a large flannel pillow case). I put this in the hammock and under my sleeping bag (not in the sleeping bag), with a string tied from the flannel 'pillow case' to my ridgeline (up front) to keep it in place.
The flannel wicks the moisture away from you, so the flannel is damp in the morning, but you and the sleeping bag are dry. You need to air the flannel out to dry it prior to the next night.
I haven't used this in cold wet conditions (mid 30's and rain), or below 22F, so I don't know how the flannel would work in a cold/wet/rainy situation (works well in powder snow). I think the flannel as a moisture wick is important – just wrap an old flannel sheet around your pads and try it.
If you want to shop local to experiment, I think the 24" blue closed cell camping pads are not wide enough for hammock use. I think the closed cell exercise mats would work. Also, Home-Depot/Lowes have 24” wide Reflextex = bubble wrap with foil on both sides. Could be used with a wide pad.
My #1 trick for winter camping comfort is to wear wool socks and put a thermos of hot water in the sleeping bag near your thighs (acts like a hot water bottle but lasts all night long).
I do use blankets inside my sleeping bag - like you, blankets just bunch up on me when used alone in a hammock.
P.S. You can tell the weather is nasty here - this one long note:>)

[neo]

i did not get to try the adjustment on my 20 degree phoenix because last thursday my hammock gear quilt set and my claytor jungle hammock were stolen at the mid tenn winter hangout,i am still sad about it.it will take me a year to replace it.one guy at the hangout said its not a big deal just get over it.that is easy for him to say.neo

[OldRagFreeze]

i did not get to try the adjustment on my 20 degree phoenix because last thursday my hammock gear quilt set and my claytor jungle hammock were stolen at the mid tenn winter hangout,i am still sad about it.it will take me a year to replace it.one guy at the hangout said its not a big deal just get over it.that is easy for him to say.neo

What?!?!?! Stolen hammock gear at a Hammock Forums hang? Surely it isn't so.

[neo]

What?!?!?! Stolen hammock gear at a Hammock Forums hang? Surely it isn't so.

i hung my set up,my girl friends set up and my set up.i went into town and mine was missing,they went for the more expensive set up.the park ranger said that there have only been 4 to 5 thefts in the 22 years he has been there,i been camping there 15 years now and this was the 1st time anything has been stolen.i been hosting 2 to 3 hammock forums hangouts there 6 years in a roll nowneo

[oldpappy]

Sorry for you loss, but thank-you for the (painful) post.
Maybe we can all learn from this - we need to watch over each other's stuff.