Are pads warmer?

[aidanb]

I use an underquilt but only seem to be slightly warmer when i have my torso length CCF pad underneath. Only one problem, its mid minnesota winter and i have a pretty wimpy UQ so I dont want to give up on UQ's yet. So I am looking to invest into a warmer UQ but dont want to drop serious $$$. Any suggestions?

[Shug]

You can combine the two together...pad and UQ and get on down in temps a good deal.
I prefer straight UQ but have combined the two several times in Minnesota deep winter.
Shug

[Lupus]

You could make your own UQ. Wilderness logics has some 850 FP down for $6.75 an oz. For 16 oz of Down, about $108 plus the cost of fabric and sewing time, you could have a 0* UQ made from Downy goodness.

[aidanb]

You can combine the two together...pad and UQ and get on down in temps a good deal.
I prefer straight UQ but have combined the two several times in Minnesota deep winter.
Shug

Sorry, what i meant was I was combining them and was still cold in the minnesota freeze

P.S my father and i love watching your videos, keep em coming.

[Shug]

Sorry, what i meant was I was combining them and was still cold in the minnesota freeze

P.S my father and i love watching your videos, keep em coming.

Howz about two pads in an SPE/EnoHotspot and your wimpy UQ....that could get you out there. I used double pads in an SPE and my first home-made UQ to some sub 0ºs with success.
Stay at it.....learn best by committing to a trip and seeing what you can do. Maybe have a bail-out plan.
Shug

[aidanb]

Howz about two pads in an SPE/EnoHotspot and your wimpy UQ....that could get you out there. I used double pads in an SPE and my first home-made UQ to some sub 0ºs with success.
Stay at it.....learn best by committing to a trip and seeing what you can do. Maybe have a bail-out plan.
Shug

Thanks Shug, this will definently work until I scrape up the dough for a toasty UQ or possibly a FrankenQuilt2 might be made in the future

[zukiguy]

You can stack different insulation so long as one doesn't crush the other. As already mentioned, add another pad and see how that helps. A space blanket next to you can reflect back some lost heat. Another "cheap" option might be to add a poncho liner UQ to your setup. It will add just a bit of warmth and also act like an overcover to hold more heat in the other layers. A dedicated overcover like one from 2QZQ never hurts either. Mine goes on most every trip.

Are you getting cold all over or just the dreaded "cold butt syndrome". If you're just generally cold you probably just need more insulation on top. If you're just getting cold in the butt or shoulder area then add some extra insulation in those areas first.

[aidanb]

You can stack different insulation so long as one doesn't crush the other. As already mentioned, add another pad and see how that helps. A space blanket next to you can reflect back some lost heat. Another "cheap" option might be to add a poncho liner UQ to your setup. It will add just a bit of warmth and also act like an overcover to hold more heat in the other layers. A dedicated overcover like one from 2QZQ never hurts either. Mine goes on most every trip.

Are you getting cold all over or just the dreaded "cold butt syndrome". If you're just generally cold you probably just need more insulation on top. If you're just getting cold in the butt or shoulder area then add some extra insulation in those areas first.

CSS Cold Shoulder Syndrome

[Jayson]

You should consider trying a Vapor Barrier system.
At our recent winter hang I was able to push a 0* HG underquilt to -22* by wearing a baselayer of polypro longjohns (top&bottom), the vapor barrier suit (top&bottom), 200 weight fleece midlayer (top&bottom), feet were covered with one pair of heavy wool work socks and my spare(dry) boot liners, the boot liners could be replaced or supplemented with a piece of CCF pad.

I was zipped inside of a 14* synthetic mummy bag which was zipped inside of a 10* down barrel bag. My head had basic dollar store balaclava with two holes for eyes and one for mouth...small patch covering nose is key for me to be able to sleep.
Based on my experience one year ago when the temps were -15* and my system was the same except the addition of my vapor barrier I was much more comfortable and slept deeper and longer.

[fishbait]

I picked up an Emergency Double Sided Thermal Reflective Blanket real cheap. Helped a lot in tests with my UQ. Basically it's a Reflectix Foam Pad.