When to underquilt

[SnrMoment]

July where I go on some trips:



Night time temps are usually in the lower 40's or less. Never go without the quilt and it's rated to about 15* with the over stuff. Cold sleeper besides.

[DemostiX]

Warbonnetguy reveals that his double layer RidgeRunner hammock is differential cut: the outer layer sufficiently larger than the inner layer that up to 2" of pad is not compressed. That being the case, I'll bet that as with the Clark NX and NA hammocks pleated pockets, the outer layer of fabric reduces evaporative cooling of the inner layer by outside dry air or any breeze whatever. That implies that an undercover with a good seal with a gap even after you are in the hammock would help greatly. (And weigh less @ no more than 4yd2 of fabric.

Don't underestimate --or count on -- the benefits of stiff wool sweater and fleece pants as interior insulation.

But, I'm with everyone else surprised to learn that we're used to having no draft and evaporative cooling from below. Makes sense after lifetimes that way.

Also: Insulated underneath means the clothes alone may be sufficient to 60F on top.

[CannonBeach]

Is it safe to say that with an underquilt you will generally use a lighter sleeping bag than if you were using a pad?

[DemostiX]

Is it safe to say that with an underquilt you will generally use a lighter sleeping bag than if you were using a pad?

On average: Yes.
Why? Because the typical pad is 24" / .4M. You rest on it. The UQ is 39-48" (1-1.3m) wide. It comes up the side of your body in the hammock, insulating three sides altogether, all but the top.

I was concerned about a RAB top bag not being wide enough when adapted into a top quilt. Not a problem. Further, you can maximize the warmth of a baffled down sleeping bag opened and used as a top quilt by grasping the zippered edge and shaking the down away from the zipper. When you spread the bag with the zippers on the outside, the down, loft and warmth will be concentrated above you.

[Rain Man]

I have been too cold to nap in my hammock on a summer hike on the Appalachian Trail on a Tennessee mountain top in the middle of the day!

Of course, a good breeze was blowing wind and fog straight through everything, as I stopped to wait for a slower hiker. My bright idea of putting up my hammock to lay down was shot down my mother nature.

Not to mention, the coldest night I have so far spent backpacking was a summer night on Standing Indian Mountain on the AT in North Carolina. Over a mile high with a stiff wind in the clouds and fog. I was on the ground that night, but with only a fleece blanket, sleeping pad, and Frogg Toggs. Never again.

So, to answer your question, ... I need an UQ all year 'round.

Rain Man

.

[Vincebus]

Good info, I'm gonna work on my uq. Got a couple of the JCP puffer coats on clearance a while back to make one. I'm generally one of those over-preparrers anyhow. ..

[Pinata]

I planned to make a lighter Underquilt for summer. Not going to bother. Just bring it. Better to have it with you than to need it and be cold. I loosen mine a small bit if I get warm, snug it up close for more warmth. Worth the weight and way, way better than trying to keep a pad in place.

[captaincoupal]

I agree with the others. When it falls below 70F overnight or so, I start getting really cold on my back. The HHSS works pretty well. The first 10 degrees, I just use the undercover (which cuts down on the wind). After that I use the pad. Mighty warm!

I made a second pad to supplement the HHSS out of a PLUQ cut design specifically for the HH - I haven't used it yet, but expect to when the temps continue to drop in the fall. I also used a pad in the past, but the shoulders still get cold though my sleeping bag, so the HHSS is really working great for me, and it's really a no-fiddle solution, which I like, especially since I'm using the bottom entry on my HH and there isn't a lot of means to fiddle with the insulation.

[William36]

It amazed me that under about 70 you need one. But then again maybe I ain't the sharpest tool in the lunch box.

[Knotty]

Even at 75°F I often need an under quilt.