Fleece Top Quilts

[Girotogo]

I have some extra fleece. Thinking of making a TQ for the summer. What do you guys think...anyone using a fleece TQ? What temperature range would this be good for?

[breyman]

Most find it good down to 55 or 60*F. Derek Hansen (aka Dehoja) recently did a nice article on making a fleece (or similar) TQ.

http://theultimatehang.com/2013/05/d...iner-and-hood/

[Mouseskowitz]

I have one but it's mainly for supplementing my PLTQ. The main issue I have with it by itself is the lack of wind protection. I have a tendency to have a breeze on my feet for some reason and they don't like being cold.

[SilvrSurfr]

I was going to try a fleece blanket next weekend as a top quilt. I would also guess it's good down to 60 degrees. Then again, I'm a really hot sleeper and would have a 20* UQ.

[samsara]

I have started using a fleece TQ after the warm nighttime temps were too much for my "single season" (almost 4 season in central FL) 40 degree GoLite down TQ. I love my down TQ but it was difficult regulating the temp since just about every night this past hammock season was too cool for no TQ but I got sweaty as soon as I was covered in my down TQ.

I had a fleece sleeping bag that I purchased at KMart for about $8 that I started using because I figured I could keep it on me but it would breath better and not be quite as warm. It worked perfectly! As others have said, you would want something for the wind (like have your rain jacket handy to wrap around your legs). Other than that, the only problem is that it is bulky and was 2-3 times the size of my 40 degree down TQ.

If the nighttime temps are predicted to be 55-60 then I'll take my fleece, below that and I'll take my down. Don't forget that all sites vary so the temps you see can sometimes be 10+ degrees colder at night than the weather prediction shows.

Dave

[Girotogo]

A fleece TQ sounds more appealing. If I have a big tarp with doors, wouldn't that keep the wind out? If not, what material should I use for a windblock. I have some ripstop 1.1 but don't think that is a windstopper.

[Mouseskowitz]

A fleece TQ sounds more appealing. If I have a big tarp with doors, wouldn't that keep the wind out? If not, what material should I use for a windblock. I have some ripstop 1.1 but don't think that is a windstopper.

If you have doors you'll be good to go. If it isn't working for some strange reason, the 1.1 will do the trick. You don't need much, it's just that fleece has about a 0% wind stopping ability.

[olddog]

I have a DIY 3 piece TQ system and mix and match dependent on the expected temps. All have a sewn footbox and allow sleeving them togeather at the foot.
Layer #1 is a polyester quilt comparable to a poncho liner
#2 is fleece
#3 is a polyester fabric used as a windbreaker
#2 is comfortable down to 60 by itself and is what I use every night in 72 degree AC
#2 & #3 will get down to the 50s
#1 & #3 will get down to the 40s
#1, #2 & #3 has worked down to the mid 20s with some polypro thermals
#3 alone would probably be good for summers but I don't do summers down here.

I try not to take the fleece on the trail as it is heavier and bulkier than the other two combined.

[nartoff]

Fleece is heavy and bulky, but my favorite thing about it is that it doesn't get that sickly feeling that a lot of the nylons get when the weather gets warm and moist. This said, the UL hiker in me wouldn't dream of using it for anything more than car camping for climbing trips.

[SM_Shawn]

Think that I am going to make one of those from Derek. I have a 0* UQ, plan to use it all year 'round...I figure that with night-time summer temps in the 60's and 70's, this will be a good solution, and if I get too hot from underneath, I can vent the UQ a bit.

Our Scout troop is staying in Upper MI this summer, about 20 miles from Lake Superior...I would imagine that the temps are cooler compared to those within an hour of Green Bay (night temps in mid-summer can hover around 70 and can be very humid, too).

Any thoughts on this setup?