Synthetic top quilts?

**Mrprez** · 03-11-2009, 07:02

So, I've had several people ask me I would be making synthetic top quilts as well. I have toyed with the idea and in fact have one here that is almost complete.

I wanted to see what size would be best overall, what temp ranges and the final weight would make this idea viable. Also, any other features that might be good, like corner loops, footbox, etc.

**Take-a-knee** · 03-11-2009, 07:47

Above all else, a top quilt needs a head hole, this would also mean no fixed footbox.

**Mrprez** · 03-11-2009, 08:09

Originally Posted by Take-a-knee

Above all else, a top quilt needs a head hole, this would also mean no fixed footbox.

I guess you mean so it could be worn as a poncho around camp?

**gunn parker** · 03-11-2009, 08:35

Yes, no fixed foot box and a head hole for wearing in camp.
Normally you get to camp and setup the hammock, then toss in the top quilt. All that warmth is going to waste while you sit around and chat around the fire.

Duel purpose is the way to go.

**MacEntyre** · 03-11-2009, 16:01

My synthetic top quilt is a combination of a Speer Frog Sac and a Wiggy's poncho liner. The Frog Sac goes on top of me, with the bottom closed, and zipped up to my knees. The Wiggy's poncho liner goes on top of that. When it's real cold, I double one corner of the poncho liner under my feet for a makeshift footbox. I put the opposite corner above my head to make a roomy canopy over my face.

I'd like a top quilt that is the right size and shape for use inside a hammock. I'm not sure it needs to be dual purpose. It definitely needs a foot box. I suppose a larger Frog Sac would suit me... call it a Possum Sac, with more insulation that the total of my Frog Sac plus poncho liner, and a marsupial-like foot box.

On the other hand, I do like using a two layer top quilt very much. I just bought goose feather booties for $11, so maybe I don't need anything at all!

**Take-a-knee** · 03-11-2009, 17:26

Originally Posted by Mrprez

I guess you mean so it could be worn as a poncho around camp?

That's it, from about mid-May till early fall in the Southern Appalachians with a poncho quilt you don't need to carry a vest or jacket, maybe a thin fleece. That saves at least a half pound.

**LostCause** · 03-11-2009, 17:35

if you have a fixed footbox and a way to attach it to the 'top' while in poncho mode, it could double as a pocket/hand warmer like a hooded sweatshirt

**MacEntyre** · 03-11-2009, 18:00

Geez, folks, that sounds like a detachable foot box that doubles as a hood for the head opening of a poncho liner. A velcro closure on the head opening would make it disappear in quilt mode.

MrPrez, you could experiment with a poncho liner to perfect the hood, then make one with the right shape for a top quilt, which is not necessarily a rectangle.

**LostCause** · 03-11-2009, 18:09

Not exactly what i was getting at... A hood is a little complicated for this kind of thing. I was talking about just having a fixed footbox on a quilt with a head hole.

The footbox would double as a pocket to carry stuff around, but with the weight you would need to attach it around to the part that's on your back.

Not that it's needed at all. It would be longer with out the fixed footbox, but for some reason I never have enough pockets....

it would definitely be "marsupial-like" though...
a KA-kangaroo quilt