Under quilt or top quilt

[Theosus]

Underquilt! Of course once you get that, you'll be wanting to get rid of that heavy sleeping bag and go with a TQ. My TQ is about 40% lighter and half the size of my old sleeping bag, at the same weight.

[RadicalHope]

Underquilt! Of course once you get that, you'll be wanting to get rid of that heavy sleeping bag and go with a TQ. My TQ is about 40% lighter and half the size of my old sleeping bag, at the same weight.

True story. I went with a down UQ and it is so amazingly light and compact. My generic synthetic 20* sleeping bag is heavy in comparison and ridiculously bulky. That darn thing takes up the whole bottom of my pack Can't wait to ditch it for a down TQ!

[enyapjr]

My 'vote' would be for an UQ first.

After getting an OES Spinn tarp for my HH ULB, a JrB UQ was my next major hanging upgrade purchase - I found pads were not comfortable enough for me plus they were a BIG hassle in the HH bottom entry (I already had 2 great WM sleeping bags, a 20* & 35*, that served sufficiently in the hammock for the time being)...
Next 'minor' purchase was a 2QZQ zipper mod (I got my ULB long before HH came out with side zips)...

Started saving up for a WBBB - all those HF members using them certainly can't be wrong(!)... (they weren't!!)

...followed by a HG 3/4 UQ for the BB; then, finally, a TQ (so much easier using a TQ designed for a hammock than using a sleeping bag as a quilt, plus it lightened my pack another few more ounces, too!)...

...then a Cuben tarp was 'calling' me (from HG)...

Of course(!), there was also DutchWare here and there throughout, along with making Amsteel whoopies, Zing-It/Lash-It tarp lines, Prussic loops, etc., plus various 'little' things from AHE and others...

As my load got lighter and smaller, naturally I 'needed' a smaller/lighter ULA pack, too(!)...

Next will be a ZPacks breathable Cuben jacket...

Then, after that...........

Careful - it truly can become an addiction!! Watch out for those sneaky 'pusher' cottage vendors hanging out around every HF corner!!
I actually blame my 'addiction' on the big wigs of the hammock cartel, not the pushers - JustJeff - his website I stumbled across started it all, reinforced by Sgt. Rock as I searched further, then Hammock Forums, Shug, and all the other HF 'enablers' out there - you're all to blame... It's really not MY fault!
Is there a Hammocks Anonymous group meeting nearby?

But, honestly, a big "Thank you" to all of you here at HF for "elevating my perspective" and keeping me 'high' on hanging...

[sjarvis]

I'm going to jump on the bandwagon, too: UQ before TQ.

I started with using my old Thermarest for a few months, then I added an UQ. Such a huge difference in warmth and comfort! I used my sleeping bag or a fleece bag, depending on the temperature, for over a year. I just bought a TQ, and I get to try the combo out this weekend! Really looking forward to it.

[obewise]

A thread like this wouldn't be complete without a differing opinion, would it.

I also traded in my blue pad for an UQ before making my own top quilt this past summer.

In hind sight, I would probably do things differently.

My reason for getting a TQ first is due to weight and bulk. I'm no gram weenie, but I am trying to keep my pack size and load as small and as light as possible.

When I traded in my blue pad for an UQ, I saved some bulk, but only about 5 oz in weight. However, I was still required to pack along my bulky, 4+ lb sleeping bag.

Had I gone with the TQ first, I would have saved over 3 lbs in weight AND reduced the bulk of my pack.

Since getting rid of my bulky sleeping bag, I have been able to purchase a smaller, lighter pack which reduced my load by almost another 4 lbs. In all, by switching to a TQ instead of a sleeping bag, I was able to reduce my total weight by 7 lbs.

Just my two cents.

[cadmanj]

UQ's rock!!!!

[Stumblefoot]

I've been hammock camping over ten years. I bought an UQ and loved it. Bought a 2nd one and love it too. Never have gotten around to buying a TQ. I keep using my 20 degree down bag opened like a quilt.