Summer Quilt in NC Winter?

**JLeephoto** · 11-28-2013, 22:32

I've been going round and round over this in my mind and hope some of you that have done the same can give me some direction.
I've been testing my new hammock set-ups with pads while car camping the last few weeks and I've made them work fine down to around freezing. But that's gonna be too bulky on hiking days.
I don't think I'm a particularly cold sleeper. Not a furnace either.
I'm VERY rarely gonna be out in much below freezing temps, if ever. The bulk of my hiking/camping will be in the 30-80 range. I obviously want to keep my weight as low as possible. I have a slew of pad options now, including a pair of Evazote JRBs 1/4" that only weigh 4.3oz a piece.
So, the question is, would I be better off from a weight and comfort standpoint of going with maybe an overstuff 40 degree "summer" UQ and supplementing with pads as needed, or a 20 degree and for this range? The 2nd part of the question is 3/4 or full, does it really make much difference?

**OutandBack** · 11-28-2013, 23:38

From 45-70F I love my HG 40F Pheonix UQ

Colder than 45F I switch to a 20F full.

HG 20F full

**JLeephoto** · 11-28-2013, 23:43

If price was no issue, I'd have three quilt sets, multiple hammocks, backpacks, and Cuban fiber tarps. Alas, I'm already afraid my wife's gonna slit my throat in my sleep.
Beginning to think a 3/4 20 degree UQ is my best route in winter with a transition to the 1/4" Evazote pads when the nights hit the 50s.

**Catavarie** · 11-28-2013, 23:44

You'll have more nights that the 40° quilt will be appropriate in NC, however with the 20° you can vent for those times you are too warm.

**JLeephoto** · 11-28-2013, 23:50

I wondered how on/off the adjustment is on these? Can you vent them and dial the insulation back some without loosing all effect or is the venting that people talk about from the top?

**OutandBack** · 11-28-2013, 23:52

I sure didn't buy all my gear at once.
A lot of my gear is used from the forsale section.

A 20 3/4 with a nice pad in your TQ for your legs will serve you well.
If it turns out you start hanging more in the late Fall and Winter then get something warmer.

**Cadenza** · 11-30-2013, 00:21

I hike and camp almost exclusively in the mountains along the NC/TN state line.
For me, the 3/4 length 20 degree Hammock Gear and the 0 degree Underground Quilts full length serve me well year round.

If the temps are down to single digits I might layer with both.

**floorman** · 11-30-2013, 07:43

It's hard to say what will work for you, but in the 30-80 range I would not go with a *20 uq it would be over kill most of the time. My HG *40 serves me well into the thirties with no over stuff. I tested out a sock I made wed night with a *40 uq a diy tq that should rate to about *20. Temperatures went to the low 20's and I was warm all night, however w/o the sock It would have been very different. If you go with the extra 2 oz I don't think you will ever have a problem with the temps you will out in.

**dkurfiss** · 11-30-2013, 08:08

Only you can actually determine what will work and keep you comfortable. Each of us are different. What I found works for me is a warmer UQ and if I get too warm I vent it at both ends. The contrary being a colder UQ and not having enough with me to increase the warmth.

**TallPaul** · 11-30-2013, 08:14

I have a 3/4 20* bag and it has worked well for me here in NC.
I read on here I would be able to vent it but it was too hot in the peak summer.
Your idea of a thin pad then sounds good.