At what temperature does the UQ come into play?

[JordanFerg92]

So I did some cold weather hammocking this winter and I've seen everyone talking about their UQ. I slept in 20F and a slight breeze with my thermarest pad comfortably, was even hot by the time I got comfortable. I was able to sleep the entire night warm and cozy like that in my marmot trestles 15F without any CBS. With that being said I was just wondering at what temperature you would start needing to use an UQ.

[gunner76]

Most folks will need some sort of insulation ( pad or UQ) once the temps drop below 70. Many factors involved... are you a warm or cold sleeper, is it windy, ect ect.

Comes down to what works for you.

[weaver2469]

I think that you can go pretty low with pads, especially if you stack a couple. Most people use underquilts for the packability, comfort and ease of use, not because they are warmer. Many have problems keeping centered on pads or have trouble since most pads are only 20 inches wide and most shoulders are not. Also, they can feel kind of stiff if you are used to laying right on the hammock. Underquilts come up higher on the shoulders. If you are warm and comfortable with your pad, stick with it.

[CoreyR]

When your butt gets cold!

[Rolloff]

When you wish/afford to extend the comfort of your kit.

[Bushwhacker]

I think I heard 50F was the threshold for bottom insulation, and I can't imagine that ccfs will get you much below 10C, but I can't be sure. I know I tried to sleep out in -15C with a single CCF, and when I bailed and got inside my house, I realized that the only reason I was on the verge of sleep was that I was really close to hypothermia.


Try double layering CCFs.

[DuctTape]

As mentioned previously, it isn't a matter of when uq's become necessary for temp as pads can provide insulation as well. In fact, I use pads exclusively in winter. My UQ is for summer use only. I have used pads down to minus 20*F and was plenty warm.

[dkurfiss]

Hmm, in my thoughts an UQ is not needed if you have a good pad. Pads/UQ are both good forms of bottom insulation. I have used both and been comfortable with both. I do like to have an SPE ( check this thread for Shug's video on subject https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...d-Pad-Extender) so that my shoulders do not get cold when the temps are low.

As to when I (and this is a personal thing so you might be different) need some form of bottom insulation is pretty much any time I am camping. If it's warm I just vent my UQ to allow for air flow but I rarely go without something below me even if it's only my PLUQ (poncho liner under quilt) instead of my down.

[ShellHammock]

UQ's are just more comfortable and are breathable insulators; ie, yu'd have a hard time overheating with one (given the thickness or loft is somewhat appropriate for the season).

Pads just don't conform to the hammock and yur body as well as a Hammock + UQ combo does.

Most ppl need something below them when the temps dip below 70-75 degrees which is most places even in august! that something could be a pad, yur sleeping bag (granted it doesn't compress too much under yu) clothing, or a blanket, or many other things! but bare back in a hammock, it can be quite warm outside and yu still feel a chill. That's why 99% of ppl never leave without some sort of bottom insulation.

[mrjaw14]

I used to use a pad every trip and I ran into the following issues:
1. no matter what time of year I'd wake up wet from sweat using a 3/8" GI issue pad.
2. pad would shift out of place, buckle creating ridges, etc so not very comfy
3. pad is too warm in summer, and it's either there or not...with a UQ you can at least adjust it to vent more or less, and you can even pull it off you for the first part of the night and pull it on early AM when it gets colder

Pads are more fool-proof in that CBS isn't as big an issue, more just lay it in and forget, and you can stack pads in the winter to extend to temp range you can handle.

I was in 50ish degree at night weather a few weeks ago and definitely needed something under me but would have been way too hot with a pad. I agree that 70* is about when you need to start using something under you. above 70 for the low and I'll transition to more of a suspended fleece blanket. so your question can be broke down into what kind of UQ are we talking about? what temps will you be in? Windy or calm? I was nice and warm til the wind kicked up and it found every gap in my diy underquilt.