Do I really need a underquilt protector? What are there purpose? When would/ should I use one?
Thanks Zach
Do I really need a underquilt protector? What are there purpose? When would/ should I use one?
Thanks Zach
I'll start. You don't 'need' one, but they are light/small/handy to have (6 oz. and size of a softball)
I use mine to block the wind from robbing my heat in cool weather and I use it to keep the bugs/skeeters from biting my back side.
It is also used to keep rain spray/splash off your UQ during thunderstorms.
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I agree with oldpappy, you don't need one. I picked one up used. I mostly got it for winter camping when it's windy. I spent one chilly night when I would get everything warmed up and then a gust would make it's way through my winter tarp and suck away all the warmth. It took about 5 minutes to warm up again and then another gust would hit....long night. I have not had that issue when using the UQP.
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Not needed but well worth it in rain storms and cold weather.
I'd rather have a full length winter tarp.
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Ralph Waldo Emerson
It depends on what the outer shell of your hammock is made of. Some fabrics are both wind and water resistant and really don't require protection (but they weigh more). Fabrics that don't have those qualities will need one b/c, as noted above, they are susceptible to wind and rain.
Wind is the biggest culprit. The quilt is below you and you're protected by the tarp. If wind blown rain comes in the end of your tarp, the most that will happen is that the ends of your quilt will get damp---but that wind will rob you of heat throughout the entire length of the quilt. No winter tarp will protect you from air movement coming through the ends of your tarp.
The three main defenses are doors on your tarp, wind resistant fabrics for the outer shell of the UQ, and/or a UQP. A winter sock might also afford you some protection, but it also must be constructed of wind resistant material.
I make my quilts out of Epsilon, but take a bit of an extra precaution by making them extra wide so that they come up around the edges of the hammock and "cocoon" me, thus blocking air movement from the side and limiting it from the ends.
I recently made 2 using HyperD 1.0, calendered on 1 side. Built just like a hammock only using shock cord through the end channels. I also added a knotty mod each side midship.
Easy setup, adds 5-10 deg, protects my incubator. Compresses to softball size as stated above. I use mine every time, even with my poncho liner quilt.
A few years ago, UQPs did not even exist, so don't be surprised if you don't need one, never did need one, and never will need one. If you use a winter tarp with doors, it's highly unlikely that you will ever need one (I'm using the HG Winter Palace).
On the other hand, plenty of people will use a skimpy tarp without doors and get wet. Rather than get an adequate tarp, they'll buy a UQP. It works for them, and it will work for you, if you don't mind the five to seven ounces of additional weight.
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Ralph Waldo Emerson
And then there are people like me. A have a winter tarp with doors and still use the UQP in the cold weather...just in case. If I were backpacking and weight mattered and the forecast didn't call for rain, I wouldn't bring it. Otherwise, why not? Price is not bad.
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