Locolibre Ghost Pepper top quilt

[Rouskof]

There are so many optional features :
Hot box or flat footbox, or snap/drawcord
10" or 5" full taper or no taper
With or without neck draft colar

What is one supposed to pick for a comfortable top quilt meant to be used primarily in a hammock ?

[Flash Grundelore]

I am looking at those same quilts...
My own thought is that the snap/drawcord bottom would give me more variation at higher temperatures. I have a CDT with a drawcord, and I love being able to kick my feet right out from under it if I start to overheat. I am looking at a 30° model with the idea of using the CDT as an overquilt for the bottom end temperatures, although I would see myself seldom going any lower than the 20° range [and that only once or twice a year].
Because of these considerations, I will probably also go no taper [again, to give me increased variations], no over-stuff and no draft collar.
[I am really tempted to take the savings from all these add-ons, and get George to do the exterior in RbtR's new "Fallen Leaves" 15 poly taffeta.]

[Rouskof]

It looks rather bothering to have to hunch to your feet in the hammock in the middle of the night to close that footbox. I have no experience with top quilts, but it seems easier to put one leg outside in the evening if too hot and then back in during the night if temperature drops ?

[Billy Goat]

I have a 20* ghost pepper and I love it. I did opt for the cinch footbox and no taper. I also got standard length and width. It's been great in warmer weather but I feel if I had it all over to do again I would have gotten the hotbox foot box and an extra long. I'm 6'2" and it mostly covers me from feet to neck, but if I stretch out at all its a tad short. I also feel like the cinch box (which I love for early cold mornings around camp, wearing the quilt like a cape) is lacking a bit for real cold weather camping. It seems to open up a bit in the night. Next time I go out, I will be tying a slippery half hitch on the cinch line to see if that helps. I haven't noticed much issue with warmth as long as the hole stays shut. This is IN NO WAY a bad review of the quilt. It was all options that I chose in part, due to my ignorance involving quilts and their use/features/etc. George makes a fantastic product and you really can't go wrong with his stuff. I just wish I would have ordered a little differently.

Cheers,
the Goat

[georgecarr]

There are so many optional features :
Hot box or flat footbox, or snap/drawcord
10" or 5" full taper or no taper
With or without neck draft colar

What is one supposed to pick for a comfortable top quilt meant to be used primarily in a hammock ?

Well, lets break it down.

Hotbox - warmest option, dedicated footbox. Flat Sewn -cheaper option, dedicated footbox, not good if you have large feet. Snap/Drawcord - most versatile, can be opened to lay quilt flat or wear as a serape, open needs to be plugged, cheap

Taper - 10" has a mummy bag feel, good for most except possible restless sleepers, most efficient to heat. 5" taper - good compromise if you need a little more foot room, or are not sure between none or 10" taper. No taper - restless sleepers, those who like to kick, not thermally as efficient, those who have warm feet and lower body.

Draft collars are most often chosen by either the coldest of sleepers or those transitioning between sleeping bags and quilts who are just not sure.

Only you know what kind of sleeper you are, but the coldest sleepers will want an insulated footbox, as much taper as your body size will allow, and possibly a draft collar. On the other end of the spectrum warm sleepers can get away with a snap footbox, and no taper or draft collar.

[georgecarr]

I have a 20* ghost pepper and I love it. I did opt for the cinch footbox and no taper. I also got standard length and width. It's been great in warmer weather but I feel if I had it all over to do again I would have gotten the hotbox foot box and an extra long. I'm 6'2" and it mostly covers me from feet to neck, but if I stretch out at all its a tad short. I also feel like the cinch box (which I love for early cold mornings around camp, wearing the quilt like a cape) is lacking a bit for real cold weather camping. It seems to open up a bit in the night. Next time I go out, I will be tying a slippery half hitch on the cinch line to see if that helps. I haven't noticed much issue with warmth as long as the hole stays shut. This is IN NO WAY a bad review of the quilt. It was all options that I chose in part, due to my ignorance involving quilts and their use/features/etc. George makes a fantastic product and you really can't go wrong with his stuff. I just wish I would have ordered a little differently.

Cheers,
the Goat

We might not have had the XL length when you ordered. We now offer an 85" length on our topquilts which is probably a better choice 6'2" and up.

[sqidmark]

I have two 20* Ghost Peppers in my LLG cart now. Both have the hotbox, draft collar, no taper. Currently I'm using CDT's with no taper and like option of using one inside the other while retaining plenty of room to wiggle my feet. My foot boxes are sewn and I haven't felt any desire to change from that, I just pull my feet out when necessary. Other priorities are the only thing keeping me from pushing "submit".

FG's idea with the fallen leaves fabric sounds like a nice touch.

[Rouskof]

Well, lets break it down.

Hotbox - warmest option, dedicated footbox. Flat Sewn -cheaper option, dedicated footbox, not good if you have large feet. Snap/Drawcord - most versatile, can be opened to lay quilt flat or wear as a serape, open needs to be plugged, cheap

Taper - 10" has a mummy bag feel, good for most except possible restless sleepers, most efficient to heat. 5" taper - good compromise if you need a little more foot room, or are not sure between none or 10" taper. No taper - restless sleepers, those who like to kick, not thermally as efficient, those who have warm feet and lower body.

Draft collars are most often chosen by either the coldest of sleepers or those transitioning between sleeping bags and quilts who are just not sure.

Only you know what kind of sleeper you are, but the coldest sleepers will want an insulated footbox, as much taper as your body size will allow, and possibly a draft collar. On the other end of the spectrum warm sleepers can get away with a snap footbox, and no taper or draft collar.

Thanks for these detailed explanations, that surely helps. Apparently, there is also a good weight/bulk saving with the taper.

[TrailSlug]

It looks rather bothering to have to hunch to your feet in the hammock in the middle of the night to close that footbox. I have no experience with top quilts, but it seems easier to put one leg outside in the evening if too hot and then back in during the night if temperature drops ?I have the hot box on all my quilts except for my 50°, and this is exactly what I do. When I start to get hot I simply pull my legs our of the quilt. Works great. The only reason I would opt for a snap/drawcord bottom is to turn the top quilt to a flat quilt to use at home or at the cabin.

[Intimidator]

Well, lets break it down.

Hotbox - warmest option, dedicated footbox. Flat Sewn -cheaper option, dedicated footbox, not good if you have large feet. Snap/Drawcord - most versatile, can be opened to lay quilt flat or wear as a serape, open needs to be plugged, cheap

Taper - 10" has a mummy bag feel, good for most except possible restless sleepers, most efficient to heat. 5" taper - good compromise if you need a little more foot room, or are not sure between none or 10" taper. No taper - restless sleepers, those who like to kick, not thermally as efficient, those who have warm feet and lower body.

Draft collars are most often chosen by either the coldest of sleepers or those transitioning between sleeping bags and quilts who are just not sure.

Only you know what kind of sleeper you are, but the coldest sleepers will want an insulated footbox, as much taper as your body size will allow, and possibly a draft collar. On the other end of the spectrum warm sleepers can get away with a snap footbox, and no taper or draft collar.

How much weight will the hotbox add when compared to a standard snap/drawcord footbox? I prefer the sewn/insulated 3d footbox, but also am very weight conscious.

[georgecarr]

How much weight will the hotbox add when compared to a standard snap/drawcord footbox? I prefer the sewn/insulated 3d footbox, but also am very weight conscious.

It's going to add a couple ounces, since it adds at least an ounce of down,plus fabric, and baffles. Well worth it for the warmth it provides.

[caveat]

Is there any sort of attachment point or loop on the flat sewn or insulated footbox like for attaching to a gear loop to keep it from falling out?

[TrailSlug]

Is there any sort of attachment point or loop on the flat sewn or insulated footbox like for attaching to a gear loop to keep it from falling out?There are none really but I've never had an issue with my quilt falling out but then again I always use my attached bug nets on my Warbonnet gear. If you had the tie up foot box I guess you could rig something but all of the quilt but the foot end would still fall out if you have this issue.

[caveat]

True enough. It's really only an issue when netless.

[Rouskof]

What is the neck draft colar ? Is it a thin extra baffle that comes around the neck for a better insulation, like there is in certain sleeping bags ?

[TrailSlug]

Is it a thin extra baffle that comes around the neck for a better insulation, like there is in certain sleeping bags ?Correct.