View Full Version : UQ Necessary?
VagrantSalt
05-08-2010, 06:08
Hey all,
I've been debating whether or not to invest in an underquilt. I'm living in Guam so I'm dealing with tropical temps year-round. My question is whether an underquilt is something that will be overkill out here? I'm going on a backpacking trip in about seven days and will be able to test it without one, but being that shipping is a little bit of a wait here, if I need one I would rather order it now so I can get it a bit quicker! I've read that many people use one year-round and adjust it as needed for temps, but was just hoping for some input. Thanks!
-VagrantSalt
MacEntyre
05-08-2010, 06:10
What's the lowest overnight temps you see?
VagrantSalt
05-08-2010, 06:12
What's the lowest overnight temps you see?
Lowest I've seen is around 75.
Hawk-eye
05-08-2010, 06:23
I could go without an UQ at those tempts but some couldn't ... guess it just depends ... only one way to find out really. Find a couple trees ... ;)
If your hammock has a pad pocket a ccf pad will work, I used those for a while until JRB came out with the original Nest. Here in the Deep South, I usually use a UQ that is an old
synthetic Speer Top Blanket that I modified to fit gathered end hammocks. Since it's so muggy over there, you might check out the KAQ's that Paul sells.
If you have access to the Neat Sheet type of blanket, you might look at that as well. My Nephew is stationed in Guam right now and they love it with the exception of the bugs, which he says are really BIG. I'd have to have attached netting just for that reason alone! ;)
Sweeper
At 75dF you do not need an UQ.
A CCF pad is not necessary either but it might be nice to sit on while hiking.
If you do need something during a 65dF cold snap just use a garlington taco bottom
made of a driducks poncho, 2 garbage bags and a couple of space blankets.
I just spent a night in 14dF weather with CCF pads and a garlington under with a ultra 20 and was plenty warm.
Tammons offers some good advice. I will add that one summer 6 years ago I did an overnighter here in N Ga during late July when the temps during the day were around 100 and it was barely getting down to 80 at night. I didn't take a bit of any kind of under insulation with me, only a silk bag liner and an emergency blanket. Naturally, we had a monster of a severe storm that afternoon, and the temps at about 3500' dropped into the upper 50's that night. Coldest night I have ever spent. If I had had a ground cloth and a pad, I would have gone to ground and used my HH as a bivy. After that experience, I always carry some sort of poncho/garbage bags as Tammons mentions above.
Sweeper
Cranky Bear
05-08-2010, 07:42
Everyone is different! I'd say go out and hang overnight a couple time's with different low temp's and see what "YOU" need! Yes some people in the temp ranges you mention don't use anything under them, but a lot do, it's a very personal thing as is the same with all backpacking gear! So like I said the best advise "I" can give you is get out for a few overnighter's that the low's are different each time and see how you feel!
VagrantSalt
05-08-2010, 07:43
I could go without an UQ at those tempts but some couldn't ... guess it just depends ... only one way to find out really. Find a couple trees ... ;)
True, everyone is a little different. That is my plan though...getting out there in about a week :)
At 75dF you do not need an UQ.
A CCF pad is not necessary either but it might be nice to sit on while hiking.
If you do need something during a 65dF cold snap just use a garlington taco bottom
made of a driducks poncho, 2 garbage bags and a couple of space blankets.
I just spent a night in 14dF weather with CCF pads and a garlington under with a ultra 20 and was plenty warm.
The CCF pad would definetly be nice as a sit pad if nothing else. I like the garlington taco idea...seems like it would be lightweight too! We have a lot of rainshowers on the island so I definetly want to carry something for a chance temp drop.
Tammons offers some good advice. I will add that one summer 6 years ago I did an overnighter here in N Ga during late July when the temps during the day were around 100 and it was barely getting down to 80 at night. I didn't take a bit of any kind of under insulation with me, only a silk bag liner and an emergency blanket. Naturally, we had a monster of a severe storm that afternoon, and the temps at about 3500' dropped into the upper 50's that night. Coldest night I have ever spent. If I had had a ground cloth and a pad, I would have gone to ground and used my HH as a bivy. After that experience, I always carry some sort of poncho/garbage bags as Tammons mentions above.
Sweeper
The bug netting was definetly a must. I ended up buying the HH Explorer so no worries there ;) I'm originally from Arkansas...southern summers aren't too much cooler than the temps here, humidity here is a little worse of course. Thanks for all of the tips though...i will check out the KAQ's. Cool deal that your nephew is stationed here, and he is right, Guam is nice..minus the bugs. I'm stationed down at the Naval Base myself!
VagrantSalt
05-08-2010, 07:50
Everyone is different! I'd say go out and hang overnight a couple time's with different low temp's and see what "YOU" need! Yes some people in the temp ranges you mention don't use anything under them, but a lot do, it's a very personal thing as is the same with all backpacking gear! So like I said the best advise "I" can give you is get out for a few overnighter's that the low's are different each time and see how you feel!
Very true, doing an overnighter next week!
avalonmorn
05-08-2010, 08:26
Could you use your poncho liner and some grip clips just to try it out? I did that 2 days ago in my front yard. The day temp was 95 here in Oklahoma, and the night about 70. Worked for me. I have a Hennessy.
Cranky Bear speaks words of wisdom.
MacEntyre
05-08-2010, 08:40
+1 for everyone is different. I would not need anything underneath at 75*F. Neither would Thing1... she sleeps indoors at 75*F without insulation under her hammock every night!
Essentially, you need something to combat CBS (Cold Butt Syndrome), just in case you experience it. Perhaps you turn in wet from rain, or you catch a cold, or you have not eaten as well as you should. Maybe it's a windy night. Whatever the reason, you might need a wee bit of insulation.
You could use something like one of the sit pads I made recently. It's not as heavy or thick as CCF, just a 2'X3' nylon covering with a thin layer of any kind of insulation inside. Normally, it will be your sit pad. When you feel a little cool on the bottom of your hammock, just put the sit pad under your torso, inside the hammock. It needs to be something flimsy enough to conform to your backside, preferably not as stiff as CCF. You can adjust the size to suit the material you choose.
You could use one of 2QZQ's $25 UQ Protector. You don't have to have a UQ to use the Protector. It's a full length silnylon weather shield, so it will block the wind and wind blown rain. It's a vapor barrier, which might not be a good thing in your climate.
Looking forward to hearing about your experiments!
- MacEntyre
wisenber
05-08-2010, 09:14
If YOU are acclimated to Guam, 75 ° F might feel chilly, and you may even wear a light jacket. You might be able to stroll about in 95° heat and not have it bother you while I would be bordering on heat stroke.
Sometimes, it's not just the person, but also their climate acclimation. Look at Pgibson's visiting Alabama in shorts and sandals when the locals are wearing coats.
That being said, I would not need one at those temps. However if YOU do need some insualtion, you might just try a weathershield instead. It'll block wind and rain while adding bout 5-10 degrees of warmth underneath.
Albert Skye
05-08-2010, 13:00
On the Hawaiian Islands (a little colder), I used a piece of fleece, folded a few times under my torso (groin to shoulders), inside the hammock. I also found a wind break to be essential (a poncho, piece of plastic, &c.).
With that combination, I was quite comfortable. I had to prepare it all slowly though, to avoid overheating from muscle exertion.
Boris Losdindawoods
05-08-2010, 13:24
I'm not sure why he's being shy about mentioning it, but Mac has exactly what you need.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16829
The video is here:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16954
Cranky Bear
05-08-2010, 13:35
Cranky Bear speaks words of wisdom.
Thank you sir! But I cannot take credit as everything I have said on here is something that I have learned from all of you!!!
VagrantSalt
05-08-2010, 17:33
Could you use your poncho liner and some grip clips just to try it out? I did that 2 days ago in my front yard. The day temp was 95 here in Oklahoma, and the night about 70. Worked for me. I have a Hennessy.
I hadn't thought of that. I'll definetly test it and see if it could work for me. It seems it would be enough of a wind break to keep me a little warmer.
+1 for everyone is different. I would not need anything underneath at 75*F. Neither would Thing1... she sleeps indoors at 75*F without insulation under her hammock every night!
Essentially, you need something to combat CBS (Cold Butt Syndrome), just in case you experience it. Perhaps you turn in wet from rain, or you catch a cold, or you have not eaten as well as you should. Maybe it's a windy night. Whatever the reason, you might need a wee bit of insulation.
You could use something like one of the sit pads I made recently. It's not as heavy or thick as CCF, just a 2'X3' nylon covering with a thin layer of any kind of insulation inside. Normally, it will be your sit pad. When you feel a little cool on the bottom of your hammock, just put the sit pad under your torso, inside the hammock. It needs to be something flimsy enough to conform to your backside, preferably not as stiff as CCF. You can adjust the size to suit the material you choose.
You could use one of 2QZQ's $25 UQ Protector. You don't have to have a UQ to use the Protector. It's a full length silnylon weather shield, so it will block the wind and wind blown rain. It's a vapor barrier, which might not be a good thing in your climate.
Looking forward to hearing about your experiments!
- MacEntyre
Thanks for the advice...I'll do some testing and see what works best. I looked at the 5-1 Jerry Chair mentioned by Losdindawoods and that seems like something that may work well too. After testing this weekend I may PM you about one if you have any for sale...
If YOU are acclimated to Guam, 75 ° F might feel chilly, and you may even wear a light jacket. You might be able to stroll about in 95° heat and not have it bother you while I would be bordering on heat stroke.
Sometimes, it's not just the person, but also their climate acclimation. Look at Pgibson's visiting Alabama in shorts and sandals when the locals are wearing coats.
That being said, I would not need one at those temps. However if YOU do need some insualtion, you might just try a weathershield instead. It'll block wind and rain while adding bout 5-10 degrees of warmth underneath.
Funny you should mention that...when I first arrived here I chuckled when I saw people wearing jackets if the temp dropped to 70 on a random cool day. After being here a while though, that 70 degrees does feel a bit chilly...haha.
On the Hawaiian Islands (a little colder), I used a piece of fleece, folded a few times under my torso (groin to shoulders), inside the hammock. I also found a wind break to be essential (a poncho, piece of plastic, &c.).
With that combination, I was quite comfortable. I had to prepare it all slowly though, to avoid overheating from muscle exertion.
Thanks for the tip! Hawaii must have been a nice place to hang!
I'm not sure why he's being shy about mentioning it, but Mac has exactly what you need.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16829
The video is here:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16954
Thanks for the link...definetly something I will look in to!
MacEntyre
05-08-2010, 18:00
...looked at the 5-1 Jerry Chair
...may PM you about one if you have any for sale...
I make them every day!
The Jerry Chair is an excellent choice for you. I make Insultex Underquilts as well, but they have no other use. You will do better with something that serves more than one purpose, especially if it is not always used as an underquilt.
- MacEntyre
VagrantSalt
05-09-2010, 21:51
I make them every day!
The Jerry Chair is an excellent choice for you. I make Insultex Underquilts as well, but they have no other use. You will do better with something that serves more than one purpose, especially if it is not always used as an underquilt.
- MacEntyre
Great! I will do some testing and get back to you. I definetly like its multiple uses, especially as a lightweight chair!