View Full Version : First test results for IX underquilt
I just got my new symmetrical IX underquilt from Mac last week and took it out for an overnighter up on the Mogollon Rim at Knoll Lake. I used a pair of mini biners to attach the shockcord at each end to the amsteel where it meets the whipping. I initially wrapped one end of the shockcord a few times to increase the tension because it seemed to conform to the bottom of my Traveler better, but later that evening I found that I got better warmth to just clip the full length shockcord without any turns to shorten it, presumably to increase the size of the trapped air pocket.
Here's a picture Te-wa took of me lounging in my Traveler that afternoon with the IX underquilt attached. Nothing like a little afternoon siesta!
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery/files/5/3/0/andy_ix_umbrella.jpg
When I initially went to bed the temps were in the mid to low 40's. I was amazed at how toasty warm I felt with a full length bottom insulation weighing only 8oz. The temps did plunge a bit lower than the weather forecast, and we estimate it got down to around freezing. At around 1:30AM I finally got too cold and used a backup down underquilt I brought along to get warm again. So my initial guess at the comfortable temp range for this underquilt would be down to around 40 degrees, possibly a bit lower. I'm really excited to have such a lightweight and comfortable solution for summer hanging. The quilt packs up very small too, around the size of a large grapefruit in a stuff sack.
Thanks Mac for pushing innovation and coming up with this exciting new product. This will shave another 5-6oz off my pack weight and decrease my pack volume by a lot. I can't wait to get out this summer and do some SUL hanging in comfort.
ikemouser
05-17-2010, 09:01
Cool, how much did you pay?
I paid $55, but my understanding is that Mac is charging $60 for them now.
Thanks Mac for pushing innovation and coming up with this exciting new product. This will shave another 5-6oz off my pack weight and decrease my pack volume by a lot. I can't wait to get out this summer and do some SUL hanging in comfort.
Thanks for the test results. I'm still waiting for my IX UQ to arrive so I can test it out.
Was your test was with one UQ w/2 layers of IX? I think Mac says you can double up the insulation and get to 4 layers of IX that might make it a bit warmer.
Patiently waiting.
This was with a dual layer underquilt, that also has what I believe Mac called insultubes, which seems to be yet another layer in the torso area with some baffling to create more air gaps.
Thanks for the test results. I'm still waiting for my IX UQ to arrive so I can test it out.
Was your test was with one UQ w/2 layers of IX? I think Mac says you can double up the insulation and get to 4 layers of IX that might make it a bit warmer.
Patiently waiting.
ikemouser
05-17-2010, 10:26
Man this is cool, somone needs to make one for winter so we can see how heavy a winter version is.
SGT Rock
05-17-2010, 13:46
I'm sleeping in mine outside tonight, the temps are supposed to get down to the 50's so I can see if I got my bugs worked out.
BillyBob58
05-17-2010, 17:23
This was with a dual layer underquilt, that also has what I believe Mac called insultubes, which seems to be yet another layer in the torso area with some baffling to create more air gaps.
Is that two full length IX layers plus ONE extra torso layer of InsulTubes sewn to the bottom layer, thus between the 2 full length layers?
When you got cool enough to add something else about 0130, did you notice if you were colder on your back than your butt and legs? Or was it all about the same? I have been warmer in the legs than the back, so far.
I'm sleeping in mine outside tonight, the temps are supposed to get down to the 50's so I can see if I got my bugs worked out.
Do you also have an extra torso sized layer of InsulTubes? For 3 layers total through the torso? If you work the bugs out, let us know what it is you did differently.
SGT Rock
05-17-2010, 18:25
I've got the one layer with an extra layer at the torso plus one whole 'nother layer.
Hey BillyBob. Yes, two full length layers and one extra layer of fabric in the torso region. I recall experiencing the initial cold equally in my back and butt regions, and not so much in my legs.
Is that two full length IX layers plus ONE extra torso layer of InsulTubes sewn to the bottom layer, thus between the 2 full length layers?
When you got cool enough to add something else about 0130, did you notice if you were colder on your back than your butt and legs? Or was it all about the same? I have been warmer in the legs than the back, so far.
pisanodc
05-17-2010, 19:17
I was on this trip with drewboy and was testing my new insultex UQ as well. I would rate this quilt around 40 degrees. Had to get up around midnight to put my down uq on. The only other improvement that could be made would be to be able to attach the foot end so that it doesn't slip out from under my feet as I lay diagonally in my hammock. A little more shoulder girth would be nice, but I am a bigger guy. Thanks for the innovative product. It's going to be an awesome addition to my summer kit
Angelo
I've been sleeping with my IX UQ for about a week and a half now. Very happy and comfortable. Like pisanodc, I'm a big guy, 6'2", 260# and a little more width would have been nice. I rigged the top and bottom with a connected rope to keep it from sliding out when sleeping diagonal and moving around. I've been comfortable in the high 40's. For me, about as cold as I would take it would be about 45 or so, but I sleep cold.
Great product, great price.
MacEntyre
05-18-2010, 14:29
Man this is cool, someone needs to make one for winter so we can see how heavy a winter version is.
For winter, you just add layers of IX and maybe a weathershield.
Well, I tried out my IX underquilt again last weekend. The overnight temp got down to around 40 degrees, but it was also pretty breezy out. I ended up having to switch out to my down underquilt in the middle of the night when I got too cold. I'll definitely need to get some more experience with this piece of gear before I'd feel comfortable taking it down to these temps without a backup along.
MacEntyre
05-25-2010, 05:19
Did you check to see if you could have had it hung too tight, Drewboy? That's the easiest way to get a cold spot.
Hi Mac. I had it hung on my Traveler similar to last time by attaching the shockcord ends with a mini biner to the amsteel right where it meets the whipping. I suppose I'd have to lengthen the shockcord to get it to hang any looser. One thing that seemed different from last time is I was messing with the foot end a bit more and ended up sliding the shockcord on one side over my feet to keep it positioned better. Perhaps that created more tension than before and contributed to my cold spots.
MacEntyre
05-25-2010, 06:53
You want the edges tight, and the bottom loose. You do need to biaas the suspension in order to keep it on your feet. It may be that the suspension needs to be lengthened. Try it and let me know!
Also, The IX UQ for the BB is the biggest I make... the Traveler is the same size on the bottom, I believe.