Gear Test: JRB Mt Washington Underquilt (0-10F)

[Just Jeff]

WOOHOO!! Testing the JRB Mt Washington Underquilt (MWUQ)!! I finally got the first look up on the page and can't wait to get some nights in it, including at Mt Rogers. I'll continue updating the page as I get more experience with it.

http://www.tothewoods.net/GearTestJRBMWUQ.html

[fin]

Nice :boggle: - I still have my eye on one of those, but I'll probably have to sell my car to get it.

BTW, you will feel some wind through the ends of the BMB. It the one major heat loss area for me in my BMB. If you hang your pack at the end of the hammock from the spreader bars, it helps. If you have a winter tarp (closeable ends), even better.

[Just Jeff]

I do have the JRB winter tarp so that'll help (when I use a tarp, at least). I was also hoping I could just put my pack inside the hammock at the end but there's not enough room. Maybe I could make some world-famous Slowhike Storage End Caps from sil to block the wind and provide some dead air space.

[slowhike]

I do have the JRB winter tarp so that'll help (when I use a tarp, at least). I was also hoping I could just put my pack inside the hammock at the end but there's not enough room. Maybe I could make some world-famous Slowhike Storage End Caps from sil to block the wind and provide some dead air space.

I sure like mine<G>.

[Dutch]

Am I the only one without a Mt Washington?

[fin]

Dutch, it appears it's just you and me. But you could definitely sew one yourself, if you haven't already. :D

[Mustardman]

Hey now, I am also without a Mt Washington. Or any UQ for that matter.

I did just buy a 15 degree down bag at the REI Scratch-n-dent sale for 50 bucks yesterday... I'm seriously considering my first DIY attempt being a conversion...

[slowhike]

Am I the only one without a Mt Washington?

I don't have a Mt Washington. I was saying that I like the "storage end covers" that I made<G>.

[Roadtorque]

Dutch, it appears it's just you and me. But you could definitely sew one yourself, if you haven't already. :D

Add me to the list of the poor saps that dont have one...yet. I really really want one but almost cant justify that type of money for something that will get used maybe 2-3 months of the year here in AZ. Well in the meantime I will just drool all over the pics and reviews

[Peter_pan]

Nice :boggle: - I still have my eye on one of those, but I'll probably have to sell my car to get it.

BTW, you will feel some wind through the ends of the BMB. It the one major heat loss area for me in my BMB. If you hang your pack at the end of the hammock from the spreader bars, it helps. If you have a winter tarp (closeable ends), even better.

FishinFinn, JJ, Et al,

The ends of a BMBH are 1.9 oz DWR like most hammocks, you should have no more heat loss though them than any other hammock... Especially since you are not in contact with them in the sleep position.

That said hanging the gear hammock/pack cover on the end is about a perfect match that addes two layers of silnyl and whatever you put in it as insulation to the end.

Hanging the pack from the spreader bar is not recommended as you can bend the spreader bar if there is too much weight in the pack.

Again the key to eliminating wind issues is first good site selection and second adequate tarp/tent.


Pan

[Just Jeff]

Yep - I'll probably use the the GHPC for at least the head end so I can have my pack and stuff handy. I probably won't need the sit pad with the MWUQ so I can put that down at the foot end to block anything coming thru...as long as I don't kick it out while I sleep. Haven't gotten a field night with the BMBH yet so I don't have all this worked out yet!

[Dutch]

Dutch, it appears it's just you and me. But you could definitely sew one yourself, if you haven't already. :D

I have got to stop making quilt for a while. At least until I can get a better place to store them. Quilts and sleeping bags take up an entire closet. This is in no way a complaint by the way.
I know I'm going to be jealous of the Mt Washington hangers at Mt Rogers.

[fin]

FishinFinn, JJ, Et al,

The ends of a BMBH are 1.9 oz DWR like most hammocks, you should have no more heat loss though them than any other hammock... Especially since you are not in contact with them in the sleep position.

Pan

Yes and No. In a gathered end, the fabric is all "bunched up" and usually covered by my UQ, so a single layer of 1.9 is really folds of 1.9, whereas in the bridge, a single layer of 1.9 is a single wall of 1.9, can't be covered by a quilt, and there is a lot of breathing through that straight wall of fabric if the wind hits it. Great Hammock, but the gear hammock/pack cover or slowhikes "storage end covers" are recommended (by me, anyway) for winter use on the BMB.

[fin]

I have got to stop making quilt for a while. At least until I can get a better place to store them. Quilts and sleeping bags take up an entire closet. This is in no way a complaint by the way.
I know I'm going to be jealous of the Mt Washington hangers at Mt Rogers.

Well, you know if you have too many, I'm sure I could help you out there.;)

[Just Jeff]

So Joker got in trouble we couldn't go camping this weekend, but it was supposed to be like 60F at night. Tonight? 18F!! Friggin no-snow-blizzard for Fayetteville!! Guess who's sleeping in the backyard with a brand new MWUQ... :jj:

Is it odd that this excites me? :confused:

[BillyBob58]

So Joker got in trouble we couldn't go camping this weekend, but it was supposed to be like 60F at night. Tonight? 18F!! Friggin no-snow-blizzard for Fayetteville!! Guess who's sleeping in the backyard with a brand new MWUQ... :jj:

Is it odd that this excites me? :confused:

Report ASAP! Which hammock, gathered end or BMBH?

[Just Jeff]

It's already on the BMBH so probably that one...I'll decide when I move the stand outside.

[BillyBob58]

It's already on the BMBH so probably that one...I'll decide when I move the stand outside.

I did about 18 or 19*F last night, with lots of wind, with a WBBB, and was OK. I'm pretty sure I did not have the foot end set up just right, but I was OK anyway. It is hanging on the BMBH now, it is supposed to be mid 20s tonight.

[animalcontrol]

Is it odd that this excites me? :confused:
To everyone else...yes
To us...No
I was more excited to get out this weekend than any in a long time because of the cold. Mule was talking about camping out 20+ yrs ago simply because it was forecast to be -20*F and wanted to see "what that was like"

Hangers are "abynormal" and we like it that way!

[Just Jeff]

Hangers are "abynormal" and we like it that way!

Yep. Just like your sig - "Get busy livin'..." :jj:

[slowhike]

So Joker got in trouble we couldn't go camping this weekend,

Joker in trouble???... surely you jest.

[Just Jeff]

Haha - nope, his mouth thinks he's already a teenager...

It got down to 21 by my thermometer. More details to follow.

[Just Jeff]

Details on 22 Dec test...

Gear:
- JRB Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock (BMBH)
- JRB Mt Washington Underquilt (MWUQ) underneath
- Sierra Designs Wicked Fast 30F sleeping bag + JRB Nest on top
- Worn: Mtn Hardware fleece beanie, Serius neofleece face mask, Montbell ThermWrap jacket, synthetic T-shirt, silkweight polyester long johns, synthetic hiking shorts, SmartWool socks
- JRB Gear Hammock Pack Cover hanging on head end for windblock

Weather:
- Low temp 21F recorded on Brunton
- Winds 5-7 mph (weather.com)
- Humidity ~40% (weather.com)

My yard was muddy from the recent rains so I set up on the back deck. It's still exposed to the wind on three sides but the house provides a pretty good windblock. I set everything up and went back inside, then went out to bed just before midnight with ~25F temps. Saw a shooting star as I was getting in, then the static lightshow that nylon gives when it's very dry outside. Humidity was the 40% range...pretty low for NC.

The MWUQ was attached to the BMBH exactly as shown in the instructions. I had hung the BMBH too tightly so I had some gaps when I first got in...I lowered the hammock into the MWUQ and most of the gaps disappeared. I could feel the heat coming back to my torso almost immediately when I laid down. Good stuff.

I did have some gaps on the sides of my legs, though, and I'll have to play with it to figure out how to fix it. The MWUQ was snug against the hammock along the centerline, so if I laid right down the middle even my legs were warm. The gaps started around my butt and extended to around my ankles. Since I spent most of the night sleeping on my side, kinda leaning against the left wall of the hammock, I had to adjust my legs to the warm part of the insulation.

Still, I slept pretty well to the low of 21F. I woke up a few times but it wasn't b/c of cold legs. My wake-ups were b/c I was sweating inside the sleeping bag. I even tried to dress lightly, with no thermal top on under the ThermaWrap like I usually wear. Since I was zipped into the sleeping bag with the Nest on top, I had to unzip and fold the Nest down off my torso to vent. Little bit of a hassle, which makes me very excited to see how the MWUQ will perform as a top quilt. (I currently don't have a winter-worthy down sleeping bag or quilt except for the MWUQ.)

Remaining items to test:
- Measure the loft while the hammock is occupied.
- Fix the gaps on the sides of my legs when used on the BMBH. I'll start by loosening the end drawstring next time.
- Test for performance on HH, homemade Speer-types, and Warbonnets.
- Test for performance as a top quilt. This will be the narrowest top quilt I've used but that may be ok in a hammock.
- And of course find the low temp...my torso was toasty so if I can get the leg issues worked out I predict it'll be true to 10F for me, and I sleep pretty warm. Might be good to 0F for others.

Can't wait to try it out at Mt Rogers!! If I can make both nights I'll do one as an underquilt and another as a top quilt.

[BillyBob58]

Details on 22 Dec test...

Gear:
- JRB Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock (BMBH)
- JRB Mt Washington Underquilt (MWUQ) underneath
- Sierra Designs Wicked Fast 30F sleeping bag + JRB Nest on top
- Worn: Mtn Hardware fleece beanie, Serius neofleece face mask, Montbell ThermWrap jacket, synthetic T-shirt, silkweight polyester long johns, synthetic hiking shorts, SmartWool socks
- JRB Gear Hammock Pack Cover hanging on head end for windblock

Weather:
- Low temp 21F recorded on Brunton
- Winds 5-7 mph (weather.com)
- Humidity ~40% (weather.com)

My yard was muddy from the recent rains so I set up on the back deck. It's still exposed to the wind on three sides but the house provides a pretty good windblock. I set everything up and went back inside, then went out to bed just before midnight with ~25F temps. Saw a shooting star as I was getting in, then the static lightshow that nylon gives when it's very dry outside. Humidity was the 40% range...pretty low for NC.

The MWUQ was attached to the BMBH exactly as shown in the instructions. I had hung the BMBH too tightly so I had some gaps when I first got in...I lowered the hammock into the MWUQ and most of the gaps disappeared. I could feel the heat coming back to my torso almost immediately when I laid down. Good stuff.

I did have some gaps on the sides of my legs, though, and I'll have to play with it to figure out how to fix it. The MWUQ was snug against the hammock along the centerline, so if I laid right down the middle even my legs were warm. The gaps started around my butt and extended to around my ankles. Since I spent most of the night sleeping on my side, kinda leaning against the left wall of the hammock, I had to adjust my legs to the warm part of the insulation.

Still, I slept pretty well to the low of 21F. I woke up a few times but it wasn't b/c of cold legs. My wake-ups were b/c I was sweating inside the sleeping bag. I even tried to dress lightly, with no thermal top on under the ThermaWrap like I usually wear. Since I was zipped into the sleeping bag with the Nest on top, I had to unzip and fold the Nest down off my torso to vent. Little bit of a hassle, which makes me very excited to see how the MWUQ will perform as a top quilt. (I currently don't have a winter-worthy down sleeping bag or quilt except for the MWUQ.)

Remaining items to test:
- Measure the loft while the hammock is occupied.
- Fix the gaps on the sides of my legs when used on the BMBH. I'll start by loosening the end drawstring next time.
- Test for performance on HH, homemade Speer-types, and Warbonnets.
- Test for performance as a top quilt. This will be the narrowest top quilt I've used but that may be ok in a hammock.
- And of course find the low temp...my torso was toasty so if I can get the leg issues worked out I predict it'll be true to 10F for me, and I sleep pretty warm. Might be good to 0F for others.

Can't wait to try it out at Mt Rogers!! If I can make both nights I'll do one as an underquilt and another as a top quilt.

Good report. I am working on many of the same issues, mostly having to do with the legs, and mostly with gathered end. Still, I was warm enough at 18* and lots of wind with the gathered end BB, But I just know things can be improved on the foot end for even more warmth.

In the BMBH, I think my feet/lower legs were a bit cool ( compared to toasty back) on one trial. I think ( not certain) I tightened up the foot a tad and things were much better, resulting in a toasty nap. But, I have no way of knowing what is going on contact vs. gap wise under my legs in the BMBH. And there is none as far as I can tell. If I sit up and try to look, the weight shifting kind of invalidates things. But in a gathered end, I can lean out to the side and see some gaps at the foot end, and sometimes an opening at the very end. But maybe even then shifting my weight that way is messing things up?

Maybe soon I can get an adult willing to work with me in the back yard as we try different adjustments in different hammocks.

I have not so far had any trouble keeping warm, but I feel if these things are not optimized I won't be able to reach the rated temps.

[BillyBob58]

I have been experimenting with added grip clips and shock cord over the ridgeline of the Blackbird, about 1 foot further towards the middle than the original ( and in addition to) JRB suspension. First impression is that this seems to really help with pulling the section beneath and to the left of my legs up into contact with my legs. Though I'm not sure in what way it effects, if at all, the foot end closure. I think it is going to make it easier to reach this quilts potential, at least in the legs.

[Just Jeff]

WOOHOO!! Cold fronts are awesome!! Snuck in another test of the MWUQ and updated the page.
http://www.tothewoods.net/GearTestJRBMWUQ.html



Weather:
- Low temp 11F recorded on the Brunton
- Winds 3-5 mph (weather.com)
- Humidity ~20% (weather.com)

Gear:
- Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight
- JRB Mt Washington Underquilt (MWUQ) underneath
- Wiggys 0F mummy bag as top quilt
- Worn: Mtn Hardware fleece beanie over a Blackhawk balaclava, 300wt fleece sweatshirt over a cotton T-shirt, 200wt fleece pants, thick hiking socks, 200wt fleece gloves

We finally got a good cold front that put the MWUQ to the test! I had just flown in from D.C. Friday morning (where it was 9F at takeoff) so I couldn't rightly sleep outside Friday night without making my wife mad (I only have a few priorities above hammocks, but that's one of them!), so I slipped out of bed before sunrise Saturday to set up the hammock on the back porch. Definitely a successful test...over the next few hours, the MWUQ kept me warm to a measured low of 11F. Details below...

I connected the MWUQ suspension lines as described in the directions, and I used the mid-point suspension JRB adds to their quilts now. These seemed to really help the underquilt's fit underneath my knees, but I still got some gaps along the sides of my legs. This was barely an issue in the 20s because my bag provided enough insulation, but as the temps got closer to 11F I had to put a travel pillow on that spot to stay comfortable. Of note, I didn't use the HH side tie-outs and this may eliminate these cold spots.

I had another issue that side tie-outs would have helped. The MWUQ is narrower than other underquilts I've used so it needs more attention to make sure I stay on the quilt. As I moved around in the hammock the MWUQ would slide towards the right enough that my back wasn't protected by the MWUQ when I laid on my right side. I had to reach out of my bag and slide the MWUQ to the left to stay warm. Using the side tie-outs would keep the MWUQ aligned so this isn't an issue...I'm just not used to using them so this might take some change in my hiking style. (As I think about it, I wonder if I had the mid-point tie-outs too tight and that caused the MWUQ to slip over to one side. Next time I'll try loosening them a bit to see if the MWUQ still lists to one side.)

Right around the low temp, I got some cold butt syndrome (CBS). It wasn't cold enough to get me out of the hammock for adjustments, but I think eliminating the leg gaps would have helped with the CBS. Climbing inside the sleeping bag might have been enough to make it comfortable.

One problem - after about 3 uses one of the micro-biners stopped closing all the way. I've had this problem before with similar micro-biners that I got from Walmart. I've been able to fix it but it's a little bit of a hassle in the field. This is why I like the wire-gated micro-biners better.

So based on this test, I think JRB's 0-10F rating is probably accurate. I usually sleep cold so I predicted that the MWUQ would be good to ~10F for me. If I can fix the leg gap issue and pick wind-protected sites, I think I can be comfortable to 10F and acceptable to 0F.

Remaining items to test:
- Next time I use the MWUQ with the HH, I'll use the side tie-outs and not tighten the mid-point suspension so much. I think this will fix the gaps on the sides of my legs.
- Test for performance as a top quilt. This will be the narrowest top quilt I've used but that may be ok in a hammock.
- Measure the loft while the hammock is occupied.

[koaloha05]

Jeff, similar right sliding of the MWUQ on the Blackbird. Seems only to happen when I first climb into the BB. Just need to remember to do a quick check and reposition once in the BB. No side tie outs used. Maybe just a quirk with asymmetric hammocks? Found the microbiners to be sometimes unreliable regarding durability. Have switched over the the #1 Nitez(?sp) mini biners. The ones rated for only a #5 load. Bit more $s but just as light. Hopefully more durable.

[Just Jeff]

I noticed my half-underquilt sliding right on my Warbonnet El Dorado as well...I just figured it was that big side wall or something but maybe it is something with asym hammocks. Never happened with the other JRB quilts, though...I think I can fix it like I posted above. I'll report back on it after Mt Rogers.

[warbonnetguy]

i think it's more noticeable with narrow quilts, the quilt wants to sit centered on the hammock, while your torso (in diagonal position) is shifted over to the side, for even coverage, the uq needs to ride to the left, when it wants to ride centered. with my uq's, i just have to pull it left after i stop moveing around.

[BillyBob58]

Great report, Jeff. I have not been able to test on our one 11* night! At warmer temps(20s), I have not noticed the leg gap issues that you did with the BMBH. But, I have been using my grip clip/shock cord cheater at about calf level, maybe that helps? Or maybe I have just found the correct tension. But I just felt there might be a potential problem with my heavier torso pushing down on the torso end of the quilt( snug fit) causing the quilt foot end to drop a similar amount. But with my not as heavy legs not pushing the hammock down to snug up against the quilt on the foot end. I don't know if I even need this, but your "gap" experience makes me think maybe so. Anyway, it is almost weightless and doesn't seem to hurt anything. I am also thinking of adding another pair of grip clips about lower mid-level to get a tighter seal along the edges. I don't know if this would actually make any dif, but I don't think it would hurt.

But in my WBBB, the grip clip cheater over the RL seemed to be a major help with a gap on the left side of my legs. Just a little extra suspension support where it is most needed. Maybe with practice I can figure out how to hang it where I don't need any cheater. But what the the heck, again, it weighs nothing and is easy to do.

Whatever, practice makes perfect. As it stands, my most comfortable cold weather lounging yet has been in the BMBH/MWUQ, with my Golight 20* quilt. On either side or partly on my side or flat on my back, it has been great. I have had some great experiences with my other gear, and each set up has it's pros and cons. But this has been the most comfortable, which is saying a lot. A particular pleasure is having each body part covered no matter how I move. For ex, if I am on my side ( or back) with my hand under my pillow and my arms or elbow above my head on either side, I am still on an insulated spot. Same for my feet no matter how I move them. This is a really good set up.

[Just Jeff]

Yeah - I really think it's just a practice thing. One more cold-weather setup and I should have it dialed in. (I probably could have fixed it in a minute or two if I had gotten out of the hammock!) The problem is that the quilt is so warm I can only feel the gaps when it's in the 20s F so I don't get much testing time here in NC!