TQ/UQ Suggestions

[tnvarmint]

Hopefully I can get a little help from you guys. I am trying to decide what TQ/UQ combination to go with from Wilderness Logic. I have done a lot of research and am totally sold on them.

I live in the Elizabethton, TN area which is between Erwin, TN and Damascus, VA on the AT. We have a pretty average climate with winter lows being around the mid 20s and summer highs being around the 90s. These are averages so it can peek higher or lower on occasion.

I currently tent camp around here and have no problems staying comfy in a 40 degree synthetic bag with proper clothing layers and a fleece bag liner when needed.

So with all of that said, which combos of TQ/UQ should I look at? I have read where several people have said they took their WL Summer Series Quilts to around the freezing mark and were comfortable. looking at their size and weight, I am really wondering if they would work around here with a good baselayer, fleece and down jacket added. Or would I need to go with a more traditional 20 degree set up?

My biggest concern is being able to use the colder setup in the summer also. I know that the simple option is to get both but that is more than I want or have to spend. I have been saving for quite some time to get what I have and want the best bang for my buck.

So what setup would you recommend?

[Fish<><]

get yourself a 20 degree uq for the absolute low point, and stick with a similar temp range for your tq with what you currently have...Or get a 0* uq and tq, use the syn bag during warmer months, use the 0 tq during cold hang in the mts.

These are my thoughts. I have similar intro gear to yours, but no need to upgrade in the near future. good luck on your decision. It is a toughy...

[Bunk]

Unless its peak summer and extremely hot out, I use my JRB Katahdin (4" loft) year round...keep in mind I live in Canada.

[tnvarmint]

Lol the two people giving advice are from Canada and Guam!

Seriously though thanks for the input guys.

I just do not want to find myself wishing I had a lighter weight setup come summer time. I had thought about utilizing my synthetic bag or the fleece liner (which is what I use in the heat of the summer) but part of this switch over for me was cutting down weight. With the changes to my gear I am planning to make it should put me around 8-10 lbs base weight.

Anyways thanks for the input guys!

[Fish<><]

Fish is from Bama though and has family in knoxville. Military kinda carries you far sometimes...

As far as the uq goes, get what will keep you alive and garaunteed comfy till you can afford a down summer uq. I personally use poncho liners, but then again i am in guam as you said.

If you don't remember anything else remember this...You will want more eventually anyways.... :lol:

[tnvarmint]

If you don't remember anything else remember this...You will want more eventually anyways....

Oh trust me I know what you mean on this one. Since getting into backpacking last year after being a day hiker and car camper all my life, I have accumulated more "junk" so far than I ever thought I would. There are just so many alchy stoves out there dang it!

Oh and I hope ya didn't take offense to my comment about the two of yalls advice. It was totally as a joke and I do appreciate it. I kinda figured you were in the military being from Guam. I was in the Navy and know how it can move you around.

Thanks for your service and stay safe!

[bayoubomber]

I have a 20* down TQ and UQ from HG, but I live in south Louisiana so I've been doing a bit of research myself. I'm thinking hard about Tim's Prodigy quilt at Enlightened Equiptment. He's got 40 and 50* synthetic bags which are light, relatively inexpensive and can keep you warm even when wet! And believe me I know wet, we live in the sub tropics down here.

[tnvarmint]

So how does the 20 degree setup work for you down in LA during the summer? Obviously it must be a little warm as you are looking at going too a cooler bag. I would look at the WL Summer Series Quilts. They are very cheap and some of the lightest I have seen so far. They are what I was looking at at first.

[Loki]

When it is truly "summer" time; I seldom use a top quilt. Just a small-ish fleece blanket seems to be plenty when combined with a thermal or ccf pad between hammock layers. So, only really need a Winter TQ- mostly.

I've used a Thermarest Neo-Air pad down into the 30s at night with a JRB High Sierra Snivler as a TQ - Toasty! Nevertheless; a UQ is definitely a superior way to prevent CBS.

I finally did purchase the WL "summer" underquilt and am looking forward to trying it outdoors this summer - it works GREAT for indoors - even with the window open a bit!

OK, I bought the full length WL winter UQ too...
That JRB as a TQ and the WL full-length as an UQ are super down to mid-20s for me (haven't camped any colder yet) - and guessing I could go down to 15-20 if needbe with those two. Can't go wrong with any WL products - they're Great!

[bayoubomber]

So how does the 20 degree setup work for you down in LA during the summer? Obviously it must be a little warm as you are looking at going too a cooler bag. I would look at the WL Summer Series Quilts. They are very cheap and some of the lightest I have seen so far. They are what I was looking at at first.

Didn't see they had summer quilts, thanks,oh and I'm doing a section hike in march on the AT.

[Loki]

"a section hike in march on the AT"
I'm pretty sure those that have done this will suggest full winter TQ and UQ?

[ragnall]

I have a 20* uq and a 25-30* tq. on our last hike at Big South Fork it got down into the mid-20's at night. I woke up cold a couple of times each night. It wasn't bad, but I was a little cold. By wearing my down jacket and using some chemical hand warmers I was fine, but still I feel at the bottom end of my comfort zone with that set up. That said, when it gets hot I find myself wishing for a lighter/cooler set up. I do think the 15-20* range is a good place to start, but you will run into conditions around here that it is not ideal for.

Ragnall

[pgustaf249]

I have a 20* uq and a 25-30* tq. on our last hike at Big South Fork it got down into the mid-20's at night. I woke up cold a couple of times each night. It wasn't bad, but I was a little cold. By wearing my down jacket and using some chemical hand warmers I was fine, but still I feel at the bottom end of my comfort zone with that set up. That said, when it gets hot I find myself wishing for a lighter/cooler set up. I do think the 15-20* range is a good place to start, but you will run into conditions around here that it is not ideal for.

Ragnall

I've heard about but never used chemical hand warmers. Fill me in.

[Brother Jeffrey]

I am a firm believer in the 20* setup. I have found that on those hot summer nights I don't use a UQ at all and my 20 degree tq is easy to just throw off of myself if I get a little warm. When it gets down below the 60s overnight the 20* uq is not bad and can be hung loosely to allow some air between yourself and the quilt. Also, you can always vent the tq as well. Just a lot more versatility with the 20* and no concerns during the winter.