View Full Version : The Speer TopBlanket or JRB?
I am looking for a top quilt. Has anyone used the Speer top blanket? Also I was looking at JRB Shenandoah. But is it warm enough it temps get down to 30?
Cannibal
02-25-2009, 17:04
Can't speak on the Speer topquilt, but I don't think the Shenandoah would be a good option for 30 degree weather. I got caught with it one night when it dipped down to the high 30s; I survived fine, but it wasn't the best night ever. Maybe if I had the right clothing system to go with it, but I didn't.
FanaticFringer
02-25-2009, 17:20
Get the No Sniveller. You will love it. For whatever reason, the Speer top quilt has never caught on around here. If I remember correctly, it is made a little smaller than some folks like.
I emailed JRB and they told me add 1 oz overstuff with a Puffy jacket and long underwear should be fine.
Greg
I own the speer TQ with a over stuff. When I ordered the regular fill version Ed was out of stock so he kindly sent the overstuffed quilt. I really like it but it is a little narrow. Another 6 inches of width and I think he would sell a lot more. I have used it to 28°F and was very warm. Pretty sure I could get into the teens with army polypro's.
Take-a-knee
02-25-2009, 18:14
Get the No Sniveller. You will love it. For whatever reason, the Speer top quilt has never caught on around here. If I remember correctly, it is made a little smaller than some folks like.
Listen to this man. You cannot go wrong with a No Sniveler.
angrysparrow
02-25-2009, 18:21
Another Speer TopBlanket owner/user here. At 42", it is a little narrower than most of the other top quilts sold, but when using with a large bottom quilt, or inside a PeaPod, it doesn't need to be wider unless you are going to use it with a pad on the ground, IMO.
At 18oz (weight of mine including stuffsac), it is a lot of warmth in a small package.
Counselor
02-25-2009, 21:06
I have two of the speer Top Quilts. So far so good.
koaloha05
02-26-2009, 15:05
I am looking for a top quilt. Has anyone used the Speer top blanket? Also I was looking at JRB Shenandoah. But is it warm enough it temps get down to 30?
I'm a cold sleeper. Have slept in comfort down to the low 20's on a calm night with no tarp using a JRB Nest (similar to NS). Key is adequate bottom side insulation and a hood. 1st low 20's night without a hood just a knit ski hat was not ideal.
Any advantage to getting the No Sniveler vs the Hudson River?
Cannibal
03-02-2009, 09:54
Yeah, you can wear it around camp. A nice feature when it gets colder than you thought it was going to get.
Take-a-knee
03-02-2009, 12:03
I'm a cold sleeper. Have slept in comfort down to the low 20's on a calm night with no tarp using a JRB Nest (similar to NS). Key is adequate bottom side insulation and a hood. 1st low 20's night without a hood just a knit ski hat was not ideal.
YES, you gotta have that JRB hood to make a quilt work to it's effective low temp.
I just ordered a Hudson River quilt. Must by underquilt NOW!
One more vote for the Speer Top Blanket III. I've been very comfortable in mine (with 2oz overstuff) down into the teens. If I do start to get a little cool, I just bring up my down jacket as a little extra insulation and all is well. This isn't to put down the Jacks at all. I've never owned one of their quilts, but have seen several of them up close and personal and they're incredibly well made. You can't go wrong with cottage gear!
YES, you gotta have that JRB hood to make a quilt work to it's effective low temp.
After I get a underquilt that's my next item to get.
Bucky Katt
03-04-2009, 17:28
Do you use the No Sniveler in place of a sleeping bag or...what? I'm lost. Will a simple pad and sleeping bag not work????
Rushthezeppelin
03-04-2009, 21:52
YES, you gotta have that JRB hood to make a quilt work to it's effective low temp.
Or you can just have really thick hair and grow it really long :D I can go down into the teens with just a cheap wool beanie with my long hair.
Rushthezeppelin
03-04-2009, 21:58
Do you use the No Sniveler in place of a sleeping bag or...what? I'm lost. Will a simple pad and sleeping bag not work????
The reason people use the TQ UQ combo is for one lying in the hammock without any thing in the way (ie a pad) is usually more comfy. And with a TQ as apposed to a bag. It's much easier to get into and it scraps the useless insulation that is usually on your back saving a bit of weight.
How about using a TQ without an UQ? Just a CCF pad with a TQ. Besides the pad-discomfort issues, would that combination work?
I'm just getting started with hammock camping. I'll be going along with my son's Boy Scout troop on their outings and need to be able to use my setup on the ground if we end up in a place without anything to hang from. Hence the pad vs. UQ.
So assuming I'll be using a pad in the hammock, would the Speer be too small? JRB work okay? Convert an old sleeping bag? DIY? What do you think?
How about using a TQ without an UQ? Just a CCF pad with a TQ. Besides the pad-discomfort issues, would that combination work?
I'm just getting started with hammock camping. I'll be going along with my son's Boy Scout troop on their outings and need to be able to use my setup on the ground if we end up in a place without anything to hang from. Hence the pad vs. UQ.
So assuming I'll be using a pad in the hammock, would the Speer be too small? JRB work okay? Convert an old sleeping bag? DIY? What do you think?
I haven't tried that but I would think that you may lose some side coverage with a pad instead of an underquilt when going with a top quilt vs. bag. The underquilt wraps up around you on the sides some where as a pad lays flat and would not. A bag solves this problem by wrapping around your sides. With a flat top quilt you may need to wrap it around you and tuck it underneath you a bit to get the sides to cover enough. Just a thought, I cannot verify this since I haven't tried it and likely won't since I have an underquilt/bag setup currently. I'd like to get a top quilt at some point instead of a bag for use with my underquilt. To me that would be the ultimate combo.
Cannibal
03-30-2009, 16:55
I haven't tried that but I would think that you may lose some side coverage with a pad instead of an underquilt when going with a top quilt vs. bag. The underquilt wraps up around you on the sides some where as a pad lays flat and would not. A bag solves this problem by wrapping around your sides. With a flat top quilt you may need to wrap it around you and tuck it underneath you a bit to get the sides to cover enough. Just a thought, I cannot verify this since I haven't tried it and likely won't since I have an underquilt/bag setup currently. I'd like to get a top quilt at some point instead of a bag for use with my underquilt. To me that would be the ultimate combo.
A Speer SPE (http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/SPE.htm) will solve the side issue. Very simple solution to a common problem.:shades:
A Speer SPE (http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/SPE.htm) will solve the side issue. Very simple solution to a common problem.:shades:I forgot about that one. I viable solution for sure but it would be one extra thing to have to haul along.
Cannibal
03-30-2009, 17:31
I forgot about that one. I viable solution for sure but it would be one extra thing to have to haul along.
And that's why I'm a UQ dude these days. :shades:
NorseAmerican
03-30-2009, 18:30
How about using a TQ without an UQ? Just a CCF pad with a TQ. Besides the pad-discomfort issues, would that combination work?
I'm just getting started with hammock camping. I'll be going along with my son's Boy Scout troop on their outings and need to be able to use my setup on the ground if we end up in a place without anything to hang from. Hence the pad vs. UQ.
So assuming I'll be using a pad in the hammock, would the Speer be too small? JRB work okay? Convert an old sleeping bag? DIY? What do you think?
I have for now a 3/8 volara and 40F bag used as a quilt, which got me to 40 down here in FL one night. I am a warm sleeper, was in skivies and was just ok(kids said I was snoring so bad the hogs were frightened!). More loft up top would have been fine. A 3 season 30F bag used as a quilt would seem to be ok down to 30's with CCF pad. Get padding from a foam dealer and cut to size. Wide is nice.
How about using a TQ without an UQ? Just a CCF pad with a TQ. Besides the pad-discomfort issues, would that combination work?
I'm just getting started with hammock camping. I'll be going along with my son's Boy Scout troop on their outings and need to be able to use my setup on the ground if we end up in a place without anything to hang from. Hence the pad vs. UQ.
So assuming I'll be using a pad in the hammock, would the Speer be too small? JRB work okay? Convert an old sleeping bag? DIY? What do you think?
I have taken a speer TQ with overstuff and 2 wally world pads in a home made SPE to 28*F. Stayed very warm!
I have thought about adding 4-5" of material on either side of the quilt extending about a 10-12" from the head end. This material could be tucked under your shoulders keeping the quilt nice and snug.
Pads can be a annoying to deal with but they work well for getting started. I think most everyone would go for an underquilt once everything else is purchased and the wallet rebounds. Pads got me through this winter but I will have a UQ for the next!
I have taken a speer TQ with overstuff and 2 wally world pads in a home made SPE to 28*F. Stayed very warm!
Good to know. Thanks!
Pads can be a annoying to deal with but they work well for getting started. I think most everyone would go for an underquilt once everything else is purchased and the wallet rebounds. Pads got me through this winter but I will have a UQ for the next!
Yeah, I'm sure I'll evolve! I first want to make sure the areas we go to will give me something to hang off. If I have to go to the ground, I want to have the pad. If I go through a season or two without having to go to the ground, then I'll probably be ready for an UQ. Time will tell....