Underquilts from down comforter?

Hi... I'm new to this forum and to hammock camping. I actually just bought a HH Backpacker from one of the members here this week. We have a trip planned up in North Georgia in October and the whole under insulation has me concerned. I've read a little about DIY underquilts out of poncho liners and old sleeping bags but I haven't really seen anything about using a down comforter (made for a bed). I did a search on my local craigslist and see a few for sale for $20 or so. Can these be used or are they too heavy?

Nice first post...good question, sorry I can't really help you with that one...Just wanted to say welcome to HF from Mass.

Too heavy is relative. They typically don't put the best lightweight down on a comforter. They are also often too big. However it is a good way to get the feel for a good UQ.

*any* insulation could be used for an underquilt as long as you feel like humping it out to your location and can suspend it property to your hammock.

By suspending properly, I mean: no gaps - even coverage

Typically down comforters are mostly feathers, in a tightly woven natural fiber fabric. Works fine for a top quilt, but could be too heavy to suspend tightly under your hammock, and too big/heavy to want to hump out to a site.

You've got a couple months till your event. Keep an eye out in the forums for a good, used underquilt. Then if you feel hammock camping and down underquilts aren't for you, just resell it back to the forums.

Honestly, the guys here take great care of expensive gear like quilts. Anything you get is likely to be in excellent condition and worth every penny, and will resell easily.

A lot of the down blankets use a combination of feathers(there are different types of down)and not necessarily all down feathers. I would check them out if they compress well and are not too heavy I say go for it.

Welcome to the Forums from Canada! Depending on the comforter (i have a small single that's pretty light) you can modify it and it'll do its job. However, they are heavier and bulkier than nearly all dedicated UQ's. A lot of people have had some success with using down sleeping bags from Craiglist etc that they turn into UQ's. Already built somewhat lighter with outdoor materials, it will help the project along.

You could try a couple of the down throws from Sports Authority or something similar. They aren't too heavy & they aren't real expensive. I have two, so I double up if it's going to be real cold.

For cheap & easy you can use a pad.

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Originally Posted by jred

You could try a couple of the down throws from Sports Authority or something similar. They aren't too heavy & they aren't real expensive. I have two, so I double up if it's going to be real cold.

For cheap & easy you can use a pad.

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I use one of these as a pillow or for added layer if it gets colder than I expected.

These are great for the money...I'm thinking about picking up a second one and sewing them together to make a larger top quilt.

so what's the disadvantage in using a cheap pad from Wally World?

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Originally Posted by jclick

so what's the disadvantage in using a cheap pad from Wally World?

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Comfort. IMHO UQs are more comfortable. Pads work, I have used many of them, and for now if it is cold, I still suppliment my DIY UQ with a pad.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jclick

so what's the disadvantage in using a cheap pad from Wally World?

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It's a PITA (Pain In The ***). They can slip and slide, and typically aren't wide enough to cover your shoulders as the hammock wraps around you.

Once you go Underquilt, you never go back.

Down throws? I just looked on Sports Authority website and didn't see anything like that?

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Originally Posted by jclick

Down throws? I just looked on Sports Authority website and didn't see anything like that?

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I got mine on sale last year. They use what feels like a cotton cloth, some decent down, and come in a matching bag. They were on closeout for $9.97, so I got three and gave two to my parents.

I hear people are still buying them, so they must still be around. I found mine in the camping section near the sleeping bags and bag liners.

A quick Google on this brought me right back to Hammock forum with this:

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...timage&i=11602

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...d.php?p=379983

If they still have them, pick a couple up...I've been meaning to go back and get another blue one to make myself a bigger quilt. Can't beat them for the price.

Even more!

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=26387

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lonely Raven

... A quick Google on this brought me right back to Hammock forum with this:

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...timage&i=11602

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...d.php?p=379983

If they still have them, pick a couple up...I've been meaning to go back and get another blue one to make myself a bigger quilt. Can't beat them for the price.
Even more!
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=26387

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That looks a lot like the down comforter I'm using to make my first DIY UQ out of. But I'm sure they're not the same and I think mine will be quite somewhat heavier.

The comforter was bought second hand and was 180cmx220cm or 5,9'x7,2'. Each square is 30cmx30cm or pretty much 1'x1'. I made it so it's now 180cmx120cm (6 squares x 4 squares) but it's so heavy. There's a combination of actual down and feathers in there, but it's stuffed pretty well. The outer shell is pink and a thickish, which also doesn't help the weight. I may cut of another row of squares if it doesn't get suspended well and I think it may turn out to be necessary. :)

It's not finished yet, but I'm basically making an over-sized pillowcase to shove the comforter inside of (still have to attach 3 of the tunnels for the suspension). There'll be little rings in the shell and in the comforter so I can keep the two together with string and cord locks. It'll also be easy to stuff in some extra insulation, like a space-blanket, when it turns out it's not warm enough on the trial run. When it's finished, I'll try to remember to post some pictures.

I can safely say though that this is NOT something I would take backpacking. It's something I'd use when I go car camping and day-tripping IMO. The example was 25.5oz finished, mine is well over that weight. :) Probably even over 50oz. :D