Originally Posted by
sclittlefield
Hey KLH,
The differentially sized layers are extremely important in using this insulation material. The top layer (against the hammock) must be the smallest layer, with each layer after being sized a bit bigger (I recommend 2") to make compression impossible. This ensures that when your suspension is pulling it tight up against you, no matter how tightly, only the top layer is against your back.
You can sew the pleats w/o cutting anything out so you can save it to rework again if desired. And if they're all the same size sheet, you could just fold an inch or two lengthwise and sew together to shorten it, then do the same widthwise - again, to keep the material uncut for other use if you want.
Putting climashield between layers as AaronAlso mentioned works extremely well.
I was camping this weekend and loaned my 3-layer IX UQ to a friend. We were in the mountains, low 30's the first night, not sure if it hit freezing, but if not it was hovering right close. He said his back was cool but slept just fine - I wouldn't call that good to the 30's. Survivable yes, but not rated for it. I've been good to the high 20's with this quilt, but I also had a windshield reflector pad between it and hammock and a good base-layer for clothes.