Underquilts for summer hiking

Greetings one and all!!!!!

I am a virgin hanger planning on my summer ritual section hike the last week of August/first week of September. This year's plan is to section from Daleville to Front Royal.

My question is I have the HHULEA and am now considering the purchase of an underquilt. I have looked on the JRB site and see a couple of options there I like.

My variables are that I am a hot natured person and for the past several years have used an REI fleece bag liner as my sleeping bag for this time of year. Last year, I remember getting cool at least one night and perhaps even two. But, the rest of the time, I was ok temperature wise.

Understandably, hammocks by their nature sleep cooler than sleeping on the ground. But, knowing that I am going in a warm weather time of year plus my hot natured ways, I am second guessing my need for an underquilt and the additional weight that it brings. Of course, this is always a matter of personal preference but, I would be interested in hearing your comments regardless.

Thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope with an incurable newbie.

Fat Man Walking

I'm a really warm sleeper, too - I can generally take insulation 10*-15* below it's stated rating.

I guess my advice would be awareness of the conditions you'll be hiking in. Mountain temps, even during the summer, can get below 65*, at which point I generally need some sort of bottom insulation. I've used a fleece sleeping bag inside my hammock and it worked pretty well for mild temps - it's not very compressible. However, it's heavy and bulky. A summer weight underquilt on the bottom and a light jacket (which you'll probably already have) on top would probably be a lighter, less bulky option.

I should set the tone of my advice by saying that I'm an underquilt manufacturer. I don't sell a summer-weight quilt (at this point), though.

I would take an underquilt or closed cell foam pad as bottom insulation. I am a cold sleeper, but I feel the need for something underneath at 70 deg.

Something to consider. I can use the same quilt year around. If I hang it correct and without any air gaps on the bottom I can get well below 30. If I hang the same quilt a little off the bottom of the hammock I can use the same underquilt at 60+ deg. The same air gaps that cause cold spots and issues at cold temps, can be used to your advantage at higher temps.

I am taking my 3.5" loft quilt as an underquilt and my 2.5" loft quilt as a top quilt when I leave for my sobo through later this month (man I like saying that). But then again I am walking with fall and expect to see temps from 60 to below freezing from the start. Then I am adding my winder gear for the whites.

HE, I have some nice, warm quilts if you need extra when you get down south. Just let me know.

While we are discussing under insulation - the female dino is a very cold sleeper - bags rated to 20F (-6.6C) only take the she-dino to about 32F (0C) comfortably on the ground. What sort of under-insulation would you fellows reccomend for overnight temps in mid-50's to 60's F (12.5 - 18C). I have a ridgerest, a BA insulated Aircore and the ability to make quilts.

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Originally Posted by Frolicking Dino

HE, I have some nice, warm quilts if you need extra when you get down south. Just let me know.

While we are discussing under insulation - the female dino is a very cold sleeper - bags rated to 20F (-6.6C) only take the she-dino to about 32F (0C) comfortably on the ground. What sort of under-insulation would you fellows reccomend for overnight temps in mid-50's to 60's F (12.5 - 18C). I have a ridgerest, a BA insulated Aircore and the ability to make quilts.

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i find my BA insulated air core feeling chilly in the upper 40s & sometimes in the low 50s.
but at trail days i wanted to see how it would do in cooler temps if it was inside the pea pod.
i ended up sleeping in ed's demo hammock w/ the snug fit quilt both nights. the first night (mid 30s) the BA mat was feeling a little chili inside the under quilt... about like it does (for me) w/ no under quilt in the high 40s & low 50s.
but i woke up the first night & was off the BA mat... it was standing up beside me in the hammock. i was comfortable & warm, but decided to stand up & put the mat back under me for the extra cushioning.
i was feeling chili again where i was on the mat, but i dealt w/ it & dosed off wanting to give it a chance to warm up inside the warm under quilt. but i awoke a little while later still feeling cool on the mat (every thing else was warm), so i took it out from under me & quickly became warm on the bottom as i laid directly on the hammock w/ the under quilt snugged up next to me.
point is, the BA insulated air mat has it's limitations as temps get cooler but being enclosed inside an under quilt or pea pod will extend it's range. but at those temps i was still warmer w/o the BA air mat... laying directly against the hammock/ under quilt.
it seems that my back is doing better (scar tissue going away?) & less sensitive to firm surfaces, so i may be spending some time w/o a mat on trips where i want to really get my weight down. but a mat (even a thin, 3/4 length thermarest still feels better<g>). ...tim

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Originally Posted by Fat Man Walking

Greetings one and all!!!!!

I am a virgin hanger planning on my summer ritual section hike the last week of August/first week of September. This year's plan is to section from Daleville to Front Royal.

My question is I have the HHULEA and am now considering the purchase of an underquilt. I have looked on the JRB site and see a couple of options there I like.

My variables are that I am a hot natured person and for the past several years have used an REI fleece bag liner as my sleeping bag for this time of year. Last year, I remember getting cool at least one night and perhaps even two. But, the rest of the time, I was ok temperature wise.

Understandably, hammocks by their nature sleep cooler than sleeping on the ground. But, knowing that I am going in a warm weather time of year plus my hot natured ways, I am second guessing my need for an underquilt and the additional weight that it brings. Of course, this is always a matter of personal preference but, I would be interested in hearing your comments regardless.

Thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope with an incurable newbie.

Fat Man Walking

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Fat Man Walking, et al.

Couple facts to consider.

Most people will need some form of bottom insulation below 70-75 after the first 20-30 minutes when the body cools.... even the warm natured, ok, maybe a couple degrees lower.

A summer UQ is lighter than the inflatables and less bulk than all the possible pad combos....They are less than 2/3rds the weight of a GI (and also the after market models) issue poncho liner and more compressable also.... Plus much warmer, when needed.

For those with any tendancy to back/butt sweat issues, which are exaccerbated by CCF pads in the summer, it eliminates that problem...Learn to "open the windows" and you will be able to put cooling air under thye head, shoulders and feet while keeping the trunk, read vital organs, warm.

Wearable models let you eliminate a piece of trunk insuloation for further weight savings.

Remember I'm biased.

Pan

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Originally Posted by Frolicking Dino

HE, I have some nice, warm quilts if you need extra when you get down south. Just let me know.

While we are discussing under insulation - the female dino is a very cold sleeper - bags rated to 20F (-6.6C) only take the she-dino to about 32F (0C) comfortably on the ground. What sort of under-insulation would you fellows reccomend for overnight temps in mid-50's to 60's F (12.5 - 18C). I have a ridgerest, a BA insulated Aircore and the ability to make quilts.

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Thanks for the offer, I'll keep that in mind. I think I'll be alright. Right now in addition to the 2 quilts I am starting with, I will have at home my 20 deg down bag, JRB nest, and a potamic.

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Originally Posted by slowhike

i find my BA insulated air core feeling chilly in the upper 40s & sometimes in the low 50s.
but at trail days i wanted to see how it would do in cooler temps if it was inside the pea pod.
i ended up sleeping in ed's demo hammock w/ the snug fit quilt both nights. the first night (mid 30s) the BA mat was feeling a little chili inside the under quilt... about like it does (for me) w/ no under quilt in the high 40s & low 50s.
but i woke up the first night & was off the BA mat... it was standing up beside me in the hammock. i was comfortable & warm, but decided to stand up & put the mat back under me for the extra cushioning.
i was feeling chili again where i was on the mat, but i dealt w/ it & dosed off wanting to give it a chance to warm up inside the warm under quilt. but i awoke a little while later still feeling cool on the mat (every thing else was warm), so i took it out from under me & quickly became warm on the bottom as i laid directly on the hammock w/ the under quilt snugged up next to me.
point is, the BA insulated air mat has it's limitations as temps get cooler but being enclosed inside an under quilt or pea pod will extend it's range. but at those temps i was still warmer w/o the BA air mat... laying directly against the hammock/ under quilt.
it seems that my back is doing better (scar tissue going away?) & less sensitive to firm surfaces, so i may be spending some time w/o a mat on trips where i want to really get my weight down. but a mat (even a thin, 3/4 length thermarest still feels better<g>). ...tim

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Hi Tim,
I guess, then, for the summer, the BA Insulated Mat should be OK...but Spring and Fall...and, obviously Winter, one should proabably abandon it and go with bottom insulation. Please keep me/us posted on you further experiences. I don't have a great back, either.
Michael

I have always thought a fleece under quilt would be nice for warmer temps, something shape like a Kick *** Quilt. You could even do a half quilt or 3/4 quilt to reduce the weight and bulk of fleece. At least with fleece you don't have to worry about compressing the insulation.

I had started a thread about fleece under quilts a long time ago. It's here somewhere. The basic consensus was that fleece is to heavy and bulky versus it's warmth factor to be used as an under quilt. Pan chimed in and said that he had tried fleece before they started making down under quilts.

Would Ed's new "Snugfit" be overkill in warmer weather or could it be loosened to allow for some cooling?
MQ

Has anyone tried a synthetic underquilt with only one layer (1/2 to 3/4 inch or about 120 to 200 mm) and a DWR coating to help block wind?

Soon, grasshopper...very soon :D

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Soon, grasshopper...very soon

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Well, keep us all posted then. I'm sure there are more than a few people interested...

This is only my second season hanging, but for what it's worth I have a JRB Nest, and I just ordered a Potomac from blackbishop351. I also have a super shelter.

I love the JRB nest, but am planning on using the potomac for a UQ, and the nest as an OQ. I was trying to decide if I should get another JRB, or not. For my second quilt, for me, the Potomac made the most sense.

The nest makes a great OQ and the foot sack thing is great. It can also be worn as a parka.

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Originally Posted by qpens

Would Ed's new "Snugfit" be overkill in warmer weather or could it be loosened to allow for some cooling?
MQ

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qpens... i should know the answer to that. i spent a couple nights in one, but i can't remember for sure. but i'm pretty sure it can be opened up on the ends. and if it's still to warm, i believe you could un-do the velcro down the sides for ventilation.
i'll get back to you on that one.
about the BA insulated aircore, some people say they can use it in colder temps. but if i want to be comfortably warm, i need to do something different in the low 50s or 40s for sure. ...tim

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Originally Posted by Frolicking Dino

Has anyone tried a synthetic underquilt with only one layer (1/2 to 3/4 inch or about 120 to 200 mm) and a DWR coating to help block wind?

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Hammock Engineer (I think) made an overquilt out of the Sportsmans Guide Guide Gear UltraLight Sleeping bag. I have one of those bags and like it for warmer weather. I think it would be very easy to convert it to an UQ. I want to get another one then I'll make summer weight UQ and OQ's out of them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Frolicking Dino

Has anyone tried a synthetic underquilt with only one layer (1/2 to 3/4 inch or about 120 to 200 mm) and a DWR coating to help block wind?

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Hammock Engineer (I think) made an overquilt out of the Sportsmans Guide Guide Gear UltraLight Sleeping bag. I have one of those bags and like it for warmer weather. I think it would be very easy to convert it to an UQ. I want to get another one then I'll make summer weight UQ and OQ's out of them.

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Originally Posted by stoikurt

Hammock Engineer (I think) made an overquilt out of the Sportsmans Guide Guide Gear UltraLight Sleeping bag. I have one of those bags and like it for warmer weather. I think it would be very easy to convert it to an UQ. I want to get another one then I'll make summer weight UQ and OQ's out of them.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by stoikurt

Hammock Engineer (I think) made an overquilt out of the Sportsmans Guide Guide Gear UltraLight Sleeping bag. I have one of those bags and like it for warmer weather. I think it would be very easy to convert it to an UQ. I want to get another one then I'll make summer weight UQ and OQ's out of them.

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Alright, double post props.:D

I make it out of the cheap 50 deg sportsman's guide bag. It ended up at 15 oz. Not bad for $35 and a couple hours of work. There are directions in the DIY section here.

I think you could easily do an UQ out of one. It would probibly come to 16 or 17 oz.

A DIY one out of DWR and single layer synethic would probibly look nicer and be warmer, but cost a little more.

Hmmm... two sportsman guide bags zipped together = one toasty pod - must make a hole for the foot end hanging hardware.

I made a $10 underquilt using dollar bin nylon and quilt batting. More for practice (first quilt) than anything else, maybe summer usage. I haven't tested it yet, still figuring out suspension options. Also haven't weighed it yet either. I used 2 layers of batting, it's about 3/4".