My Zeppelin order is in... now, the wait!

I started off my hammocking with a KAQ New River long UQ which is rated for 30*. I'm a warm sleeper and I've slept comfortably down into the low 20's with it. It's a great product, but I wanted something that would pack a little smaller.

With all the praises for ALL the cottage vendors here, it was tough to pick a source for my new UQ. I finally settled on UGQ. The next choice was 20* or 40* rating? Since I'm a warm sleeper and I rarely camp out when the temps will dip below 20*, I thought the 20* model might be overkill. Adding the fact that I wanted something that would pack small, I decided on the 40*. BUT... it turns out the 40* Zeppelin isn't as wide as the 20* and 0* models (45" vs. 49"). I'm 6'2" and 230 and need the width.

And here lies the beauty of cottage industry and responsive craftsmen: a couple of quick e-mails to Paul and I was able to order a widened version of the long 40* Zeppelin (one extra chamber to add width) with an ounce overstuff of down to give me some extra headroom on the temperature rating while still ending up with something that will pack small. This UQ should cover the vast majority of my hammock camping while making some extra room in my pack and lightening my load.

I will be ordering a new TQ too, as soon as my piggy bank gets full again. :rolleyes:

I feel like a kid counting down the days until Christmas.

Take it easy,
desmobob

Great purchase. You'll love it.

It's here, and it's beautiful. :-)

It's forecasted to be in the mid- to low-twenties tonight, so I'll try 'er out. My Zeppelin is a 40* model, but I'm hoping the fact that I'm a warm sleeper, coupled with UGQ's reportedly modest temperature ratings and my one ounce of overstuff, will keep my warm and comfy. I don't expect to use it at this kind of temperature anyhow, so I'm not worried if it doesn't.

It's a very nice product and dealing with UGQ was a pleasure.

I'll be reporting back,
desmobob

Its like Christmas when a package arrives eh? Sounds like you'll be warm enough tonight. I look forward to hearing how your night went.

It's perfect! I tried it out last night in the back yard. It was 28* when I climbed in, 26.6* at 11:30 pm and 20.0* at 3:35 am when I got up to answer nature's call. I was wearing thin polypro long underwear, a mid-weight fleece top, army surplus wool glove liners and a very nice UGQ fleece hat. I was using a Marmot Flathead 20* down bag as a top quilt.

I felt warm at 26*. When I woke up to 20*, I noticed I felt just the faintest feeling of coolness along my bottom side, but I was not at all cold or uncomfortable. And this was with the quilt set at my first attempt; I didn't have to make any adjustments during the night.

This quilt does just what I hoped it would do and I am extremely happy with it! When my tax return money shows up, I'll order a real top quilt to save some more pack weight and bulk.

Take it easy,
desmobob

Off topic, but where in upstate NY are you? An I'm guessing you have a Ducati?

Cheers on the new TQ! :)

I'm just north of you in Whitehall. I'm in Cambridge once in a while when I fly fish the Battenkill.

And yes, I'm a Ducati rider. I've had my '95 Ducati 900SS SP for 17 years now. :-)

Take it easy,
desmobob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by desmobob

I'm just north of you in Whitehall. I'm in Cambridge once in a while when I fly fish the Battenkill.

And yes, I'm a Ducati rider. I've had my '95 Ducati 900SS SP for 17 years now. :-)

Take it easy,
desmobob

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Cool, I grew up on the Battenkill and continue to spend a lot of time on it.

Nice bike, I know a couple guys around here that have older Duc's. We have a couple GSXR's in our garage. I have been thinking about a Ducati for my next bike, but not sure if I want to stick with a full race bike or move to a naked style bike like a Monster. I'd REALLY like a 1198 Pannigale :D

See ya around sometime...