HG Incubator or Phoenix

**SmAk9** · 12-08-2014, 18:35

I am going to buy an under quilt. I am thinking the Incubator or Phoenix by Hammock gear. Is the less weight, pack space, and cost worth it? I will be using this all year round. It only gets into the teens for like a month. So should I get a 0 degree and be able to camp no matter what or a 20 degree and be able to camp almost any time I want? I could also do a 20 degree and get a little overfill.

**ckmaui** · 12-08-2014, 18:56

we went with the 0 ? but I dont hike more 4x4 camping off road into unimproved areas

if I was hiking ? pack size weight would come into play but also if you have to have more to bundle up in at night the pack weight size would be balanced out by that I would figure

but also I want to sleep warm with less on hate hate hate hate wearing much at night time

also the idea of the 0 was from reading others it seems your bottom half can be super warm and not over heat just vary the top more and you can always vent off the top

read the over fill thread

even from what HG said when I asked its not about warmth as much as some think so get the degree you want the overfill just helps maintain that sure it gives a small amount but again more for maintaining that fill etc...

myself I went with some cause we do some longer trips 2-3 weeks and prefer having that extra bit of fill

**DanglingModifier** · 12-08-2014, 19:15

Originally Posted by SmAk9

Is the less weight, pack space, and cost worth it?

Nobody can answer this for you. It boils down to if you value the weight/bulk savings of a partial quilt more than the extra warmth and reduction in fiddle-factor of the full size quilt. Your height, your pack style (i.e. absence of integrated pack frame), and your preference for carrying a partial pad also plays a role in the equation. If you search the forum you'll see numerous threads that boil down to the same question you're asking: "please convince me why I should go one way or the other". Check out some of those threads and you'll see arguments for both sides.

I've been trying to answer the same question for myself for six months now, and I ultimately decided that being cold sucks. I'd rather be more comfortable at the expense of some extra weight and bulk for this go-around. If I start to resent carrying that extra down around I'll spring for the shortie.

**SmAk9** · 12-08-2014, 19:23

Thanks for the quick reply. I will check out the other post.

**DanglingModifier** · 12-08-2014, 20:56

The search tools on the forum sometimes leave a bit to be desired. A targeted Google search often works out better.

For instance this search pulls up some likely suspects.

If you prefer a funnier instructional link to it, try this.

**SilvrSurfr** · 12-08-2014, 22:13

I used an HG 20* Burrow and Phoenix for a couple of years, and it worked great for temps from 70 degrees down to 13 degrees. Mind you, the Northeast has a lot lower temperatures than Alabama, but it's a very versatile quilt set.

I've since bought a 40* Burrow and Phoenix, and I also have a 0* Burrow and Incubator, but they only come out when it's below 20 degrees.

**hawghangar** · 12-08-2014, 22:19

IMHO, I'd get the full length if it were my only quilt... then add the Phoenix as an additional tool in your arsenal. This was my strategy anyway.

**OneClick** · 12-08-2014, 22:32

I will be able to answer this better in a week or so when I get my 20° Phoenix +1oz. In the meantime:

40° Incubator + 2oz: recently sold this. Packed small and didn't see any need to get a Phoenix. Took it down to 35° often, occasionally lower without any problems. Sold it because my 20° Incubator was hardly any bulkier in the pack and just a little heavier...

20° Incubator +1oz: my goto UQ. Took it down to 7° last winter on one trip, then 3° on another. I couldn't believe it! I had a small pad in my pack just in case but didn't need it. Weight/bulk isn't too bad along with my 20° TQ.

0° Incubator +1oz: I got this since I plan on doing more winter trips, and don't want to worry about getting cold, especially if below zero. Only 2.9oz heavier than my 20° Incubator!! This is due to the new Argon fabric. It almost seems like the same quilt. Of course a bit more down and larger baffles. It got me wondering if I even need to keep my 20°. Well, I don't want to use a 0° quilt on a 50° night simply because it's overkill. Sure it will be fine, but it kills me to carry around that much extra. So, I decided to get a 20° Phoenix for warmer nights (30°-50°) and sell the 20° Incubator if all goes well.

20° Phoenix +1oz: I'm really excited to try this out. I skipped the 40° since I like to have a little extra room to work. If I like it, and using a pad under my feet, I will probably use it a lot. The weight savings over my 20° Incubator (older 1.1 fabric) is 8.7oz. That's pretty good, but I'm also looking to cut a little bulk as well.

I have a feeling I'll end up with the 20° Phoenix and 0° Incubator.

So my advice: first choice would be get a 20° +1oz Incubator. Safe bet. It's almost a do-it-all quilt. If you don't get out a lot in the teens, just take something to supplement the quilt in case you get cold. But I bet you won't. If you start getting out more and more in the winter, maybe upgrade to the 0°. As for the Phoenix, I can't say for sure since I haven't tried it yet. But you can always get it later like I am, to try it out. If you don't like it, you can sell it for close to the purchase price.

A lot to digest, I know!

**cataraftgirl** · 12-08-2014, 22:47

20 degree Incubator gets my vote. I've tried a variety of partial and full length quilts, but I always come back to the 20 Incubator. Just an all around good quilt for most temps. and less fiddle factor than the partial UQ.