If I make an underquilt 5 feet long and lay diagonal, won't 99% of me be on it(I'm 5'8".)?
- or is this what ya'll are referring to when you say "torso quilt"? Seems like if it only covered the torso, even though that's the core, it would leave my legs pretty cold.
However, if 5' of quilt would cover me, I could save a lot of weight/pack size over a full length one.
Yes?
Jbo
It would probably work.Originally Posted by jbo_c
Torso quilts are much shorter than 5'; just enough to cover from the shoulders down to about mid to upper thigh on me (I'm 6'). If your legs get cold, a small sit pad or your pack will do the job of keeping them warm quite nicely. I usually don't use anything under my feet/legs until it gets close to 40F. That's coming from a person with very poor circulation in his feet thanks to some frostbite. It continues to amaze me how warm your core can keep your appendages.
Trust nobody!
It is the comfort vs. pack weight dilemma again. You could get by with the short quilt, but the first night your shoulders were freezing you would have wished for a longer quilt. In my opinion, your not going to add that much weight for a quilt that is a foot longer, a couple of oz. or so, but the added warmth and comfort are priceless at night. You'll appreciate the bigger quilt when you wake up after a long nights sleep.
You could make it work during the warmer months, and stitch in some velcro to adapt a longer section for colder times. A short section that gives you full body coverage when used in tandem with your 90% quilt. Call it the 90-10 quilt.
Ambulo tua ambulo.
Hmm. I wondered if your feet wouldn't get cold without the pad. I suppose I'll have to carry one on my first few outings in warmer temps to make sure. I'm a pretty warm sleeper, but my feet do tend to get cold.
Trying to decide how quickly and inexpensively I can get my son and I ready for a 60 degree hang in October at the Little Grand Canyon. Gonna try some short DIY underquilts.
Thanks.
Jbo
jbo_c, allow me to clear up some misconceptions, not only that have already been exposed, but others that are bound to pop up!
short quilts = freezing shoulders. nonsense. period.
i would like to present the case based on observable evidence that a short quilt that covers over the top of your head is not a mythological beast, but indeed a real object.
a failed argument also includes the dilusion that light pack = discomfort.
there are short uq's on the market that will cover over your neck area, to over your head area, depending on how you hang them (based on supplied suspension kits, which vary) and dependant on the overall length/body size ratio.
like said above, when a short UQ is used for cool/cold weather a leg insulator of some kind is also necessary.
My first night with a torso quilt, it got down to 8*F with wind chills of -25*F.
Why is it a given that a person would get cold shoulders?
"Every day is a new day to a better future"
"Of all the things that matter, that really and truly matter, working more efficiently and getting more done is not among them." ~ Mike Dooley
"What if I told you that you couldn't have anymore of anything... No more friends, no more money, no more anything, until you first got happy with what you have?"~ Mike Dooley
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." ~ Socrates
I'm not dissin' your ideas of torso-length quilts, guys. Just saying that full coverage is best, and thats what I thought the question was... HYOH. Te-wa's quilts look awesome and everyone says they are great, and I want one.
But a full length Te-wa quilt would be so much warmer than a torso length in cold conditions. When you throw in the additional weight of a pad and miscellaneous items you need to carry for added torso warmth, the weight of a full length quilt is a six of one, half a dozen kinda thing.
Have I used torso length?, yes. Are they as warm as full length?, no.
Is weight an issue? always
I was just saying that the weight difference isn't that great when you need to carry a extra pad or stuff your backpack under your legs, which I personally don't find that comfortable. If its muti-purpose gear and you find it comfortable, then go for it.
If push came to shove and it was really cold out, and I needed to stay warm, I would want a full length quilt. I get a great sense of comfort and enjoyment knowing I'm snug and warm at night.
No offense implied or meant, Hang Your Own Hammock, and enjoy the ride.
Ambulo tua ambulo.
gargoyle, I get where you're coming from. Even if I do disagree.
Your argument is flawed for the same reason every argument for every one of these threads is flawed; it's too personal. My flawed argument would be that there is no reason to carry a full-length uq because the short ones will keep you just as warm. As soon as I say that out-loud, I get hit on the back of the head by Genuine Draft, who agrees with you.
I, personally, don't see the value of a full length underquilt. Honestly, it's surprising to me too. I'm accustomed to multi-tasking my gear, so there is no inconvenience for me to use my pack under my legs. Also eliminating the most common argument (and a silly one) against torso quilts that you have to carry a pad anyway to keep warm, which eliminates the weight savings. Maybe, if you're camping at temps below 40F and have an external frame pack, or just aren't comfortable with a pack under your legs. But any warmer and nothing is really needed, again, at least by me.
I tip my hat to you for trying them prior to making your decision about their effectiveness. It is just difficult for those of us that use them to understand where some of this stuff comes from about the 'cons' of a torso length. Same logic as hammocks vs. tents I guess. We like it so much we just don't understand why everybody doesn't want to do it.
Trust nobody!
Hey, genuine draft, smack him again.
thanks, cannibal, I do enjoy multi-purpose gear and the refinement that some times sparks new and improved gizmo's. gearahloic anonymous awaits.And, no I don't have a ext. framepack.
Hows the backyard coming along??
Ambulo tua ambulo.
I choose not to think about it at work. Makes me tired.
Most of the front pasture is cleared, still got the back section to do this weekend. Then I've got to firm-up the pole barn before it collapses and a little work to one wall of the stable. Then, I've got to start working on the hammock Garden of Eden. Then, the AirSoft battlefield out back, Then whatever the head smacker tells me to do next. I miss hiking.
Trust nobody!
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks