3/4 or full length underquilts?

**OneClick** · 03-31-2015, 09:04

Originally Posted by kayak karl

3/4 above 40, full below.

I like this as well. But I only hike when lows are 40° and below about 90% of the time, and always below 50°. So a full length makes sense for me.

I really tried to make a 3/4 HG Phoenix work, but when comparing side by side with a full length, it just didn't offer enough weight/bulk reduction to mess with.

**dakotaross** · 03-31-2015, 14:25

I'm 5'10" tall and using a short size Incubator which fits from just above my shoulders to my heels (so "other" in your poll).

**NM_Leo** · 03-31-2015, 14:41

with both I have to fidget and adjust, but the comfort of downy goodness a full length brings...is just...oooh so nice. To backpack in the summer, the 3/4 is the bomb. You don't have to really worry about the feet getting cold, and you don't have to fidget with a pad during the night. For me the foot pad was a struggle to stay comfortable.

**Tumbleweed** · 03-31-2015, 15:13

3 Season Yeti with a winter Yeti on the way. I am playing with the idea that most of the year the 3 season Yeti would be adequate, but in winter I want to try using them both. Seems like I have more options available for the money invested. I know the a full sized zero degree underquilt could be the cat's meow in winter, but the way I currently see it, represents another $100 plus.

I think the there is no way that pads could compete with using the 3 season Yeti for the lower body. Then the winter Yeti (+ 1 ounce) for the upper torso.
Going to find out for sure.
Although I would love to try hanging with a zero incubator in winter, the bulk involved might be a concern. I enjoy playing with my hammock toys.

**arczeneb** · 03-31-2015, 15:30

In the SW desert majority of the time my 3/4 plus (60"). If cold AHE New River long or stack the 3/4. Colder yet which might
happen 2 months out the year Exped dreamwalker peapod set up. As you can see I have alot of options depending on weather. Summer
no way just a sheet if one even finds me outdoors at 105 plus.

DW.jpg

**OneClick** · 03-31-2015, 15:37

Here's a side-by-side I did with a 20° Phoenix and Incubator when I was trying to decide. Keep in mind there is less down in the bottom protion of the Incubator, so that takes up less volume than you may think.

**DrPhun** · 03-31-2015, 17:47

I sleep fairly warm and when I overheat I like to vent my feet so 3/4 helps.

**beenaround** · 04-14-2015, 13:38

I know you've already bought a quilt, but I figure it cant hurt to add on to all the info. I have a 3/4 and im short so it works for me, almost as a full would for you. If I was taller I would prob go with a full size. I tried using a pad that I have from when I was a "ground dweller". It kept the heat in, however it was incredibly uncomfortable. My hammock is dual layer so the pad fits in between the layers and doesn't really move around much but it really doesn't compare to the quilt.

**jackh** · 04-20-2015, 20:37

Originally Posted by hutzelbein

As an extremely cold sleeper, I only use full-length underquilts. A full-length underquilt will always provide more (consistent) warmth.

Which underquilt will be best for you depends.

If you sleep cold, you might want to consider a full-length uq. If you sleep warm or hot, you might not benefit a lot from a full-length uq.
If you already carry a sit pad, a partial uq will save you weight.
If you move a lot in your sleep, a full-length uq will be easier to use, since it doesn't slip like a sit pad does.

In my opinion, the only real reason to go with a partial underquilt is to save weight and volume. In all other categories, a full-length underquilt wins.

Thanks for this. I plan to order a full length.

**MissileMan** · 04-20-2015, 21:23

My first underquilt was a DYI Insultex that is about 48" x 60". When you use the good old Pythagorean Theorem, it works out to 76" on the diagonal. I'm 6'2" and can just get my heals inside the corner when laying on the diagonal. This works pretty good for temps down to 40 degrees.

My cold weather quilt is a 3/4 length ~25 degree down quilt (I bought the shell and filled it myself). Unless I am curling up, then I need a pad under my feet in cold weather. I don't tend to stay stretched out all night, so this works pretty well. I live in the South, so we don't get too many nights much below freezing, so this is also a factor in opting for the shorter form factor. If I spent time in colder climates, then I would go for the full length.