Question On UQ Design

**affreeman** · 10-12-2009, 16:53

I have been amusing myself a bit lately by exploring the options for an underquilt for my HH Explorer Ultralight. I have never used an underquilt; rather I use the Hennessy underpad and undercover, along with a heat sheet.

When I look at underquilts, they all seem to provide full coverage for the bottom of the hammock. This seems wasteful to me. I am wondering if there is a reason why underquilts are not made to insulate only the portion of the hammock where the user lies when sleeping, similar to how the underpad only insulates under the sleeper.

**lori** · 10-12-2009, 17:20

If you move a lot in the hammock at night, the full underquilt feels like mad genius. No matter where I put my feet, right, left, up the middle, I'm warm. If all that mattered was warmth, I'd just use the fifteen dollar pad. I like consistent, decadent, enveloping warmth, to roll around on either side, sprawl and snore in. Technically, it does just what you say it doesn't do. It stays right where I do - all over the hammock.

**Dutch** · 10-12-2009, 17:57

Here is a more form fitting UQ. I am also working on more asym design. i also think 1/2 and 3/4 UQ are less wasteful.

**TeeDee** · 10-12-2009, 19:15

That is precisely why I made my Bridge under quilts as I did - the expensive down is only where the person is. No wasted down, no vast expanses of expensive, unoccupied hammock fabric.

Of course, this is much easier to do in a Bridge Hammock.

**swinglow** · 10-12-2009, 22:12

I'm definitely going to have to try one of these UQ.

**Knotty** · 10-12-2009, 23:11

I've often wondered why quilts for the HH and some others aren't just insulated along the diagonal on which you lie (left to right)?

**Sailor** · 10-12-2009, 23:15

For weight and cost, all these "smaller" UQ's sound great. I've got a SnugFit on my BB, and I really like it--lie left to right, r t l, center w/ feet both sides, on my side up against one side-- you name it, and its still warm. Not the lightest, but the most luxurious!

**Wentworth** · 10-13-2009, 21:16

I agree on the snugfit. Not the lightest out there, but definitely the most luxurious, allowing me to use a lighter top quilt.

**Peter_pan** · 10-14-2009, 11:36

Originally Posted by affreeman

I have been amusing myself a bit lately by exploring the options for an underquilt for my HH Explorer Ultralight. I have never used an underquilt; rather I use the Hennessy underpad and undercover, along with a heat sheet.

When I look at underquilts, they all seem to provide full coverage for the bottom of the hammock. This seems wasteful to me. I am wondering if there is a reason why underquilts are not made to insulate only the portion of the hammock where the user lies when sleeping, similar to how the underpad only insulates under the sleeper.

afreeman, et al,

At 78 inches in length the Standard Family of JRB quilts insulates from the crown of the head to the arch of the feet for an average 6 foot sleeper, and side wrap to provide side insulation for a variety of side and back position... as you muse... they do not cover the entire bottom of hammocks.

Pan