taper

**Billcole** · 01-27-2016, 05:45

Is there a negative to having a top quilt with no taper vs with taper other than weight?

**Grumpy Squatch** · 01-27-2016, 07:29

The more empty space, the more heat is lost by your body warming it up, so tapered quilts are warmer.

**Helium33** · 01-27-2016, 07:54

I get no taper in a summer quilt for more foot space.

**Billcole** · 01-27-2016, 19:25

Ok,understand the warmer part. Was looking at a 55" wide with no taper on a 0 degree quilt. Specifically as a double duty tq and warm extra blanket to carry as second layer form my wife and I in a tent. Thought the no taper would make it more useful as a blanket. Maybe adding over stuff in the foot box would help.

**Grumpy Squatch** · 01-27-2016, 20:52

Originally Posted by Billcole

Ok,understand the warmer part. Was looking at a 55" wide with no taper on a 0 degree quilt. Specifically as a double duty tq and warm extra blanket to carry as second layer form my wife and I in a tent. Thought the no taper would make it more useful as a blanket. Maybe adding over stuff in the foot box would help.

Car camping or backpacking? Tapered quilts are also lighter than a similar rectangular quilt so anyone who backpacks prefers them.

Jacks R Better make some large, "mild" taper down quilts that are rated for 0° and big enough for 2 if you get real close. Check the Katahdin: http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/the...n-large-quilt/. Or single quilts that can be put together. They have other options if you poke around the site.

Also see the sale Paul has going on at Arrowhead Equipment for his new Alpine Blanket if you'll take synthetic insulation: https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ne-Blanket-AHE

**Monkeyboy42** · 01-27-2016, 21:05

Originally Posted by Grumpy Squatch

Car camping or backpacking? Tapered quilts are also lighter than a similar rectangular quilt so anyone who backpacks prefers them.

Jacks R Better make some large, "mild" taper down quilts that are rated for 0° and big enough for 2 if you get real close. Check the Katahdin: http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/the...n-large-quilt/. Or single quilts that can be put together. They have other options if you poke around the site.

Also see the sale Paul has going on at Arrowhead Equipment for his new Alpine Blanket if you'll take synthetic insulation: https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ne-Blanket-AHE

The weight difference isn't a lot. I did the math on my 55x76 20degree quilt I just finished. 1/2 Taper from 55" down to 45" was 20.5 no taper was 22oz. I made the compromise to carry the extra ounce and a half when backpacking, so that my wife would have a bigger quilt when tent camping. I seem to have similar concerns to you.

It also doesn't hurt that the down math came out a lot neater per baffle.

I also was willing to take the warmth ding, since I am almost never out when it's 20degrees.

**Caminante** · 01-27-2016, 21:24

One drawback is keeping it in your hammock. The more taper, the better behaved it is.

**Billcole** · 01-28-2016, 12:35

Thanks, From what I have noticed the difference is usually only and ounce or two. The bigger concern would be warmth. I would add and 2 ounces to compensate.