10 degree or 20

[SilvrSurfr]

An entire AT thru hike with 10* quilts? I'd hate to lug that 2000 miles. My HG 0* quilts are just too bulky and heavy to hike more than 4 or 5 miles, and 10* quilts won't be much better. I'd be hesitant to even try 20* quilts the entire way.

I might start with 20* quilts in mid-March, but by May, I'd be thinking about 40* quilts.

[Red Wing]

I pack a 10 to and 0 wookie with 3 oz overfill in my kumo. 36l. Just pack smart.

[Tyroler Holzhacker]

+1 on "I might start with 20* quilts in mid-March, but by May, I'd be thinking about 40* quilts." I like 40 degree quilts from May-September in the Mid Atlantic USA or places with similar temperate climates and varied elevation.

[FreshStart]

She has 30s for spring/summer. That got her through a big mix of weather last July in Vermont. Yeah definitely agree I wouldn't want to carry a 10 degree the whole way. It wouldn't be necessary...more concerned about the fact that the whole month of March felt like February for us on the east coast. We are from jersey and the whole east coast had snow into the second week of April this year. It's pretty unusual for us to have such a cold spring but clearly there's no way of knowing, which is why I was asking if a 20 degree for March isn't enough..

Thank you for everyone's feedback so far.

[SilvrSurfr]

Are you going NOBO or SOBO? I'm not sure I would base the quilts I carry on New Jersey weather in April (unless you were going SOBO).

[Peppy]

If you start with a 10 degree UQ, and 20 degree TQ early on, switch at some point to your 30's. You'll have the cushion for cold at the start, and the lighter quilts as you progress

[Nedh84]

What are everyone's thoughts about a 10 degree UQ and 20 TQ? I'm not sure about the room in her pack. She has an osprey aura 50 but she's been considering the ULA circuit, which is a 65L.

Since she already has 30's, I would just go with dual 10's rather than any 20's mixed in. More options for her and I never really understood the purpose of different ratings for bottom/top.

You take the 30's when you're expecting 40s+ weather
You take the 10's when you're expecting 20s+ weather

This gives you a 10 degree buffer for the unexpected cold snap that can happen when you're in unpredictable mountain weather.

[Wmt90]

I'd go with 10! You can loosen the UQ but can't make it warmer. My two sets are a 10 degree econ, and a jarbidge. Between the 2 I have all the protection I'll need. Just need to dial in my tq setups.