Insulation question

[markhait]

Looking for some input. I currently have a 0 degree top quit and underquilt. I also have a 20 degree top quilt. I'm planning on taking a backpacking trip this September and the lows at night have historically ranged from 43 to 70 degrees. I'm looking to lighten my load as much as possible, but don't have endless funds either. I'm thinking of buying a 40 degree top and underquilt. That combination basically covers this trip and anything else I may do in the summer months. OR, do you think it's cutting the temperature rating a little too close? If it does get down to 43 degrees, I assume that I should be fine, but obviously any lower and I may be cold. What do you think?

[baldknobber]

If you backpack a lot in the summer, it makes sense to shave serious weight by going with a 40 degree UQ. My WL budget summer UQ weighs only 10 oz, more than half the weight of my 20 degree. I’ve slept to about 40 a couple of times, and was a wee bit chilly, but not bad. There are times, like when you need to reduce pack volume, that these summer quilts fill that niche.

For me though, it’s hard to justify a 40 degree top quilt. I just take my 20 degree and vent as needed. The weight and volume difference isn’t as dramatic as in the UQ example.

[markhait]

Based on that, would you suggest a 40 degree AND a 20 degree underquilt? I've read people taking a 0 degree year round and just vent more or less, but that's a lot of bulk for the summer.

[Shug]

You can always vent a UQ.
Save some dough.
Shug

[FinneganMcBrisket]

I backpack in the summer in temps down to the mid 40s, but I've been out in early fall with temps that got down to low 30s and upper 20s. I don't want to own two UQ's, so I've ordered a 20 degree Incubator UQ from HammockGear. I'd rather vent than be cold.

[markhait]

I agree about venting, but it seems to me that taking a 0 degree UQ is excessive if your low is around 40 degrees. Yes/No?
I don't want to buy gear that I don't need and I guess with a 0 degree UQ I have all my temps covered if I vent when it's warmer?
Think I should just stick with my 0 UQ and my 20 TQ and vent as needed?

[W8lkinUSA]

I'm no hammock master, but I reckon a 40°F 3/4 yeti underquilt would keep both the budget and weight low. The Phoenix Econ will drop that price further at the cost of 4 additional ounces. Being tall-ish, I'd likely require the Phoenix..

Just vent the 20° topquilt instead.

If I lived that far north, I'd consider 40 and 0 degree sets..

[Dlrocm]

Wilderness Logics summer series underquilt is amazing. I had a 40 degree full length underquilt that weighed about 18oz. It got me through a 29 degree night once and I was surprisingly not cold. (except my toes!). I did sleep with some extra clothes that night, and I fared better than expected.

Since you already own a 0 degree incubator, a 3/4 length 30 or 40 degree UQ would probably be very useful. As I said before I'd recommend wilderness logics, or the hammock gear Phoenix 30 or 40 degree is another good one too.

As for the top quilt, I'd stick with the ones you own currently. There's really no need to get another one unless you've just got money burning a hole in your pocket.

[SilvrSurfr]

If I already had a 0* quilt set, I'd get a 20* quilt set next. The 40* quilts, in my opinion, are really a luxury - for those times when you're camping in warm weather. For me, that's about three months out of the year, here in New Jersey.

I definitely am not taking 40 * quilts down to 29* F - that's not gonna happen.

[markhait]

You can always vent a UQ.
Save some dough.
Shug

Thanks Shug for your venting explanation! I'm leaning towards that direction, but I still think that I may just buy a 20 degree UQ to go with my TQ. Then I'll still save a little weight and I can ven't as needed.