Advice for summer quilts

[Erok_]

Purchased a 0 degree econ incubator for this winter. I love this quilt. I have had it in the high teens here in michigan. So me and the wife are getting two more quilts this summer. We can't decide on full length or 3/4 or 40/30 degrees. Any one have any advice?

[Shug]

Go 3/4.
Cheaper.
Takes less pack room.
Small sit pad in TQ at night under feet.
Good to go.
My 3¢ worth.
Shug

[cmoulder]

Is this for short-distance (<5 mi/day), longer-distance (10-20 mi/day) backpacking or for car camping or a mix of all?

For car camping, a full-length UQ is a luxury you can afford. For short-distance backpacking, full-length is probably okay. 10-20 mi per day and you definitely want to go with the lighter weight and lower volume of a 3/4.

When weight and volume are your main concerns, lighter weight shell material (especially!) and higher loft down become very important .

[OneClick]

It's one of the most popular decisions around here. I've tried both and just stick with the full length. I did get a 62" (call it a 7/8 UQ) to cover me from shoulders to heels, but that's a 30° I use for warmer weather. If I regularly did summer camping, I'd probably get a 40° set. I just don't like the heat enough to get out often in the summer.

Price, weight, size come into play. But if it's warmer weather I usually have less bulk to begin with so a longer quilt isn't an issue. Add maybe 4-5oz, no big deal. And the cost I see as a nonissue, something to amortize over years of backpacking.

[HillbillyHanger]

I'm a fairly cold sleeper so I have to use an underquilt any time the temperature is below 70F. I agree with the 3/4 for Summer. I use a 3/4 Phoenix Econ and it works well. Before that I used a 3/4 1S Jarbidge that also works well. If it's going to rain a lot, I'll still take the Jarbidge.

[Vanhalo]

For me the 3/4 is my year round UQ. (150-200 days October to May)

I do not own a full length UQ.

[oldpappy]

I'm a fan of 3/4 length too.
During the warm summer nights, it is easy to slip it off to the side when you first bed down, then pull it under you as the night cools off.
Also, for those occasional bitter cold nights you can stack a 3/4 with a full length.

[wvumountaineer52]

Is there a specific height of an individual were a 3/4 just isn't sufficient enough even with the foot pad?

[dakotaross]

Is there a specific height of an individual were a 3/4 just isn't sufficient enough even with the foot pad?

Maybe, I mean, I'm sure there is, but then it would just be a longer 3/4 for that person as full length would be longer as well.

[Dvankirk]

All of my underquilts are full length. I'm just more comfortable and don't want to fiddle with something under my feet. I disagree with not using them when I'm putting in 20 miles a day, though. Even with full length quilts, my base weight in the summer is around 12 pounds.