Newbie...Pad or Under Quilt?

[KevinDee]

Hi everyone. I am new to hammock camping and am wondering which is the better option, pad or under quilt? I already have a thermorest but its pretty bulky and is tricky maneuvering it around in the hammock. The underquilts just look a lot easier to deal with, but man are they expensive (at least the ones I have checked out). are they really worth that price tag?

[gakayaker]

Not speaking from experience(as I don't currently own a uq...yet), but AHE has the KAQ Lost River for one of the more affordable options. And there is always mac's IX uq. Those are the two most affordable options I know of.

[goodcaver]

Hi KevinDee: welcome to the forums! My answer would be yes, they are definitely easier to deal with. I spent maybe one trip on a pad before I decided to go for the underquilt. But they can be a commitment of money--and I understand being short on that.

My solution is DIY--if you can sew a straight line, you can sew yourself an underquilt...

My full-length KAQ has insulation from thru-hiker, and fabric and notions from Wally World. Maybe 40 bucks invested. But the itch has bit me again, and I'm going to make myself a down 3/4 length quilt at some point this year. Still, I only estimate I'm going to spend about 75 bucks on that project. I lust after a 3-season Yeti, but it looks like I'm just going to have to clone it instead

[Running Feather]

Welcome Kevin!

gakayaker and goodcaver offer good advice. I too started with a pad (CCF). I always thought that there should be Benny Hill music playing while I tried to get in/out of the hammock.

"Hours of Amusement" for your friends to watch!

[KevinDee]

thanks for the replies everyone. Making one myself does sound do able. Are there guidelines or blueprints posted of one here?

[BOB1520]

Yes. Here is a link to the article page. Click on the do it yourself gear link on the left side. Several item will be listed.
If you have an HH hammock the Kick *** Quilt aka "KAQ" is a very nice DIY project.
You can also search the threads and find other DIY info for many members.
Once you do some reading you will find that a UQ is very basic to make, depending on the insulation you use. Down can be allitle more challenging. Synthetic insulation is pretty easy.


IMHO pads are a pain in the backside, and I only use them on the rare occasion when I have to go to the ground.

[Shug]

Get an underquilt as soon as you can. If you hammock .... you will want one. I resisted for a long time. Time spent on a pad is fine but once you go UQ .... the party begins!
My 1¢.......
Shug

[Hawk-eye]

Get an underquilt as soon as you can. If you hammock .... you will want one. I resisted for a long time. Time spent on a pad is fine but once you go UQ .... the party begins!
My 1¢.......
Shug

That's more like a million bucks than a penny pal ... amazing the level of quality the experience gives going from a pad to a UQ. Both work ... but one just makes you feel so darn nice!

[koaloha05]

Tried the pad route. Tried recycling the collection of ground dwelling pads (ancient Thermarest, Z-pad, Ridgerest and even a new NeoAir). Prefer the uq. Prices reflect the materials, construction and efforts of the people who make the gear. I'm hoping with proper care and no bad incidents they will hold up for years. Making the $s/year of use low. Only problem I have had is my trial and "error" method of finding the "perfect" uq for the hammock used and conditions used in. Bit like the early days in finding the hammock I prefer. Think I've settled on the uqs.

The MacIX is in the mail. Have yet to see one live. But, the feedback from people at this site is positive. It's inexpensive relative to other uq.

[G.L.P.]

yeah i started with a pad....and upgraded to a UQ ....let me tell ya

i will never go back to a pad....NEVER