Backpacking bulk?

**AduroNox** · 09-05-2010, 00:57

I kind of want to buy/make myslelf an underquilt, but my concern is that one would proove too bulky for backpacking. Is this so, or am I missing something?

**thomas533** · 09-05-2010, 02:26

If you were carrying sleeping pad, you won't need that once you have an under quilt (unless it is very cold and you want both for extra warmth). You can also reduce your bulk by substituting a top quilt for your full sleeping bag.

I had no problem getting my full hammock system, other gear and food for a 6 day trip into my 58 L pack.

**coolkayaker1** · 09-05-2010, 04:06

Like the Lost RIver. Very small packable, without the wet care needed for down.

**gargoyle** · 09-05-2010, 06:22

Most uq's pack really small and with reasonable weights. The need to insulate the bottom of the hammock is necessary! They are not an option, IMO, as much as they are a necessity. Worth every ounce.
A good uq can actually decrease the amount of top insultion needed. Since your backside is warm and heat rises, you can carry less for the topquilt, in most situations.

**skistrees** · 09-05-2010, 08:15

Bulk has not been an issue for me. Plenty of room even without compressing the quilt too much. Tarp and hammock take up less space than tent and pad. Quilt wraps around shoulders letting top insulation be less than ground dweller's.

**TinaLouise** · 09-05-2010, 08:22

Originally Posted by AduroNox

I kind of want to buy/make myslelf an underquilt, but my concern is that one would proove too bulky for backpacking. Is this so, or am I missing something?

No, under quilts (or any quilts) are not to bulky for backpacking.... But, you do need to research and make wise choices for your UQ's. I've made all of my quilts, some down, some climashield. I recently sold my winter climashield UQ becasue it didn't pack down for backpacking. The girl I sold it to never backpacks, only car camping type trips. So it works for her. All my other quilts including my winter ones, all are backpacked by me. My pack weights range from summer... about 16 pounds and winter about 20 pounds (not including food & water). My pack is an Aarn Featherlite, so not a lot of room there to pack bulky stuff and my clothes & hammock and stove. My down quilts really pack down rather nicely, I "free stuff" them around my hammock inside my pack.

TinaLouise

**kthompson** · 09-05-2010, 09:06

My JRB Stealth Universal long quilt weighs the same and packs down to the same size as my large Neoair. Works for me down to freezing as a uq.

**MacEntyre** · 09-05-2010, 09:24

Shug recommends 3/4 UQs for backpackers. It be good advice!

**tiredhiker** · 09-05-2010, 09:47

Originally Posted by AduroNox

I kind of want to buy/make myslelf an underquilt, but my concern is that one would proove too bulky for backpacking. Is this so, or am I missing something?

Well, let me start off by saying that the underquilts are bulky when set up ,but you got to remember that they are down and that means mostly AIR so they pack down really small. As mentioned above just get a good 3/4 length or make one and you will be just fine,

**Just Jeff** · 09-05-2010, 10:09

Here's a picture of the bulk of several insulation types. Doesn't have the newer partial UQs there but it'll give you an idea.
http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCampingWarm.html