3-Season or Summer?

**justin.hudgins** · 05-23-2011, 00:57

Hi, all!

I'm new to hammock hanging and looking for some advice.

Over the summer I'll be working in Michigan at a Boy Scout reservation as the Trek Director. It'll involve leading groups of Scouts on 5-day treks on the backwoods of the reservation's property. Not having done any hanging, I'm a bit concerned on what to get for insulation. I'm looking at hammockgear's Burrow TQ and Phoenix UQ in the 3-season variety, but I don't know if that'll be too hot. I hate to go with the summer variety and be too chilly, though. Also, I'd prefer to buy something more multi-use after dropping that kind of coin.

I tend to sleep on the cool side.

Any help at all would be much appreciated. If more info would be helpful, I'm happy to provide it.

Thanks in advance!

Justin

**rip waverly** · 05-23-2011, 01:16

get the 3 season set. it was my first purchase. i wouldn't do it different.

you can vent when warmer.
get that snap burrow, even easier to "cool off" - just use as a blanket.
it's the most versatile. if you come aboard full time--- a winter set and summer set will no doubt follow- both to lighten the load - and ensure warmth.

**Bubba** · 05-23-2011, 01:48

If you are a cold sleeper I'd also recommend the 3 season. Cooling off is easier than warming up once your are tucked in for the night.

**Cogola** · 05-23-2011, 03:26

I'd go for the 3 season. I have a summer TQ & UQ and now wished I'd gone for the 3 season. Used it the other night at about the limit of its advertised temperature range (4C) and was cold by the end of the night. This was wearing socks and a wool thermal top too which I don't usually do. It's still a fine piece of kit, I'd just been hoping it would do me for winter here in Western Australia which usually doesn't get much below this temperature.

**lazy river road** · 05-23-2011, 06:21

Well my first question is what are the lows and highs you are expecting? I don't know MI temps in the summer? And not trying to convince you one way or the other but you'd be surprised how low summer quilts can take you as well as you can always get a little over stuff. I've taken my summer burrow and phoenix set down to 35 and have know others who have gone cooler in their summer set. Ive taken my 3 season set down to the 20's and have had not problems with comfort. It's certainly easy enough to vent a 3 season when it gets hots and it will cover more year round camping cause you can camp in cooler temps but if you want to save on weight id suggest the summer with supplemental clothing. But knowing what temps you are expecting would certainly help

. And lastly Hammock Gear makes excellent quilts and regardless of which quilt you go with from them you will be receiving an awesome quilt. You can check my gallery for lots of pics of hammock gear quilts both in use and packed.

**Cranky Bear** · 05-23-2011, 09:38

Originally Posted by lazy river road

Well my first question is what are the lows and highs you are expecting? I don't know MI temps in the summer? And not trying to convince you one way or the other but you'd be surprised how low summer quilts can take you as well as you can always get a little over stuff. I've taken my summer burrow and phoenix set down to 35 and have know others who have gone cooler in their summer set. Ive taken my 3 season set down to the 20's and have had not problems with comfort. It's certainly easy enough to vent a 3 season when it gets hots and it will cover more year round camping cause you can camp in cooler temps but if you want to save on weight id suggest the summer with supplemental clothing. But knowing what temps you are expecting would certainly help

. And lastly Hammock Gear makes excellent quilts and regardless of which quilt you go with from them you will be receiving an awesome quilt. You can check my gallery for lots of pics of hammock gear quilts both in use and packed.

Yip, what he said! +1

**Wags** · 05-23-2011, 10:47

piggybacking off of lazy river, if you expect to use these items mostly in the summertime then i'd think about doing 1 or the other as a "summer" version. personally i'd probably go 3 season top quilt and summer crowsnest. if you are expecting some really cold temps (like into the low 30s) then you can easily suppliment the underquilt with a pad...

**JaxHiker** · 05-23-2011, 13:22

I just ordered the summer incubator with an extra ounce of down to get me to 32. I've had my Hennessy Supershelter much lower than that and feel confident that the summer uq will be enough for most of my needs. You really need to evaluate your own temp variables though.

**Ringtail** · 05-23-2011, 14:12

Go with the colder rated UQ. As another poster already said, its easier to vent than make warmer.

By the way, I spent the day yesterday reading and napping in my hammock out in the woods. The temps were in the high 60's. My UQ is rated into the 20s and I was perfectly comfortable all day with no venting.

Cheers,

Ringtail

**Cranky Bear** · 05-23-2011, 14:25

Originally Posted by Ringtail

Go with the colder rated UQ. As another poster already said, its easier to vent than make warmer.

I would do this, than the opposite way around! Having the Summer TQ you could supplement with clothes if you were to get chilled, but by having the warmer UQ the chance of getting CBS is less likely to happen by using the 3 season UQ then vs the summer UQ!

I would still look into the temps that you will be out in before deciding on what to get (summer vs 3 season)!

IMHO, take it for what it's worth!