Can you stack underquilts?

[Green Mountain Boy]

I'd like to take advantage of the HG sale. I already own a Summer Phoenix, which I purchased used from a fellow HF member, and I love it. I have stayed warm into the high 40's with that and a 2QZQ UQP plus a light summer sleeping bag as a top quilt.

So as I was considering whether I should try to scrape together the funds to buy an underquilt for cooler weather, I started to wonder whether I should go all the way to a winter quilt or could I get more versatility by purchasing a 3-season quilt and perhaps stacking the summer quilt and the 3-season for those times I might want to winter camp. Has anybody out there tried to "double up" quilts? I am thinking about wrapping the 3/4 length Summer Phoenix with a full length 3-season Incubator.

[Doctari]

Yea, I do it "all the time", well, at least in the super cold weather (below about 20 or so). Hang your upper quilt like you usually do, & have the lower underquilt, JUST TOUCHING the upper one. You want to compress the upper one very slightly, but not so much that you an lose an appreciable amount of loft. There, of the most part you are done. As with most things Hammock related, it may take a bit of tweaking. You may have to loosen or tighten your suspension.
On it's own, my "Lower quilt" keeps me warm to about 30, my 3/4 length upper quilt does just a shade better on it's own. Together I can get to around 10, maybe lower. Don't know for sure cause when it gets that cool I add a 1X by Molly Mac Gear & can go to sub zero temps.

So there you go.

[Shug]

I have doubled up and it works for real cold weather. Try not to compress the down....you will get a bit but it seemed to me to more than adequate.
I also put an wide mummy bag over my DIY 1/2 UQ this winter in minus 17º.
Warmest I ever slept in sub-zero.
Shug

[Green Mountain Boy]

Thanks for the replies. I've got my nylon for a DIY hammock that I plan to make and use in the "non-bug" weather of fall to early spring. The peapod approach doesn't work with the WBBB, but seems fine when I've tried with a regular gathered end hammock, though it seems that a larger foot area in the bag (as in rectangular vs. mummy), the more comfortable it would be. May have to try the partial underquilt, down sleeping bag as "peapod" plus the UQP (just because). I don't know about -17 though...

[MAD777]

As usual, another classic, practical but entertaining, info-packed video, Shug!

[Hobbit]

So far, camping down to 5°F, I use a 3S Phenoix against the hammock and lightly cover with a full length JRB Sierra Stealth. The Stealth is a 40 - 45 deg quilt. I put them on in that order as the Stealth is part of my wearable warmth around the camp site and I put it on the hammock when ready for bed. Bye the way, for me the 3S Phenoix alone is good to around 20°F.

[gargoyle]

Do what you gotta do to stay warm.
I've doubled the quilts, stuck in a pad or two, added in a blanket, wrapped the whole hammock with a sock, spare clothes. Whatever it takes and whatever I got with me.
If it gets to warm, usually venting the topquilt some helps with regulating temp, or removing my hat or any extra clothing I have on.
Stay warm and sleep well.

[exup]

I feel like having a summer UQ then a winter UQ would be the most versatile. You should get down to around 35 degrees with the summer, and much lower into the 20s the extra weight probably wouldn't bother you as your already carrying your extra winter gear, what's a few more ounces, haha.

I have a 3 season phoenix and a summer phoenix on the way, I do plan on giving the layering trick a try.

[DemostiX]

So far, camping down to 5°F, I use a 3S Phenoix against the hammock and lightly cover with a full length JRB Sierra Stealth. The Stealth is a 40 - 45 deg quilt. I put them on in that order as the Stealth is part of my wearable warmth around the camp site and I put it on the hammock when ready for bed. F.

Very cool. Great flexibility in those JRB products.And this extends the range.

[DaleW]

..... this winter in minus 17º.....
Warmest I ever slept in sub-zero.
Shug

......

Geez, Shug, you know what -17º is? It's God's way of telling you to GO HOME!

I wonder if the Army is listening. Arctic and Mountain troops in hammocks rather than freezing on the ground. Hmmmm, Kevlar hammocks with night vision periscopes