what length do you prefer? full, 2/3, 3/4?

**Rug** · 09-09-2011, 16:36

I have a Full Length JRB Winter Nest quilt, that is awesome in winter, and has kept me warm in -20^C.
It still works fine in all months except full-bore summer. (say 1-3 weeks per year)

I also have a 3/4 length Winter Ptarmigan, that is awesome all year round except for 2-3 hours during the hottest summer week.

If I could only own 1, I would be very hard-pressed to give an answer. It would depend on where I would plan on hanging. For the range of temps, smaller packed size/weight, and 'best-fit' I would say the Ptarmigan wins. If I needed something for very-long term winter camping, (and temps below -20^C) I would take the JrB.

In reality, I get both. The Ptarmigan goes with me on more trips though.

**Caribou Bentspoke** · 09-09-2011, 17:39

As soon as Stormcrow invents a Burrow with a dedicated footpad pocket, with no down on the bottom, I'll go back to fractional.
I'm tired of playing twister with a free ranging footpad.

**default** · 09-09-2011, 20:48

i got some good advice on this that i didnt think about. since i cant afford a real TQ, but will get one eventually, once i have that the length wont be an issue. so since im not quite as hardcore a camper as shug, a 3/4 will work well.

so i think i have my winner. if i ever loose enough weight or actually do a lot more camping/can afford the lighter stuff, the slightly shorter will work for now.

and since a good UQ can give more warmth than a similarly rated TQ overall, then im all set.

as always, this place sets up people with the best advice. thanks guys!

**phatpacker** · 09-11-2011, 09:04

it is better to not need full lenghth and have it than need it and not have it
how much weight do you save to be cold or uncomfortable with a pad floating arround. I am under the school of thought of weighing out the lightest option while retaining a level of saftey. My base weight is arround 12 lbs with a full length.

**hangnout** · 09-11-2011, 09:45

Originally Posted by phatpacker

it is better to not need full lenghth and have it than need it and not have it
how much weight do you save to be cold or uncomfortable with a pad floating arround. I am under the school of thought of weighing out the lightest option while retaining a level of saftey. My base weight is arround 12 lbs with a full length.

For me it is not about the weight but the "level of safety". If I am forced to ground the pad gives me that. Now a full length and a torso pad would be the ticket in really cold temps. In the end it is a personal choice but a FL without a plan to go to ground could be really uncomfortable.

**default** · 09-11-2011, 10:41

i am so dang hasty some days...i completely forgot about the fact that im a broke sob and cant get the top quilt for quite some time...so ill have cold feet...haha,

its going to be a heavy UQ anyway, so 20" extra in the length i dont think will make a huge difference...

**yooz85** · 09-11-2011, 15:10

i have the te-wa freeze, ive brougt it down to the low teens and slept very comfortable. im a mere 5' 6" so it covers the majority of my body plus i sleep on my side with my knees tucked. ive used my foot pad a few times but can do with out, but its the frame to my pack so i always have it.

**MAD777** · 09-11-2011, 18:26

I'm in between the 2/3 and 3/4. I am 73" tall and make my under quilts 51".

**olddog** · 09-11-2011, 19:18

Rev, I'm in the process of replacing my old kit to reduce pack weight. My old UQ was a sewn PLUQ which is more than adequate for Florida. (so far) Thinking a little outside the box the other night laying in the hammock. I'm getting to the point with sleeping in my hammock every night that I don't roll on to my side much. This leaves me sleeping on a section of the hammock about 36" wide diagonally across the hammock from side to side. With a rectangular UQ that would leave two triangular areas on each side that doesn't need insulation. I may never make it to goose down and will be using synthetic so any weight savings will be a +. Maybe there's something I'm not seeing, if so please let me know. I'm another one of those poor sob's and this place is costing me enough as it is.

Wife is hanging for her first time tonight, that means more of everything. If this is confusing, lay in your hammock diagonally on your back and or side. Now put saftey pins just outside the area you actually use on the hem. In a 5'x11' hammock we don't use much space. I tried to find if this had been covered at anytime in the past but didn't have any luck. I'm going to continue on this line and will update as it progresses. In another line of thought( wild idea) I'm looking at that large triangular area above my face as a handy pocketed area instead of a ridgeline organizer.