I'm pretty new to hammock camping, I have 40* quilts and also a 20* underquilt. My question is; in 20* weather will a 20* UQ and 40* TQ be warm enough or do I need 20* TQ also?
I'm pretty new to hammock camping, I have 40* quilts and also a 20* underquilt. My question is; in 20* weather will a 20* UQ and 40* TQ be warm enough or do I need 20* TQ also?
Depends on a lot of things, are you sleeping in just shorts or a light base layer or something heavier. Hydration and caloric intake will be important, you need fuel in the furnace to stay warm. Is you hammock open or does it have a bug net/over cover as these will both extend the range of the TQ. I've used our 40*TQs down to 18* w/ a 40* UQ but i certainly was feeling the cold at that point, 22* below rating. With a 20* UQ you will extend the range of the 40* TQ lower but 20* you may be feeling the cold creep in.... Question is how warm do you want to be???
extra clothes can help add to the TQ rating. they do not add to UQ because you compress them. it all depends on the person also.
"Tenting is equivalent to a bum crawling into a cardboard box, hammocking is an art" KK
I always thought that having a 20 degree tq with a 20 degree uq was a bit of overkill for the top quilt. I've done a 15 degree difference and was perfectly warm with a 15 degree top quilt and a 0 degree underquilt on the AT in TN with a low of 4 degrees in early February. This was with just a light polypro baselayer. Although a 20 degree difference between the 2 is a bit of a stretch. I would go no more than 10-15 degree difference between your top quilt temp and the expectant low as long as your UQ's rating was lower than the actual low temperature.
I've gone down into the teens with a 40° TQ, but I was using a hammock with an overcover and wore some of my clothes to make up the difference. It can definitely be done if you're a fairly warm sleeper. But, if you're a cold sleeper, try it at home first.
David
My lowest test in my 40° Incubator was around 30°. I was wearing Capilene 4 pants and top which are pretty thick. Two pairs of socks and a wool cap. Slept well all through the night.
I think another big factor is the range of temps. Gradually falling thru the 50s then 40s to a low of 30° at 7am with a quick warmup is much different than a high of 45° rapidly hitting 30°, with little warmup after sunrise. I'm sometimes hesitant to throw out "I got down to 30°" because of this.
With med base layers, wool socks, fleece hood, recently managed 27-29F, using 40* TQ and 20* 3/4 UQ. Down puffer under legs and feet.
I wasn't hot, wasn't cool, I was snug and comfortable. Over the next two nights as the temps rose slightly each evening, I was venting, lost the fleece hood for a hat.
Winds were low to moderate. First 2 nights Tarp down tight, the last left in porch mode.
You really have to see what works for you, and at what temp ranges. The vendors sounding in here have a good feel for what folks require in general, so that's always a safe reliable place to start. I'm pretty convinced their temp ratings on equipment across the board, for most, would be considered, conservatively stated.
And thank you for that!
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i got to in the mid 20's with my poncho liner under quilt.it was made by jacks r better like the nest years ago.i hung it under my hennessey hammock the packed it with clean freshly fallen leavesneo
the matrix has you
Thanks for all the help! Greatly appreciated.i think I'm gunna give it a try close to home and see how it goes first.
This is an interesting thread. I never really thought about experimenting in this manner. I guess I have something else to do. ::sheesh::, the list grows!
"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy." -D'Signore's, Tide Mill Farm, Edmunds, Maine.
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