If you could only have ONE... UQ or TQ?

[old4hats]

UQ. I already had an experience with my TQ, had to let my grandson use it. I made a 52 deg. night with a tee shirt and shorts, which were damp from rain. Not the most comfortable night, but I was able to get a bit of sleep and avoid chilling.

[dukhntn]

I went with UQ

[dkurfiss]

UQ for sure but I would get something versatile that I could, if need be, use for either.

I went with Old Rag Mountain from JRB which can be used as a top or bottom quilt. That way if I found a good deal on a used TQ or UQ I could get it and use it with the Old Rag. I also use the Old Rag when I do ground camping and just slip my pad inside the foot box to hold it. Here is a link: http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/old...ngular-quilts/

[donig]

UQ. I got a New River KAQ and use a sleeping bag or poncho liner on top, depending on the temperature.

[FLRider]

An underquilt, for two reasons:

One, it's difficult to insulate underneath you. You can always add insulation to your top quilt (just pile it on, especially a puffy jacket or the like across the torso area of the quilt), but suspending extra insulation beneath you is difficult, at best. Sure, you could get a pad, but that's relatively uncomfortable and difficult to keep in place with a single-layer hammock.

Two, pretty much everyone who has gone camping at some point without an hammock already has top insulation that will work with an hammock. A sleeping bag or a poncho liner, or, heck, even a fleece throw from WallyWorld can work as top insulation. The item might not be as light or compressible as a good top quilt would be, but if budget is the issue, then the underquilt should be purchased first and then the weight/bulk of the top insulation addressed as funds become available later.

That's just my opinion, though. YMMV.

[Ratdog]

Underquilt first but when hanging in sub freezing temps, a proper topquilt took comfort to a whole new level.

[GDM]

UQ. Either go cheap (PLUQ) or dive right in with a warmer/lighter one.

[kdub]

UQ. Better chance of staying warm.

[SilvrSurfr]

UQ, but don't think you can go without top insulation.

[oldpappy]

I'd much rather have an underquilt with a sleeping bag or a blanket, than a topquilt with a pad.

I Agree and I've tried both. UQ and SB or blanket would be my choice.
Now a pod functions as both. Hummm, a summer pod might just be my next experiment.