I made the torso length because packability was the factor, discounting that I would go full length.
I made the torso length because packability was the factor, discounting that I would go full length.
Do you sleep warm or cold? I would only get a partial underquilt if you sleep warm and don't mind the pad under your legs. If you sleep on your sides or move a lot, keeping the pad in place will become more difficult.
If you sleep cold, go with a full-length. If weight and volume are very important, go with the shortest full-length uq you can get away with. I recently got a short HG Incubator (I'm 5'4") and it's amazing how much weight I saved in comparison with my "standard sized" underquilts...
If you're backpacking, you need to ask yourself if you're going to:
A.) be out in temperatures and/or with short enough time frames for camp (read: not much daylight compared to your hiking distances) for the full-length's additional lack of fiddle factor over the partial-length to be a major player in your decision-making process
and
B.) carry a CCF pad for other reasons than to go under your legs (sit pad, "virtual frame" for a frameless pack, fire fanner, bear chew toy, etc.).
If the answer to A.) is "Yes!", then I'd suggest a full-length for you. The extra warmth and ease of set-up of it will be very helpful. If not, then let's go to B.).
If the answer to B.) is "Yes!", but the answer to A.) is "No!" then I'd suggest a partial-length. The extra weight and bulk saved over the full-length will be a big help on long days on trail.
If the answer is "Yes!" to both, then I'd err on the side of the full-length. Even if you wind up not liking it, a reputable cottage vendor's full-length can be sold here for about what a partial-length is going to cost you, anyway. Which means you'll only have a minor "ignorance tax" associated with it.
If the answer is "No!" to both, then I'd also err on the side of the full-length. You're not going to be carrying CCF anyway, so the extra warmth is going to be good for you.
If you're not hiking (or biking or fastpacking or anything with strict weight and volume requirements), disregard the above decision tree......
"Just prepare what you can and enjoy the rest."
--Floridahanger
Great reply FLRider!
After being totally impressed with the weight savings on my new 40° Burrow vs. sleeping bag, I'm almost tempted to go with a 3/4 length UQ. But after thinking about it more, and not carrying a pad, I think I'll keep my full length UQs.
Not a problem. It's one of the things that I spent some time thinking about before making my own quilts. Money won out in the end, for me, which is why my first down UQ is partial-length (I only had enough material at the time to make a partial-length), but my next DIY pack will use a removable CCF pad as part of its suspension and padding.Originally Posted by markr6
"Just prepare what you can and enjoy the rest."
--Floridahanger
You wouldn't believe the "ignorant tax" I paid getting to a suitable tent set up, hoping to pay less on the hammock. What you say makes sense. I do section hikes of 400 miles or so and 3-4 day trip in between when the weather is cool. I'm not a cold sleeper but do like being warm. I do carry a sit pad that could serve as foot insulation. My thinking now is to purchase a full length good to 20* and make a 35* or so synthetic torso length to use on float trips in warmer weather.If you're backpacking, you need to ask yourself if you're going to:
A.) be out in temperatures and/or with short enough time frames for camp (read: not much daylight compared to your hiking distances) for the full-length's additional lack of fiddle factor over the partial-length to be a major player in your decision-making process
and
B.) carry a CCF pad for other reasons than to go under your legs (sit pad, "virtual frame" for a frameless pack, fire fanner, bear chew toy, etc.).
If the answer to A.) is "Yes!", then I'd suggest a full-length for you. The extra warmth and ease of set-up of it will be very helpful. If not, then let's go to B.).
If the answer to B.) is "Yes!", but the answer to A.) is "No!" then I'd suggest a partial-length. The extra weight and bulk saved over the full-length will be a big help on long days on trail.
If the answer is "Yes!" to both, then I'd err on the side of the full-length. Even if you wind up not liking it, a reputable cottage vendor's full-length can be sold here for about what a partial-length is going to cost you, anyway. Which means you'll only have a minor "ignorance tax" associated with it.
If the answer is "No!" to both, then I'd also err on the side of the full-length. You're not going to be carrying CCF anyway, so the extra warmth is going to be good for you.
If you're not hiking (or biking or fastpacking or anything with strict weight and volume requirements), disregard the above decision tree...
6'1"+.....180lbs.
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