Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 22
  1. #1
    Senior Member JerryW's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    West Central Illinois
    Hammock
    DIY Bridge
    Tarp
    DIY Hex/Grizz Beak
    Insulation
    DIY UQ and TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    1,143
    Images
    101

    Top vs. Bottom Insulation

    For a given low temperature, do you want more insulation in the underquilt or in the top quilt?

    For example, I made a top quilt using Momentum and Climashield Combat and it will keep me warm into the upper 50's(sleeping in a tent w/a Big Agnes insulated pad).

    Now that I'm moving to a hammock, what can I expect to need for my underquilt(alone - no pad)? Can I us the same thickness Climashield or will I need more under me? Or less?

    I realize this is pretty subjective, but let's here some opinions and educated guesses.

    Thanks - Jerry

  2. #2
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Hammock
    Warbonnet ON!
    Tarp
    SuperFly or MacCat
    Insulation
    Yetis & Mambas
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    13,605
    Images
    136
    My opinion is that the underquilt is insulating 3/4 of your body (back and sides) the top quilt traps the rising heat and helps a little on the side. Therefore, most folks are going to want more underquilt than topquilt. JMO.
    Trust nobody!

  3. #3
    Senior Member animalcontrol's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Albany, NY
    Hammock
    Warbonnet BB XLC 1.7, Traveler S1.7
    Tarp
    Cuben DIY
    Insulation
    Hammockgear
    Suspension
    whoopie slings
    Posts
    2,504
    Images
    101
    I too have made mulitple Climashield TQ/UQs and I like them very much. Because I made them to fit MY needs, they are lighter and just as compressible as any down items I own (which is many).
    - 40*F and up Summer UQ - 2.5oz/yd Climashield XP 36x51 ~ 7oz. I don't need a huge full size UQ for 3 season use. I supplement with a 3/8 ccf sit pad (3oz)that I carry...the 2 together have taken me to mid-30s
    - 30*F and up TQ/UQ - 3.7oz/yd Climashield Combat 45x63 ~ 15oz. 30*F is pushing this weight for me, but weight/temp ratio on this quilt is very good.
    - 20*F TQ/UQ - 5.0oz/yd Climashield XP 50x68 ~ 20oz. Very warm, but starts getting too bulky.

    These temps are what works for me...
    I agree with Cannibal that typically, I seem to need about 5-10*F more insulation for an UQ vs a TQ (everything being the same)
    "Every day is a new day to a better future"
    "Of all the things that matter, that really and truly matter, working more efficiently and getting more done is not among them." ~ Mike Dooley
    "What if I told you that you couldn't have anymore of anything... No more friends, no more money, no more anything, until you first got happy with what you have?"~ Mike Dooley
    "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." ~ Socrates

  4. #4
    Senior Member Perkolady's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    NE GA
    Hammock
    diy
    Tarp
    diy 9x11
    Insulation
    JRB No Sniveller
    Suspension
    CBs + DCs
    Posts
    1,093
    Images
    29
    I also find I need more insulation under me than over me.

  5. #5
    Senior Member GrizzlyAdams's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Illinois
    Hammock
    GrizzBridge Ariel
    Tarp
    HG Cuben Winter
    Insulation
    DIY UQ
    Posts
    4,777
    Images
    564
    Quote Originally Posted by JerryW View Post
    For a given low temperature, do you want more insulation in the underquilt or in the top quilt?

    For example, I made a top quilt using Momentum and Climashield Combat and it will keep me warm into the upper 50's(sleeping in a tent w/a Big Agnes insulated pad).

    Now that I'm moving to a hammock, what can I expect to need for my underquilt(alone - no pad)? Can I us the same thickness Climashield or will I need more under me? Or less?

    I realize this is pretty subjective, but let's here some opinions and educated guesses.

    Thanks - Jerry
    methinks a guy who can saunter in here and show off a DIY hammock AND tarp as pretty as you please is up to whacking out a down UQ.

    seriously.

    I've no experience with the synthetic insulators, but can speak to down. There are estimates on loft needed for a given temperature, I've been warm over a 2" loft down UQ to upper 30's, warm over a 4" loft down to the teens. The latest craze 'round here is to build quilts that cover head to thighs more or less, and use a pad or a backpack or something similar under the lower legs. Brings the weight, bulk (and cost!) of the UQ down. I am a fan of the method myself, the two referenced UQ's above are both of that breed.

    As for the question you really asked, I think of the insulation system as a sort of sleeping bag that happens to have a hammock in the middle of it. Indeed there are designs which are exactly that. So my instincts on how much above versus how much below say they ought to be about the same, perhaps with a slight bias towards the bottom, because DANG once you get a cold spot down there ain't nobody having any fun anymore.

    my $0.05 worth, offered for free!

    Grizz

  6. #6
    Senior Member JerryW's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    West Central Illinois
    Hammock
    DIY Bridge
    Tarp
    DIY Hex/Grizz Beak
    Insulation
    DIY UQ and TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    1,143
    Images
    101
    Quote Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams View Post
    methinks a guy who can saunter in here and show off a DIY hammock AND tarp as pretty as you please is up to whacking out a down UQ.


    Well, I have thought about trying some down projects. Probably would be a good idea before fall, especially since I might go to the Northern Hang on the Superior Hiking trail. I don't like being cold.

    So, the consensus here is to go a little heavier on the bottom, which is kinda what I figured, so that's what I'll do. I have enough Momentum and Climashield to make a 3/4+ underquilt with an extra layer of Climashield. I'm going to loosely follow the KAQ tutorial I found on this great website. Should make a good late-spring to early-fall UQ.

    What do you suppose I'll be doing this weekend?

    Thanks all!
    Jerry

  7. #7
    Member Tiki's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Oaktown
    Hammock
    Warbonnet BB 1.7 Dbl & ENO Dbl.
    Tarp
    GoLite Cave 2
    Insulation
    Thermarest or CCF
    Suspension
    Rings n' Straps
    Posts
    69
    From my experience as a ground dweller.. the bottom is more important than the top.

    I used to work retail in the outdoor industry and had people complain about being cold in a 20* mummy bag. When I asked them what they had under.. they were like .. huh?! No pad.. owch/frigid..

    For years I just used my pack and clothes fpr insulation.. The first thing I noticed in my ENO double was how cold I was underneath. Now instead of the ground wicking my heat away it is the air.. I think it is even more of an issue in a hammock. The good thing for the hangers is.. UQ's weigh less than a good pad.

    I regularly sleep with a 35* down bag and stay warm when people in 5* bags get cold. Not so in the ENO unless I put a pad under me. I use a pad now. but hope to have a Yeti UQ soon.

  8. #8
    Senior Member TinaLouise's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    wilmington, nc
    Hammock
    BB1.0 double
    Tarp
    Hybrid Cuben F.
    Insulation
    Down & IX
    Suspension
    BB straps,whoopies
    Posts
    1,367
    temps are subjective to the person. And the person is conditioned to the enviroment that they're used to. What I'm trying to say is, I'm in the south and it's hot, humid, here. When the temps dip to about 75 or below, I need under insulation. Might not need top insulation though. Someone further north of me probably is laughing away at needing any kind of insulation at the temps that I'm chilly at!! That said, I've found that I need more insulation under than on top. You will have to figure out by trial and error what temps and how much insulation you will need to stay warm.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Waynesboro, VA
    Hammock
    DIY bridge, Pertex "Grackle"
    Tarp
    DIY 10x11
    Insulation
    DIY this-n-that
    Suspension
    Whoopie/M-spike
    Posts
    615
    Images
    2
    Too much insulation can cause sweating and that can conversely leave you cool. Sometimes it's tricky to figure out whether I'm overinsulated on the top or bottom, or inderinsulated somewhere. It's a delicate balance...
    .. truly to enjoy bodily warmth, some small part of you must be cold, for there is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself. If you flatter yourself that you are all over comfortable, and have been so a long time, then you cannot be said to be comfortable any more. - Herman Melville

  10. #10
    Peter_pan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    virginia
    Hammock
    JRB BMBH
    Tarp
    JRB 11x10 Cat Tarp
    Insulation
    JRB UQ of season
    Posts
    2,850
    Images
    7
    When temperatures are cold I can make a good case for matched tops and bottoms....Although I often go lighter on the top in forcasts above 40*....Likewise I have see folks too light on the top be cold when the temps really do drop....

    Pan
    Ounces to Grams.

    www.jacksrbetter.com ... Largest supplier of camping quilts and under quilts...Home of the Original Nest Under Quilt, and Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock. 800 595 0413

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Which bottom insulation should I use?
      By fiveonomo in forum Bottom Insulation
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 04-09-2014, 21:30
    2. Can you over do bottom insulation?
      By William36 in forum Bottom Insulation
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 09-19-2013, 11:45
    3. No bottom insulation?
      By Atlas918 in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 05-21-2013, 08:52
    4. Replies: 10
      Last Post: 03-29-2012, 14:21
    5. How much bottom insulation?
      By linuxhack in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 06-30-2009, 08:34

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •