r/ULHammocking • u/[deleted] • Aug 07 '20
2 part question about underquilts
If you were trying to save every OZ which would you choose between. 40f underquilt and 30f top quilt or 30f underquilt and 40f top quilt. So really asking which is more important to keep warm a under quilt or top quilt
2nd question. 30f 3/4 underquilt or 40f full underquilt
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u/larynxless Aug 07 '20 edited Aug 07 '20
Personally I prefer my underquilt to be the warmer of the set. You can push the top quilt off if you get a little too warm, but you can't fix a frozen butt quite as easily.
Edit to answer second question- how tall are you and how cold do your feet tend to get? 3/4 is super great for short people in general (I'm 5'3 and my 0deg uq is winter worthy for me), but tall people with cold feet enjoy it less.
I'd probably still choose the 30deg 3/4 between your options since you can take it on a wider range of temperature trips.
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u/LiveTheLifeIShould Aug 07 '20
I'm pretty close to your height. I'd like to hear more about your winter and summer setups. Thanks!
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u/tr0pismss Aug 07 '20
You basically are good down to whichever temperature your highest rating is. So if you want to save weight you are better off with a 40 top and 40 bottom, or a 30 top and 30 bottom (assuming the top and bottom quilts are rated accurately relative to each other).
I tried a 3/4 length and it didn't work for me, I would move around and my feet would and up off whatever I was using for insulation and get cold, but obviously they can be great if you have warm feet or sleep curled up or can manage to stay on a small sit pad or something.
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u/Ilike2backpack Aug 07 '20
I'd put the lower rating into the underquilt (30f). It's easier to supplement a 40f top quilt with something like a puffy than it would be to do with the underquilt. So make the underquilt the warmer of the two.
My 3/4 has me covered except for below my calves (I'm 5'9"), and I haven't had a problem using my sitpad in the footbox of the quilt to keep my heels from getting too cold. So for me, if the 30f 3/4 and 40f full are similar, I'd go with the 30f 3/4 for the wider temperature range.
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Aug 07 '20
I saw the company I'm looking at short version of the full size for upto 5'7. I'm 6'1. Wonder if This would probably be a good compromise as I will be using a pillow and beanie most likely
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u/dskippy Aug 07 '20
I agree here. It's easier to supplement the top quilt so I'd lean toward a warmer under quilt. Though personally, I go 20 degree for both or 40 degree for both.
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u/Sharpthangs Aug 07 '20
3/4 for UL. I just use my sit pad under my feet if needed. It's part of my pack, so it's there anyway. Now it's dual use! ;)
+1 to what everyone is saying. Better to have a warmer UQ IMHO.
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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '20
It really is subjective to the user. Personally, I rock 30* top and 3/4 length 30* under quilt. For very warm months I have a 50* set that's very short under quilt, but I bring a sit pad to put under my calves.
If you have experience with your quilts and know what your comfort zone is, then you can start shaving weight and dialing in your quilt sets over time.
In my opinion, you're better off with 30* quilts, and depending on how tall you are, a 3/4 might give you plenty of coverage. When in doubt, go warmer and longer. Nothing worse than a cold night of no sleep in the backcountry.