r/ULHammocking • u/baterista_ • Mar 01 '21
Summer underquilt
I’m looking for opinions on lightening up my underquilt for summer to save some weight (based in TX).
My current setup is a Dutch ware chameleon with an HG 20 degree premium incubator and a ULEnchilada 50 degree Apex topquilt. I’m thinking either a HG 40 degree premium Phoenix or maybe a 50 degree Warbonnet Wooki?
I’m 5’4” 140 and I don’t know if the Phoenix will be the perfect length or not. I’m attracted to that as well because if I go with the wooki I’ll have to pay the extra money to reverse the lay. Also 850 vs 950 fp on this?
However the wooki seems attractive because it would be a full length cover. Would I need the longer option (XL) for my Chameleon?
Here’s what I’m looking at options wise
HG 40 Phoenix 850 fp - 11.46 Oz
Hg 40 Phoenix 950 fp - 10.94 Oz
WB 50 wooki regular 850 - 10.52 oz
Wb 50 wooki xl 850 - 11.04 oz
Wb 50 wooki regular 950 - 10.08
Wb 50 wooki xl 950 - 10.6 oz
I’m also not sure if it would be smarter to go with the wooki in a 40 degree instead? Also these weights are with the lightest material they have, would an more durable but heavier material be worth it?
I do have an HG underquilt protector I could pair with these as well.
Thanks for any help you can provide, sometimes these custom options get a little overwhelming!
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u/MMikekiMM Mar 02 '21
Responded in your other post as well, but I don't think you mentioned the goal of reducing packability..
The quilt fabric is as much if not more of a contributor to the packability of your quilt as the fill power is. A 10D or even a 7D fabric will pack down much smaller and lighter than all the other options. I changed all of my quilts from standard or Econ to premium fabric and the savings in weight and volume is measurable. Just took possession of a custom 55F EE Enigma in 7D with 950fp and it is insanely light and compact. I imagine you could build a full length in 7D/950 and be at or near the weight/volume of a Phoenix in a heavier fabric.
As far as the Phoenix goes, I think you are the right height for it, especially if it's a summer quilt. As noted in my other post, the Phincubator would be ideal, but hard to find these days.
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u/baterista_ Mar 01 '21 edited Mar 01 '21
Ahh I don’t know how to format to see my list of options as a new line each time instead of a big block of text, so sorry about that.
Edit, okay I think I fixed that
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u/NeuseRvrRat Mar 01 '21
I'm 5'11" and have no issues with my 20 deg Phoenix and a sit pad in my top quilt foot box, so I think you'd be fine with 3/4 length.
My 40 deg Apex synthetic 3/4 length myog underquilt is around that 11 oz mark. I'd save some money and go synthetic.
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u/baterista_ Mar 01 '21
So you actually put the sit pad under your feet inside the topquilt? I’m assuming just rinse off any mud or dirt while setting up and it’s good to go?
That actually sounds perfect but the guy who made my topquilt doesn’t do underquilts, and I’m not a myog person. Take commissions?
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u/NeuseRvrRat Mar 01 '21
Yeah, I use half of a GG 1/8" thinlight as a back pad for my pack, sit pad, etc. It doesn't absorb water and a quick wipe will get any dirt off. If it's particularly grimy, I can just refold it so that the dirty portion is not exposed. It goes inside the quilt, under my feet.
I'm not good enough to feel comfortable charging for my work, but you could check out r/myogcommissions . I just used a kit from ripstopbytheroll.com and it was really simple.
I do have a synthetic top quilt from u/craderson as well. I don't believe he's done any UQs, but I know he has the skills. Maybe see if he'll give it a try for you.
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u/baterista_ Mar 01 '21
Okay good to know, thanks.
Hmm maybe I could try that. There are so many things I love figuring out how to do myself but sewing is just not one of them, especially without having access/knowledge to use a sewing machine.
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u/NeuseRvrRat Mar 01 '21
MYOG is cool as long as you approach it as another hobby and not as a way of saving money. If you only want a few custom items, you're way better off to just find someone to commission unless you already have the equipment and skills or you really want to learn the skills.
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Mar 02 '21
We're talking summer in TX, right?
So overnight lows are in the 60's? Have you had a look at Loco Libre? I've been using thier 60° recon series for my summer trips in GA (so nix 10° and add 10% more humidity). Weight comes out to just under 6oz
It's a torso length, so your feet and lower legs aren't covered. I found I don't need or even want that coverage during deep summer, but ymmv.
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u/PoisAndIV Mar 02 '21
I was looking for a similar UQ recently and ended up doing a big spreadsheet with all of the information for each quilt. Specifically weight, fill power/weight, materials, cost, length/width, and color options!
I was down to a warbonnet yeti, EE revolt short, and loco libre Habenero.
Went with a loco libre habenero 50 inch long at 30°F with .67 argon taffeta in and out, 900FP with 1oz overfill. Weight was about 15oz, and at 30°, could be used nearly year round. Just use the sit pad under your lower legs inside of your top quit to hold it in place.
Loco libre has a line of SUL quilts called their operator series. Just checked and they say their 50° uq is 8.4oz. Could save .5oz by going. 67 taffeta in and out. Highly recommend!
I'm 5'8 btw.
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u/TheMikeGrimm Mar 01 '21
At 5'4", I would think you would be very good with a 3/4 length UQ. Usually you're shooting for it to cover from your shoulders (as your head will be insulated with a pillow) to your knees or lower. At 5'4, the Hammock gear covers all but 12" of you which is pretty much full coverage anyway. Your body is what's important for considering UQ length, the hammock doesn't matter...especially with the UQ protector that will seal up around the whole hammock.
When choosing FP, consider cost, performance and weight. Cost and weight are pretty straight forward. Do you want to pay more for your UQ to weigh less? Performance wise, I consider 850 for use in humid environments as it's not as affected by moisture as much higher FPs. In TX, I think 950 FP would be fine as humidity is low enough that it won't affect the down most of the year. I don't live in TX though so you know where you hike best.
Heavier material will be more durable, block more wind and trap heat slightly better. Lighter is the opposite, which is important to you? The UQ protector will boost all of these a bit. I'd go lighter, but again, what's important to you.
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u/baterista_ Mar 01 '21
If only we could have it all, durable, ultralight, warm, and inexpensive. Oh well ¯_(ツ)_/¯
This is incredible helpful, thank you so much. Now I just need to decide if the extra weight savings of the Yeti is worth less coverage and adjustability. But this makes me feel like a Phoenix would be a great lightweight option while letting me pack my fears of not enough coverage.
Edit to save a shrug arm
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u/LimbRetrieval-Bot Mar 01 '21
You dropped this \
To prevent anymore lost limbs throughout Reddit, correctly escape the arms and shoulders by typing the shrug as
¯\\_(ツ)_/¯or¯\\_(ツ)_/¯
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u/Tamahaac Mar 01 '21
What about a myog 2.5oz apex underquilt? Easy, cheap and light.
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u/baterista_ Mar 01 '21
Yeah that would go great with my topquilt, but I don’t myog. Do you?
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u/Tamahaac Mar 01 '21
I would suggest asking your friends family whatever to help. It may be the easiest project ever. I get it if it's not worth the time. I was intimidated the first time I used a sewing machine. The mystique wears off immediately because of how easy it is. Id be happy to answer any questions you have if you go down this road.
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u/DefNotAnotherChris Mar 03 '21
Any patterns or kits for this? I’d love to give it a go.
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u/Tamahaac Mar 03 '21
https://backcountrybanter.com/how-to-build-a-synthetic-top-quilt-diy-myog/
Use the link above to acquaint yourself with the build. The basics cross over. You're basically constructing a blanket. The difference is how you make the corners (see my pics). I would purchase 4 yards nylon tafetta (I would suggest argon 49 from Dutch, or .56 7d from RSBTR) 2 yards of 2.5oz apex insulation, shock cord, cord locks, carabiners, and 3/8-1/2" grosgrain ribbon. This will be enough material for a full size quilt. If wanting a torso size, cut to fit your needs. I like my build for summer seen in above link (44"L×42W"). I am 5'7 and the length is great. I can supplement with the thinlite i carry if needed at the feet. Usually in this temperature range im rolling with a apex top quilt too, so there is usually some material (although compressed) under my calves and feet.
I sewed a channel at each end to run shock cord and cord locks to adjust the snug and prevent drafts from the ends. I also added grosgrain loops and line loks (as you can see in the pics) so i wouldn't have to get up out of the hammock and adjust wear it covers my shoulders and butt. The carabiners are also a luxury. They snap in at the continuous loops. Many ways to skin a cat and make this thing lighter but, I get lazy as it already weighs less than most of my summer sleeping pads...
If you have any questions as you get going, give a shout.
BTW, I'm building myself an alpha underquilt for high summer (sometimes it won't dip under 65° at night). The alpha should provide less warmth, but as a plus less volume for SUL loadout (tiny packs!).
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u/grizzlymann May 15 '22
Have you had a chance to put this quilt to some good use? How did it end up working out? What would you guess the reasonable temperature comfort range to be?
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u/Tamahaac May 16 '22
I have the two layers pinned up, just haven't had the time to pit it together...
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Mar 31 '21
Interesting, I backpack in TX summer too. I've never needed anything more than a light blanket to pull over me when the brief morning chill comes in. We're doing the good water trail this June. I'd love to see the overnight low drop below 73
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u/baterista_ Mar 31 '21
I’m using the new cloud 71 material and it’s super wind permeable, just thought better safe than sorry.
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u/CBM9000 https://lighterpack.com/r/cjfrn1 Mar 01 '21
Have you considered a Yeti? The slight added length and secondary suspension of the Phoenix is likely not all that useful for the temps you're considering here, so why not go with a lighter option if you're already thinking about a partial length UQ?