I'm am looking to do some long distance hiking (like the AT or PCT hike) and I'm sure I'm going to get caught in bad weather at some point. I'm not sure if I need to be looking at weather shields or if the DWR coating on the underquilt enough to get me through it.
During my 600 miler on the AT I never felt the need for an UQ weather shield. The only time my UQ became the least bit wet was during an extremely dense fog and even then it wasn't soaked through. I'm not sure if a weather shield would have helped or not. I don't feel it would have been worth carrying the extra weight for such a rare occasion with dubious results.
On the other hand, the top weather shield on the Papa Smurf Dangerbird was invaluable. It totally blocked the wind and raised the interior temps considerably. I can't sing it praises enough....really!
Miguel
They are not needed but they sure do block the wind from robbing the warmth out of your UQ and can boost your rating a bit.
On a thru...I too have wondered if I would tote one. 6 ounces but so good when needed.
Shug
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That is another feature I was thinking about.Originally Posted by Shug
If you have a tarp with doors, then I think you don't really need. Still helps, just not as much.
"I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
- Kate Chopin
I would consider bringing one as you can always ship it home if you find it unnecessary. I'm pretty sure a good tarp would be fine but I wonder if your UQ would start to get 'droopy' if faced with multiple days of rain and heavy mountain cloud bank.
It's all about priorities
They say it adds extra warmth, but I cant confirm that since I've never used one.
I just got a breathable UQP that I am happy with so far. I have not had the chance to use it in the rain yet but I am relying on my tarp for rain protection. My primary use for the UQP is protection from the wind. I tend to hang my tarps high because I like the feel of the wind and I like to see outside when laying in the hammock. I could definitely feel the difference with the wind being blocked against the UQP. One night is was in the low 20's and I did not put my tarp up and it was pretty windy out but my backside felt nice and warm with my 20* UQ.
As far as if it is a needed piece of gear for a long distance hike that will be up to you to determine if the weight is worth it. I may carry it during times near the ratings of my UQ or when bad weather is expected but I am not sure if I would carry it for a long distance hike the entire way but I tend to hike with as little weight as possible.
It depends. Few specific accessories are necessary for everyone, however they might be for an individual's system and conditions.
"There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us, And the Wild is calling, calling . . . let us go." -from "The Call of the Wild" by Robert Service
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My thoughts are a couple of things but it really depends.
If you are short, like me, and therefore hang close to the ground, then you will most likely want a UQP of some sort. I use mine 100% of the time for just that reason.
If you have minimal coverage from your tarp like I do with the HH stock tarp then you might want one. This really depends on site selection and the time you want to spend looking for a site to block rain and/or wind from robbing the heat from your down. I am usually not willing to spend much time picking out just the right sight so I use my UQP.
About the only time I don't use/take my UQP along is if there is no chance of wind or rain and it is not going below 80F at night. I also use my UQP for a bit of heat if I am carrying just a light UQ (like a small fleece one) like I do in the dead of summer.
It is a cheap/light piece of insurance in my book and if you decide it's not worth it, you can always mail it back to yourself in the middle of a distance hike.
Deb
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