Do you have to have more than one top quilt?

**TrailSlug** · 02-07-2016, 15:45

Guys,
If I'm not going to be out in temps lower than 20 is there one top quilt that you could get by with for temps in the 20-70 degree range or should I buy more than one top quilt? These things aren't inexpensive so I'm trying to decide if I can get by with one, two, or will I need more. Just as a point of reference I have a 20° Warbonnet Lynx under quilt but I believe I can get by with that and simply let it hang loose as it gets warmer but then again I could be wrong on that as well.

**SilvrSurfr** · 02-07-2016, 15:56

I use my HG 20* Burrow (sewn footbox) 80% of the time - have even used it for overnight lows of 70* F.

I never vent my underquilt - never got too hot there. The only reason I have a 40* and 0* quilt set is that I like a 10* cushion between expected temps and my quilt's rating. For example, I recently went on a trip where the low was 16 or 17* F. Unfortunately, I took my 20* quilt set and my feet got cold.

Last week I went out and the lows were again 17* F, but I was smart and brought my 0* quilt set. My feet did not get cold.

**Nighthauk** · 02-07-2016, 16:44

If you will never see below 20* then I would probably just get a 20* tq with 1-2 extra oz. of fill and use that all year round. Unless you are a gram weenie the you could go for a 40* later on too.

**dkurfiss** · 02-07-2016, 16:53

What Nighthauk said but yes, I have more than 1 TQ.

Old Rag Mountain from JacksRBetter - 5 to 10F and this is the one I used the most since most of my camping is done spring, fall, winter. Not crazy about the heat, humidity, bugs of summer in VA
DIY which I would rate about to about 50 F. I use this over the humid summers assuming I use a TQ at all. Mostly in summer I have a silk bag liner that I use as a TQ when nights are not going to get below 65 which is June, July, August, and must of Sept where I live at.

**SpitballJedi** · 02-07-2016, 17:03

I currently use an older Mountain Hardwear 20* mummy bag as a TQ. Just by coincidence, it is cut almost exactly like hammock TQ's with a foot box.

It gets too hot around 60-65 and there is little I can do to get comfortable.

I'm looking at making a new TQ for the warmer weather using a Double Black Diamond Down Throw. They seem to be pretty popular for a cheap, light-weight, warmer weather alternative if you don't mind doing a little work. I've read there are some methods to convert it without a sewing machine, but I haven.t researched it enough yet. I will be buying a sewing machine.

Also, I've been told the Snugpak TQ is good for the warmer weather and I was told specifically by a couple different people that it was not too hot for the 50-70 range. It is heavier than expensive down TQ, but it sure is cheap in comparison.

Hope that helps.

**bkrgi** · 02-08-2016, 01:58

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

I use my HG 20* Burrow (sewn footbox) 80% of the time - have even used it for overnight lows of 70* F.

I never vent my underquilt - never got too hot there. The only reason I have a 40* and 0* quilt set is that I like a 10* cushion between expected temps and my quilt's rating. For example, I recently went on a trip where the low was 16 or 17* F. Unfortunately, I took my 20* quilt set and my feet got cold.

Last week I went out and the lows were again 17* F, but I was smart and brought my 0* quilt set. My feet did not get cold.

Agree fully with Silvr

The 20* set is my go to all the time but also like to keep the 10* buffer ...so...
The 0* set kicks in when the temps are headed below 30*
The 20* UQ I use from 30* till it's to warm for a UQ and will also use it below 10* or so doubled up with the 0* UQ
At 50* plus I switch to the 40* TQ

The 20* set can do a lot and covers most of the yr for me...the 0* set and 40 TQ are my specialty items

**Helium33** · 02-08-2016, 16:48

I have a 50 and 30 degree TQ. I use the 50 for the summer and the 30 for spring/fall.

**OneClick** · 02-08-2016, 16:51

I used my 20° the other night for a low of 50°...horrible! I don't know how anyone can do this more than once in a while. There's no "venting" a TQ. You're in the hammock, it's in the hammock. It's always touching at least a majority of your body and simply holds and pumps that body heat out like a furnace. Maybe I'm missing something, but I couldn't find a way to stay covered without getting too hot.

I now have a 0, 20 and 40.

**Other Guy** · 02-08-2016, 17:08

I have had the same problem with being too hot and the only solution I have found is to hang the TQ on the ridge line until I wake up cold and then pull it down to warm back up.