Hammock Newbie, Bottom Quilt Info

[JohnnyBigChair]

I will heading out next month to Dolly Sods, but this year will be with my new hammock setup. I am a first time hanger and would like any insight I can get. I purchased a Sparrow Dream Hammock (love it!) as well as a 40 degree (2 oz overfill added) top quilt from Hammock Gear. I do not like using my pad in the hammock, so I am just going to jump on a bottom quilt. Now I know everyone sleeps differently, but I am torn between a 20 degree and a 40 degree. I will be hiking in spring, summer, and fall weather (lows at 30-60) and my Sparrow hammock is a 4 season enclosed/bug net hammock...So, would a 20 degree under quilt be over kill? Also worth noting that my top quilt is snaps (didn't really enjoy sleeping in my tent mummy bag).

[mrbomb]

First of all, welcome to the forum!

I don't think that the 20 degree UQ would be much overkill at all, it will provide you a few extra degrees on the cold nights and you can just open up the ends to vent a little on the warmer nights if you find it to be too warm.

[dakotaross]

Do I think 20 is overkill, no. But if lowest lows are truly 30s, then I'd get the 40 with the same 2oz extra fill to match your TQ.

p.s. a 3-season, $100 Jarbridge from Arrowhead-Equipment.com would be an excellent budget choice if that's a consideration; I have both HG and the Jarbridge, like'm both.

[calpal]

I just moved from Pittsburgh, so most of my hiking has been around PA including several trips to the Dolly Sods. I think if you already have the 40 TQ, it probably makes sense to match to that for now. When making these decisions, I have found it most helpful to think about what months I go hiking in throughout the year and the respective low temps. For example, I can typically use a 40* quilt late April through early October hiking around Pittsburgh. Assuming that I will always leave a 5-10* cushion between the rating and expected low. Thinking about it this way, a 40* quilt will cover a large majority of my trips.

I use this site for weather averages: http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate...tates/uspa3601

I would rather have less bulk 9/10 trips, and maybe need a TQ liner or Gossamer Gear 1/8th inch thinlight pad for an untimely Fall coldspell.

[JohnnyBigChair]

Extremely helpful responses. Thank you all.

[bamudd]

I'm also a new hanger, but I've been finding that I get cold from the bottom up when I do in a hammock. I'm tending to err on the side of warmer UQ than TQ.