Top Quilt for AT thru hike

**bartlax4** · 07-13-2016, 11:39

My quilts are built to be used equally on both the ground and in a hammock, mainly due to the shock cord side system I use to keep the quilt hugged around you no matter where you sleep. There are videos explaining my designs here with two videos devoted to the shockcord sides:

http://www.mid-atlanticmountainworks.com/videos.html

I also recently got in some 800 FP Duck Down. This is not yet on the website, but will soon be offered as an option to reduce the costs of the quilts. Feel free to email if you want to discuss that pricing.

**Palindrome** · 07-27-2016, 16:16

Hey, I just returned from completing the AT starting in early March using a TQ mainly on the ground. I used a HG Burrow 20 LongWide. I am a very cold sleeper and needed extra layers to keep warm in anything under 40F. What I did to get through the coldest sections was to carry a summer sleeping bag in addition to the TQ. It was like a double layer human burrito. If you are a normal or warm sleeper, you may be able to get thru the AT with just one quilt. In warmer weather, the TQ, even rated at 20F worked really well because I was able to kick it off until the colder air settled in.

**theotherbrady** · 09-24-2016, 10:35

Do you think a 20 would be good? That seems warm to me.

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**WalksIn2Trees** · 09-24-2016, 11:26

Regarding temp rating, I'm sure you've planned the route and time line to plan your food and gear? so pick key points along your route and check the record temps for those locations in the time period that your plan puts you there. Then prep for it to be 10° (minimum) colder than that so your covered if mother nature throws a curve ball.

If you don't have a favorite website for looking up weather records, I use Weather Underground. Their desktop (not mobile) site let's you check weather history such as average temperature for a particular day, or lowest low, or highest high, average precipitation, humidity, etc

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**theotherbrady** · 09-24-2016, 11:34

Originally Posted by WalksIn2Trees

Regarding temp rating, I'm sure you've planned the route and time line to plan your food and gear? so pick key points along your route and check the record temps for those locations in the time period that your plan puts you there. Then prep for it to be 10° (minimum) colder than that so your covered if mother nature throws a curve ball.

If you don't have a favorite website for looking up weather records, I use Weather Underground. Their desktop (not mobile) site let's you check weather history such as average temperature for a particular day, or lowest low, or highest high, average precipitation, humidity, etc

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Thank you. That's helpful.

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**Dos** · 09-24-2016, 11:39

I through hiked the AT with a 20 degree down Marmot bag that I converted to a quilt.
Cut off zippers. Sew that line.
Cut off hood. Sew that line.

I sent it back home for like a week. I asked for it back ASAP.

I would recommend a 20 degree quilt.

I later found a much lighter one on Enlightened Equipment in the bargain bin.
Half the price of a Z packs.

.02

**theotherbrady** · 09-24-2016, 11:43

Originally Posted by Dos

I through hiked the AT with a 20 degree down Marmot bag that I converted to a quilt.
Cut off zippers. Sew that line.
Cut off hood. Sew that line.

I sent it back home for like a week. I asked for it back ASAP.

I would recommend a 20 degree quilt.

I later found a much lighter one on Enlightened Equipment in the bargain bin.
Half the price of a Z packs.

.02

What's a bargain bin?

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**Dos** · 09-24-2016, 11:49

Originally Posted by theotherbrady

What's a bargain bin?

Last time I was on the site, it had a tab for "bargain bin".
Someone had sent a custom quilt back and they put it in the bargain bin.
I just didn't have a color choice.

**theotherbrady** · 09-24-2016, 12:03

Originally Posted by Dos

Last time I was on the site, it had a tab for "bargain bin".
Someone had sent a custom quilt back and they put it in the bargain bin.
I just didn't have a color choice.

That makes sense. I think a twenty is probably a good bet for the quilt. If I get too warm I could stick a leg out or something.

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**Afterparty** · 09-24-2016, 13:10

I went with a 30* TQ but the recommended is by far 20* I am planning a 2018 thru. After April 1 lows average in the 40s but it can be colder for sure in GA assuming you heading nb.