How cold can I go? Cost/benefits of upgrading

[RackOps]

I made the switch to hammock camping just this summer, so I really don't have any experience with sleeping in anything other than hot weather while in a hammock. I'm not a deep winter hiker, but I do like to hike late in the fall and early in the spring. I hike mostly in Eastern KY and don't generally hike if I know it's going to be below freezing at night. Also, I am working on multi day hikes, so all weather protection (particularly rain) is a must for me.

My current setup is:
Dutchware hammock
Kelty Cosmic Down 20
Poncho Liner Under Quilt (PLUQ)
Kelty Noah 9 Tarp

Upgrades I am considering:
EE Revolution Quilt 20 degree
EE Under quilt
Warbonnet Superfly


So, I guess my questions are what improvement can I expect to see if I upgrade my set up and what should I expect my current gear to be able to do?

[Ted4bp]

You will gain some weight in your pack and lose some in your wallet in exchange for warmth and coverage.

[SilvrSurfr]

Well, the Warbonnet Superfly will be a huge improvement over the Kelty Noah 9, that's for sure. You'll have 4-season protection. My general rule of thumb with quilts is to have a 10* cushion over expected low temps, so if you get a 20* UQ and TQ, that should take you to 30* F. I don't know much about EE quilts (I use HG quilts), but as long as they're 20* rated, you should be good to 30* F.

[Otter1]

I find EE quilts to be great, and I think, unless you are a cold sleeper, that you will get close to 20deg.

I don't think you'll gain much weight, if any, either but I'm not gonna check specs.

[daneaustin3]

My oldest son uses that same kelty bag with a diy apex 5.0 under quilt and we go down to about 30 with no issues.

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[goobie]

I would upgrade your tarp first, get yourself better coverage and out of the heat robbing wind. Then get an UQ rated to the lowest temp you plan to encounter, underneath is where you need insulation the most. Since you say you don't go out if it's below freezing, a 30* should be just fine. Your bag will work almost as well as a TQ, so I would upgrade that last.

[FJRpilot]

So I would tell you that your in pretty good shape. I would consider adding a pad to your setup and layering that with you PLUQ. Together they will get you down into the 30's. There has been a lot of discussion on other forums of the benefit of layering insulation, maybe a smarter strategy....

I agree with the Surfer and goodie, I would spring for a tarp before anything else. A winter tarp with doors will get you both better protection in weather as well as something you can even use when it gets hot again. It will protect you from the wind which is the biggest robber of warmth when it starts getting cold...


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[RackOps]

Agree with the idea to upgrade the tarp first.

I hadn't really thought about wind, but I am just barely covered by it and am quite concerned about getting caught in a downpour and getting soaked.

They offer the Superfly in olive drab, but there is supposedly a camo version in the works that appeals very much to the little boy in me. I will probably hold out till it hits the market

[craigc]

I love my EE quilts. I have a 40degree enigma and 30degree 55" underquilt. I've taken them down to the upper twenties and been very comfortable wearing a merino wool baselayer. Both of my quilts are around 13-14 oz each so I'd imagine their combined weight is probably close to what you have in just your sleeping bag currently.

I do agree with most of the others here though I would upgrade the tarp first. For me the superfly would be excessive (but they're well loved) and I'd be happier with a smaller tarp and door kit for one side. Just be smart with your site selection and setup the door on the side that needs more protection. I used a Wilderness Logics Tadpole in this manner but I know warbonnet has similar options.

[Mobius_trip]

I used to have one of the older Kelty Cosmic Down 20 degree sleeping bags. I was cold in it twice in the high to mid 30's and I'm not a particularly cold sleeper. Maybe mine was just a lemon but I would be careful trusting one in below 40 degrees.