full length vs 3/4 under quilt - which do you recommend?

**litetrek** · 09-11-2016, 19:22

I live in the Southeast and backpack in the spring fall and winter with an occasional summer trip. I currently have a 20 F jarbidge underquilt which is longer than a 3/4 and a little shorter than a full length quilt. I've been thinking of upgrading to a down 20 F under quilt and that has me considering the different options. The full length is nice because its just simple. No extra stuff to carry to insulate your feet, etc. But it is heavier, costs more, takes up more space in the pack, etc.

I always backpacked with a 3/4 length pad when I slept on the ground and was always fairly warm and happy with that option so a 3/4 underquilt may work fine for me .. don't know.

What do those of you who have owned both full and 3/4 length under quilts think about it and recommend?

**TrailSlug** · 09-11-2016, 19:33

I'm a full length quilt fan as I simply like one thing to hang and I like the added warmth. I have cold feet so the full length help with this as well. I also do not like the bulge/calf ridge that a 3/4 can create.

**johnspenn** · 09-11-2016, 19:37

I live just north of you in Marietta. I only have a full length UQ, but have used a PLUQ before which is a 3/4ish setup.

If you're going to get a down UQ, and you're only going to get one, and you're going to try to sleep out when it gets cold, personally I'd go with a full length, especially since you stated most of your trips will be in cooler weather.

I am considering getting a 3/4 lighter-weight quilt for summer. There were times this summer I went to sleep without any UQ on my hammock, but ended up getting up in the middle of the night to hang my 20* UQ even though it was in the upper 60s overnight. I just wanted something light underneath and a 3/3 length would have been fine.

**SilvrSurfr** · 09-11-2016, 19:44

I'm a hiker so I'm not going to carry a full-length quilt unless it's required. I have an HG 3/4 Phoenix 40 and 20, and a full length Incubator 0. Since I subscribe to the 10* buffer rule, my 20* Phoenix is only used down to 30* F. I don't use a pad in the footbox (sewn) because I'm not pushing the limits of my 3/4 Phoenix. Been there, done that, and it didn't work out for me.

Anything under 30* F, and I'm carrying my 0* full length Incubator.

**litetrek** · 09-11-2016, 19:56

Originally Posted by johnspenn

I live just north of you in Marietta. I only have a full length UQ, but have used a PLUQ before which is a 3/4ish setup.

If you're going to get a down UQ, and you're only going to get one, and you're going to try to sleep out when it gets cold, personally I'd go with a full length, especially since you stated most of your trips will be in cooler weather.

I am considering getting a 3/4 lighter-weight quilt for summer. There were times this summer I went to sleep without any UQ on my hammock, but ended up getting up in the middle of the night to hang my 20* UQ even though it was in the upper 60s overnight. I just wanted something light underneath and a 3/3 length would have been fine.

I'm in Marietta too! We should go hiking some time. I'm fond of the cohutta/jacks river area. I'm not in the greatest shape at the momemt but did a 5 mile out and back on the chatooga river about a month ago. I've done 30 mile 3 day weekend but that's pushing it for me. I have a tough time finding people who are close to my age (57) who are interested in going. I usually use a ccf foam pad in the summer.

**johnspenn** · 09-11-2016, 20:00

Originally Posted by litetrek

I'm in Marietta too! We should go hiking some time. I'm fond of the cohutta/jacks river area. I'm not in the greatest shape at the momemt but did a 5 mile out and back on the chatooga river about a month ago. I've done 30 mile 3 day weekend but that's pushing it for me. I have a tough time finding people who are close to my age (57) who are interested in going. I usually use a ccf foam pad in the summer.

My wife and I typically hike together. We've been up to the Cohuttas a couple of times, we love it there. I'm just a little younger than you at 49. We did a 30 mile stretch on the AT in three days, it was tough!

There are links in my signature to our blog, Facebook and Youtube pages if you're interested. Maybe we could get together for a conditioning hike at Kennesaw Mountain sometime.

**Treebird** · 09-11-2016, 20:06

I have a war bonnet yeti 20 degree that weighs less than a pound that I use 3 season's a year. It packs up small and is simple to set up. I only use a full length in the cold weather winter.

**goobie** · 09-11-2016, 20:30

How cold does winter get for you fellas in GA?? I would think a 3/4 would be fine in your neck of the woods.

Mid to upper teens above zero and I'm fine with a 3/4 and a sit pad in the footbox, which I always carry anyways. Below that and I use a full UQ, stacked with a 3/4 when it's way below zero.

**johnspenn** · 09-12-2016, 05:05

Originally Posted by goobie

How cold does winter get for you fellas in GA?? I would think a 3/4 would be fine in your neck of the woods.

Mid to upper teens above zero and I'm fine with a 3/4 and a sit pad in the footbox, which I always carry anyways. Below that and I use a full UQ, stacked with a 3/4 when it's way below zero.

It doesn't typically get very far below freezing except for the odd cold snap that might last a couple of days.

That said, I personally don't handle the cold very well when it does happen, partle because I'm a wuss, and partly because I don't have the right clothes and equipment. So I'm sticking with full length for those chilly Jawja nights!

**hutzelbein** · 09-12-2016, 05:11

So if I get it right, you're happy with your partial length synthetic underquilt and simply want to upgrade to down? If your short underquilt has served you well so far, I'd say get a down underquilt roughly the same size. Personally, I only use full-length underquilts because I sleep very cold and simply can't get comfortable with a partial length underquilt. But I would use a 3/4 underquilt if I could stay warm and if it meant saving weight and bulk.