Pushing the low end

**JasonACraft** · 10-12-2016, 07:10

I've stayed out decently cold before, 21 with my 20* 3/4 UQ, and 24 with just reflectix and a sleeping bag. This winter I'm looking to up my game some but I'm not buying a new UQ. I know all this seems like old hat, but I'm looking for anyone else that's done it: I'd like to supplement my uq with either a pad (I have an insulated klymt v) or reflectix so I can go lower. I've also a vented winter sock from Dutch and a 10* tq from EE on the way.

In my past lows the only cold spots I had were gaps in my diy tq being to small, so hopefully I've got that....covered. And i'm all on board with the staying warm tricks, just really trying to estimate if my bottom supplementation will sabotage me or not. January - February and MI isn't that far away.

Thanks,
Jason

**TominMN** · 10-12-2016, 07:49

The pad is definitely going to provide more r-value than the bubble wrap.

**OneClick** · 10-12-2016, 08:00

Jason, everytime I used a pad to supplement I got more condensation that I wanted to deal with. It could just be me or the weather, but not something I wanted to chance so I gave up on it. It's worth a try, but I'd do it in your backyard or somewhere you can bail if necessary.

**Carrico** · 10-12-2016, 10:05

That sock will probably up your temp about 10 degrees, and you might try a pair of heavier weight thermals. Thermals are how I mitigate the temperature difference in the summer and winter where I live. Summertime lightweight or no thermalS, winter time I wear the Midweight military issue ECW thermal. Of course here on the northwest coast it very seldomly gets below 30.

**zukiguy** · 10-12-2016, 10:27

Pads act like a vapor barrier so it gets tricky to prevent condensation. Keeping them on the "warm" side of your insulation system helps (closer to the heat source, you). The overall temperature and dew point factors in too. I added a silnylon UQP to my setup a few years ago in temps hovering just below freezing. In the morning my quilt was damp and there was a puddle in the protector. I slept OK for one night but ended up with wet down.

In my bridge I'll sometimes use a sleeping bag with a foam or thin inflatable pad zipped up inside with me. This works pretty well and has managed to keep the condensation down. I've considered making a sleeve from an old fleece blanket as kind of a "diaper" to absorb the condensation that I can dry out later. I'm not so sure how that will work out for a multi-day trip though.

**OneClick** · 10-12-2016, 10:48

Originally Posted by zukiguy

I added a silnylon UQP to my setup a few years ago in temps hovering just below freezing. In the morning my quilt was damp and there was a puddle in the protector. I slept OK for one night but ended up with wet down..

WOW! I had the same thing happen and never heard anyone say the same thing. I figured it was the rain getting in somehow, because there was literally a 1/2cup at least. Supposed to be breathable. Craziest thing I've seen. That was my first and last time - I ditched the protector after that.

**OutandBack** · 10-12-2016, 11:00

Originally Posted by markr6

WOW! I had the same thing happen and never heard anyone say the same thing. I figured it was the rain getting in somehow, because there was literally a 1/2cup at least. Supposed to be breathable. Craziest thing I've seen. That was my first and last time - I ditched the protector after that.

silnylon UQP's are not breathable. Mark could your puddle have been from dew?

**OneClick** · 10-12-2016, 11:03

Originally Posted by OutandBack

silnylon UQP's are not breathable. Mark could your puddle have been from dew?

I don't remember the exact fabric, but it was one of the popular ones here and specifically labeled "breathable". Snow on the ground and mild for winter (about 30-38° the whole time). Maybe that could have been a factor.

**zukiguy** · 10-12-2016, 12:14

Yes....that was the silnylon version (non-breathable). I sold it to another member and got the regular ripstop or calendered fabric (breathable) version. I haven't had a problem since. In certain conditions I'm sure the sil version will work fine but in a really humid environment just at or below freezing it acted like a big still....condensing every drop of moisture I was putting out and trapping it beneath my quilt.

**Grinder** · 10-12-2016, 16:15

SGT Rock criss-crossed two pads for winter comfort in Michigan. I think there are pictures on his web page. I found it http://hikinghq.net/hammock/wing_pad.html