UQ for Belize?

[Sporkster]

Long time lurker, first time caller, er, poster.

I will be backpacking to Belize in the next few months, and the average overnight temperature is around 20-22° (68-71F). I am traveling super light, and don't have room for an underquilt in my rucksack. In fact, I hadn't even planned on it until reading a few posts here. Any other thoughts/ideas, or do you think that with warm clothes and a tarp (along with my sleeping bag as a TQ) will be enough? It's too chilly where I am to test it outside now.

[zukiguy]

If you ditch the sleeping "bag" and go with a TQ/UQ combo you'll be looking at approximately the same weight/bulk. If you're a particularly warm sleeper you'll probably be OK most of the time but if a storm or "cool" front rolls through you've got no room for error.

The other option is some thin foam for the shoulders/butt areas to help ward off CBS. You can also use these as sit pads so they're multi-purpose.

[johnspenn]

A summer-weight down set TQ/UQ would be very light and packable. No sleeping bag or extra night clothing needed.

[Rain Man]

Assuming you're not going to be at any elevation, another benefit of an UQ is to keep mosquitoes from biting you through the bottom of your hammock, which they can easily do without some barrier thickness.

[KBr00ks]

Sounds like a great trip! Post some pics if you can when you get back.

Bought my first hammock, Mayan style, in Belize and used it the rest of my trip there years ago...still mourn its loss.

But anyway, I will chime in on your question... you might just be fine with your sleeping bag. I have slept down to 60ºF or so comfortably with just a down bag, no pad. (Bag rated to 25º... I'm a cold sleeper.) But if you can swing it, a lightweight TQ/UQ combo won't take up more space, and will be much more comfortable.

[Sporkster]

Thanks! This will be my first hammock trip, and am looking forward to it.

[mudsocks]

Zukiguy and Rain Man summed it up well. My personal favorite summer UQ is Wilderness Logistics Summer Series torso length quilt. Provides warmth down to about 50 degrees and mosquito protection for your torso/upper legs. I lay my extra clothing under my lower legs and feet for warmth/mosquito protection. The SS UQ torso length compresses down to the size of a grape fruit.

[Dman62]

Tropical enviroment like Belize? I'd go with a 3/4 length synthetic UQ.

[Jedi hanger]

Yes I was concerned about the humidity as well. I am planning a trip to the Philippines and even during the dry season it is very humid. At the moment my plans are for synthetic top and under quilts.

[Scubahhh]

Depending on where you are going to be in Belize, watch out for sand flies!

Unless you're at high elevation some sort of very light liner should be fine underneath you, but you want something the little b@$+@*&s can't bite through!

I'd also suggest forgetting about down... even if you don't get rained on it'll get wet because it's wicked humid down there...