Thoughts on Quilt Configuration.

[unconfirmed]

I'm spec-ing out a new top quilt (which will be my first and only for the time being), and would appreciate some feedback on my config.

Here's my current setup:
Left-lay Blackbird XLC with left-lay 20* wooki uq
I plan to mostly be a hammocker, but will occasionally need to go to ground when hiking at Philmont with some of my scout buddies.
5'9" tall
210 lbs on way to 185
Side sleeper
Cold sleeper

Proposed Top Quilt:
Loco Libre Ghost Pepper 20*
950 fp Goose down
Wide 55" - I'm 53" around the outside of my arms.
Long (80") -- (I'm thinking having some extra room for storage in the footbox might not be a bad thing for colder nights.
No taper
Pad attachments for the rare times I might want to go to ground.
Snap/Drawcord footbox.
2oz overstuff to make up for wide width.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[HoosierT]

Have you ever had a quilt without a sewn footbox? If you're a cold sleeper and you don't plan to use this 20 degree in the summer, then I would highly recommend a sewn footbox. My first quilt was a 20* EE Revelation and I found that I literally never opened the footbox, not once...The versatility seems great in theory but many find it unneeded in practice. The only thing I'll say to the contrary is if you ever think you'll want to open the quilt and drape it around you in camp. I always carry a UL down jacket so I never cared to do this but that could be one reason someone might want to lean towards a footbox that can be opened. Also, I'm 5'10" and once tried a long quilt and it was obnoxious. You want your feet to be down in the footbox, not partially in because you have something else stuffed in there. So with that said, you're going to have quilt bunched up in your face and it can be a problem with condensation. Those are my thoughts, YMMV.

[Red Wing]

I'm spec-ing out a new top quilt (which will be my first and only for the time being), and would appreciate some feedback on my config.

Here's my current setup:
Left-lay Blackbird XLC with left-lay 20* wooki uq
I plan to mostly be a hammocker, but will occasionally need to go to ground when hiking at Philmont with some of my scout buddies.
5'9" tall
210 lbs on way to 185
Side sleeper
Cold sleeper

Proposed Top Quilt:
Loco Libre Ghost Pepper 20*
950 fp Goose down
Wide 55" - I'm 53" around the outside of my arms.
Long (80") -- (I'm thinking having some extra room for storage in the footbox might not be a bad thing for colder nights.
No taper
Pad attachments for the rare times I might want to go to ground.
Snap/Drawcord footbox.
2oz overstuff to make up for wide width.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I'd get a standard length 20 and absolutely wide if you want to go to ground with it. I'd get 2oz extra down as well and sewn footbox. In hot months I just move my feet in and out the footbox. I've literally never used the open configuration. That's my one quilt quiver.

[reznix]

I have a 20* Ghost Pepper with 2oz overstuff, wide, 80", 5" taper, sewn foot box. I'm 5'11" and 200ish. I agonized for awhile over the different options and having used it quite a bit I absolutely love it. I've been warm at 10* with a light weight base layer. I would recommend the sewn foot box and a little overstuff. The 80" feels a little long to me at my almost 6'. I definitely think wide is the way to go for side sleeping coverage.

[Brooklyn]

I'd get a standard length 20 and absolutely wide if you want to go to ground with it. I'd get 2oz extra down as well and sewn footbox. In hot months I just move my feet in and out the footbox. I've literally never used the open configuration. That's my one quilt quiver.

I agree with this. Extra length just more to heat up and get breathed on.

[unconfirmed]

Thank you all for the suggestions.

HoosierT: This is my first quilt, ever.

The main reason I was leaning toward the open footbox is that I live in NE Texas, and do a lot of my camping in Western Ark. It's hot here a lot, starting usually by April and lasting until October. I've got a couple of CDT that I may use in early summer or perhaps just a sheet sewn from nylon during the blazing parts.

I will be doing a fair bit of outdoorsing in SW Colorado as well, and summer temp swings can be pretty wild from day to night up there. I thought the snap/drawcord footbox would give me more flexibility, but I'm open to options.

Does this affect your analysis on the footbox at all?

I know I may be trying to make a single quilt do too much, but at the moment, one is all I've got in the budget.

Thank you all again for the tips.

[SilvrSurfr]

+1 on sewn footbox. When I bought my first topquilt from HG, Adam asked me if I wanted a sewn footbox. For the life of me, I couldn't think of any reason why I wouldn't, unless I was going to use the topquilt around the house as a blankie for watching TV (and I wasn't).

So a snap/drawcord footbox holds no interest for me. If I need to vent, I pop my feet out of the footbox until I cool down a bit.

[wvumountaineer52]

+1 on sewn footbox. When I bought my first topquilt from HG, Adam asked me if I wanted a sewn footbox. For the life of me, I couldn't think of any reason why I wouldn't, unless I was going to use the topquilt around the house as a blankie for watching TV (and I wasn't).

So a snap/drawcord footbox holds no interest for me. If I need to vent, I pop my feet out of the footbox until I cool down a bit.

Agreed. I DIY to 50° synthetic quilt with a zipper and drawstring foot box. I’m yet to even unzip it or open it up. I find keeping my feet in the foot box keeps the quilt more “organized” on and around me. If get hot I just stick a foot out


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[Floridahanger]

My first DIY TQ was a draw cord footbox. Really cool to open it up in the house. All 3 times and never since. The rest of the time, it's annoying to accidently pull the loop or unsnap it with my foot.

Every other TQ since has had a sewn footbox. Will always stay with it.

[unconfirmed]

Thank you all for the info.

Based on all of your input, and that from George at Loco Libre, I went with the sewn footbox, and a 5" taper.

Ordered this morning. Now the waiting game begins.