UQ protector?

[MadMardigan]

How needed are these?

I have a HG Phoenix on order, and well, if it will protect it from damage while out, are they worth the price for insurance?

[Watertooner]

Absolutely, unless you can guarantee that your UQ will never be dampened by wind-blown fog/mist/rain/snow or splashed by mud when muddy boots/dog/children are in the vicinity. Another benefit of a UQP is additional protection from cold breezes that try to steal warmth. A well-fitted UQP will raise your interior temps a bit which is helpful when your outing might be pushing the temp ratings of your quilts. While UQPs can protect from "damage" damage, they mostly keep things warm, clean and dry.

[SilvrSurfr]

I never drank the Kool-Aid on UQPs. I'd rather have a 4-season tarp with doors. I have the HG Winter Palace, which is 8.6 ounces and I just can't see adding 5.4 ounces to that. If you can't keep your quilts dry using a 4-season tarp with doors, you probably need to learn how to set it up right! In other words, do porch mode or set it up high at your own risk.

On the other hand, if you already have a hex tarp or something else that doesn't provide 4-season coverage, and weight is no object, then a UQP might make sense. As for any additional warmth provided by a UQP, I believe in insulation for warmth, not a nylon or Argon UQP.

[TallPaul]

I’m in Charlotte and expect we visit some of the same areas.
I have and use an UQP on occasion but don’t see them as required.
I find them most useful when I’m camped on some high ridge and fairly exposed to the wind and/or a chance of rain. Say Grayson Highlands or up top on Grandfather Mountain. Of course you can avoid those ridgeline sites and pick someplace a bit more sheltered. That’s what I did last year when I hiked the Mountains to Sea trail for 20 days.
And yes I’ve even used it with a Superfly and been thankful to have the UQP. Must be I camp in some more exposed places than others.

[ofuros]

My tarp has minimal coverage/ low profile, so I use it in combination with a UQ protector.

I generally hang on along exposed ridges & summits....buffeted by wild winds...but the amazing sunsets & sunrises are worth it.

Do you need one, the answer is always going to be...yes & no. Hang your own hang & decide for yourself.

[sidneyhornblower]

After a night out in wind blown rain as shown in the video linked below, I decided that an underquilt protector would be a good investment. I ended up making my own, with help from jellyfish's excellent video and after borrowing one from HF member Clisbyclark to look at. Since I made it, I've been out once in a good rain and used it then. I've also been playing with it in the back yard on my bridge hammock to see if it helps boost the temperature rating of my underquilt by sealing out the wind. So far I've been pleased with it and don't regret the small monetary investment nor the large time investment spent in making it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDFahHLm9YQ&t=1s

[W8lkinUSA]

I've been lucky without an UQP so far. However, I've typically hung the tarp pretty low when it's raining.

Why not wait and see if you'd really need it? Staying well above the underquilt's limitation is advisable during discovery..

[TxAggie]

I tend to hang a little lower to the ground than a lot of people, so the UQP works well for me. If I were going true UL, then I would likely skip it. But since I’m not concerned by a few ounces I’ll typically take it, especially in wet weather (which the
East Coast has seen a LOT of this year).

[MadMardigan]

I tend to hang a little lower to the ground than a lot of people, so the UQP works well for me. If I were going true UL, then I would likely skip it. But since I’m not concerned by a few ounces I’ll typically take it, especially in wet weather (which the
East Coast has seen a LOT of this year).

Glad we are getting rain now, my mud was getting a little dehydrated.

I will be doing Linville and the mountains mainly, and Uwharrie.

[Shug]

My UQP is used on windy trips to keep the blasts of wind from stealing the warmth out of my UQ. I find it effective for that.
So I don't always use mine but it depends on weather and the tarp I choose to tote.
Shug