Temp rating recomendations

[mountainfish]

Just got my Dream Hammock in and looking at top quilts and underquilts. What seems to be the general rule of thumb for what temp ratings to go with? I live in the mountains of VA and will be using it them probably year round but mostly spring through fall.

[TrailSlug]

If I were getting only one set of quilts they'd be a 20° set.
If you are going multiple sets then 0°, 20°, and 40° are the sets I would recommend.

[jtkratzer]

I went with 30* TQ and 20* UQ. I can add clothing or other means to stay warm, but we SEPA gets plenty of time throughout the winter where temps are in the 20s-30s. I didn’t want the bulk or weight anything heavier.

I still need to make some adjustments to how my UQ hangs, but I was out the last two nights with temps into the high 20s sleeping only in 230 weight merino wool and I was fine. Getting the UQ properly set will improve things.

[Lakerat]

Hammock insulation is another one of those things that varies from person to person. If you stay on the "hammock path", I doubt you will stay with just one set of TQ and UQ. You may want to see what you can start with and expand on that. For me, I started with a second hand JRB Greylock 3 (25-30* UQ) and a 20* sleeping bag on top. Now I rock 40* and 20* topquilts and the 30* and 0* underquilts. That keeps me comfy from summer to winter. I use them in different combos, but usually the have the warmer quilt on the bottom.

If you just want one set for spring thru fall, I agree with Trailslug on the 20* pair.

[cougarmeat]

I like to give a 10 degree cushion over the projected low temperature. But I also use things like under quilt protector (or sock if there is a lot of wind) and warmer jammies if I get close the the comfort edge. There are lots of factors, body weight, what you had for dinner, etc. so it's best to practice at home, if possible, to see how your setup matches the outside temperature. I sleep in a "courtyard" (sounds too elegant for what it is) area that has a roof over it. So it's sort of cheating because I'm not exposed to the night sky And of course this year we have a lot of snow to deal with.

If you have only one, I think a 20 degree set would be the most versatile.

[reznix]

i started with a 0* UQ and 20* TQ and then added a 40* set. The undererquilts are Wookies so they aren't as bulky as regular ones. I nest the TQ's when it gets to single digits or lower.

[Vanhalo]

East TN - 873ft elevation


Top

• 5-10° TQ
• 25-30° TQ
• 40° TQ
• Fleece Quilt Liner

Bottom

• 5-10° Partial UQ
• 40° Partial UQ
• UQP

*Red indicates my most common used items in the winter.

I supplement all of these with a UQP and a fleece quilt liner...adds 10° of warmth.

I always use the UQP and the fleece quilt liner from 10°-60°.