TQ/UQ warmth rating question

[bearito]

Generally speaking, using both a TQ and UQ is it more important to have a warmer TQ or a warmer UQ if you had to pick between the two? Assuming you want to be warm.

[hangerdave]

As long as my backside is warm all good for for me, I think Underquilt is very important to get right, you can always add warmth to a tq, i am but a beginner really compared to most of these guys on here, more replies will follow for sure from guys much more qualified then me

Dave

[GilligansWorld]

Generally speaking, using both a TQ and UQ is it more important to have a warmer TQ or a warmer UQ if you had to pick between the two? Assuming you want to be warm.

Respectfully I think your question is wrong. I believe you are asking of the 2 - TQ and UQ - which is more vital to keeping you warm.

Answer is both. IMHO a good 3 season set up is 20* (that is a matching set of 20*'s) and a good entry into 4 season is 0*.

I have taken a 20* UQ and a 0* sleeping bag down to single digits and was ok. Ok is uncomfortable but certainly would be doable just mosty miserable.

These are ratings only - If it says 20* you will be "ok" at that temp just as in my example above. Of all the things to skimp on don't skimp on insulation. Buy the hammock that's a little bit heavier but cheaper, buy a cheaper tarp, buy cheaper boots, but don't ever skimp on insulation.

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[bearito]

Thank you for your replies. To clarify, I have a 20* and a 40* quilt that could function as either TQ or UQ.

[OneClick]

UQ covers your back, wraps around the sides of you, is not compressed, cannot be easily supplemented like a TQ, and your backside will likely catch more wind. So you want to get it right.

I often use a 30° UQ and 40° TQ combo.

[bearito]

Alright that makes sense, thanks again. I can always supplement if the temperature is iffy.

[MAD777]

Warmer bottom quilt. You can always throw extra clothing on top of you to supplement your top quilt. Any clothing you lay directly on will be crushed, thereby rendered ineffective for insulation.

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[cougarmeat]

UQ is more important to me. I try to use a quilt that is rated at least 10 degrees warming than the expected temperature. Under normal conditions, I’d match them. If I need to go lighter, I’d take a lighter TQ. If there would be an unusually cold night for the given season. I’d take a warmer UQ.

[Fisc]

Under quilt seems more important. Its easier to throw on some extra clothes or add a fleece liner, but it's hard to make your under quilt warmer. I suppose you can add a pad, but I typically am not going to be packing a pad in addition to a quilt, but I'll have a fleece or puffy with me to supplement.

[bonsaihiker]

For me in a GE hammock, UQ rating is more of the issue. Lie in a hammock without one when it is cool or cold out and it becomes clear where you need the most insulation. There have been many times where I've needed only a UQ to be comfortable, at least for the first half of the night. I think this is due partially to compression underneath, partially to the larger surface area covered by the UQ as compared to the TQ, and partially to the wind- blocking duty of the UQ. However, as the nights warm up, the UQ rating needs to be much higher for me or I get too hot.

A bridge, on the other hand, is different, at least in my experience. I listened to the advice of others when I bought my WBRR years ago and got a 0⁰ Lynx for even summer use. The advice was that you lie on top of the bridge UQ-- it doesn't wrap around you like a GE UQ-- so it can be a cooler rating and still be comfortable. If you think about it, must people don't typically change their bed mattress when temps change. This has worked well for me in my RR but I'll still use a CC pad in the DL sleeve instead of the UQ when it's really warm out.

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