Need help with an under quilt.

[SeekSolitude]

I decided to take the plunge and try a hammock on my BWCA trip next month. I've been mulling over the multitude of options and finally decided on the Eldorado (thanks Shug). But now UGQ, Loco Libre, EE, and HG are backed up so far that I won't get it in time for my trip on May 14th. My top quilt is a UGQ 850 fill and was planning on getting a similar quality under quilt. My UGQ topQ is a 20 degree, but I am sure that I can easily get by with a good, comfort rated 30 or 40 degree under quilt. Any suggestions for a quality alternative would be appreciated.

I have to decide on a tarp as well, but I think I have some options there.

[Canadark]

Given your tight time frame, I would be looking at a Trail Winder synthetic underquilt from Simply Light Designs. I'm assuming in the BWCA you are traveling by some sort of muscle-powered craft where weight/packability are not your top concerns. The synthetic UQ might not compress as well as a down one, but that probably won't be a concern for you. The better performance of synthetic insulation in damp/humid conditions might be an advantage in your situation as well.

[CLSR--000]

Not sure on ur preference for an underquilt but since you got the eldorado I think warbonnet has one or two wookies in their sale section.

[SeekSolitude]

Not sure on ur preference for an underquilt but since you got the eldorado I think warbonnet has one or two wookies in their sale section.

Do you know if they use comfort ratings? I noticed that the 20 degree wookie has the same amount of down as a 40 degree from UGQ or EE.

[SeekSolitude]

Given your tight time frame, I would be looking at a Trail Winder synthetic underquilt from Simply Light Designs. I'm assuming in the BWCA you are traveling by some sort of muscle-powered craft where weight/packability are not your top concerns. The synthetic UQ might not compress as well as a down one, but that probably won't be a concern for you. The better performance of synthetic insulation in damp/humid conditions might be an advantage in your situation as well.

I looked at those, but I am a backpacker also and really would like to stick to down for compression. I might go that way in a pinch though.

[rweb82]

I looked at those, but I am a backpacker also and really would like to stick to down for compression. I might go that way in a pinch though.

FWIW, the Trail Winder packs down incredibly well- due to the Climashield insulation only being placed in the area where your body lays. The more efficient use of insulation offsets the packability issue of Climashield. Most full-length down UQs (other than the Wooki) have insulation way up on the sides, where your body makes no contact with it. Even though down is more packable, if it is used over a much larger surface area, the packability of a 40° down quilt may not be any better than the 40° Trail Winder.

Now once you get into temp ratings below 30°, the compressibility of Climashield starts to become more of an issue. But again, the TW will always do better in this regard than other similarly-spec'd synthetic UQs.

[Sherlock]

Wooki is a good option from Warbonnet, and you may be able to get a custom one made in that timeframe. I’d contact them just to check on lead times, and to see if they have anything in stock that has been posted that might fit your needs.

[CLSR--000]

As for warbonnets ratings I would say my quilts from them perform down to or beyond their ratings. I tend to sleep a bit warm.

[TominMN]

The way the Wooki is made places the down in the needed places. 20 degrees is good number. I'd definitely want that in the BWCAW or QPP in May.

Just curious, what's your entry point?

[SeekSolitude]

The way the Wooki is made places the down in the needed places. 20 degrees is good number. I'd definitely want that in the BWCAW or QPP in May.

Just curious, what's your entry point?

Entering on Seagull and traveling up to Knife Lake. I was on Knife the first week of June last year and decided to try an earlier trip. About 95% of my 40+ trips up there have been Sept/Oct for the cooler weather and lack of bugs. The last two years I have been up the first week of June with temps in the 80's and 90's. I just hope the weather does not go from well above normal to well below, but either way it is a beautiful place to be while I wait for Canada to let me back in.