Going to try using two underquilts. Advice?

[lkmir]

Camping right before Halloween in what I expect will be 30s (or worse) at night.

I have a 40-degree full-length underquilt and a 20-degree shorter underquilt (both Hammock Gear).

Since it's car camping, I figure I'll try using both, with the full-length one directly under the hammock and the other quilt under that.

I expect cinching the top underquilt will be the most important; the one under it is to provide some supplemental toastiness.

What do y'all think? TIA

[HarveyM]

I'd do it the other way round on the theory (note not practice) that the 20 degree is the most important to get properly setup (a footbox or pad can work fo your feet), and the full length 40 degree is the supplemental insulation.

[Rolloff]

i stack x2 20 degree UQ's for cold weather. One is 2/3 length the other 3/4. The longest quilt should be first then the shorter of the two on the outside. Otherwise the shorter quilt will create an air pocket under your knees or backs of your legs. Much easier getting the adjustment correct. Just make sure the outside quilt doesn't compress the one above it. You shouldn't need to adjust the suspension much if at all, but the cinch adjustment on each end will need to be loosened slightly. Best done with someone loading the hammock for you.

[PopcornFool]

When I stack, I always stack my shortie outside my full-length regardless of the temp ratings between the two. I found that when I stacked my shortie inside, particularly my 20* which is thicker, the full-length quilt on the outside naturally hangs a couple of inches farther from the hammock. This causes an air gap from the point the shortie ends near my l mid-thigh and the the point at which the full-length finally cinches back up up near my calves.

See this crude sketch to get an idea of what I'm talking about:
air_gap.JPG

It's not much of a gap (I exaggerated the sketch), but it's enough to be uncomfortable. If I cinch up the outer full-length to get rid of the gap, it compresses the inner shortie too much and I lose the insulating benefits. With the shortie on the outside, the inner full-length is always completely against my hammock and I only need to cinch the shortie so that it's flush with the full-length. Both quilts remain at full fluff and I have no air gap.

There are a lot of factors that come in to play here. Quilts of different lengths and thicknesses will hang differently. The stretchiness of your hammock will have an impact as will the amount of sag you have. Where you sleep in relation to the quilts (e.g. closer to foot end or closer to head end) will also play a role. Your height in relation to the quilt length. etc. etc. There are probably a dozen variables that will all make a difference, so YMMV.

As someone so wisely suggested to me some time ago ... try it both ways and see what works for you.

[Shug]

This may give some insight. Stacking UQs is very effective.
Shug

[SilvrSurfr]

I stack the shorty on the outside - so I'll have a 0* full quilt and a 20* 3/4 on the outside. Works great for me.

[Phantom Grappler]

While experienced cold weather campers stack two under quilts, with both at full loft—
All my quilts are full length
I attach the 20* under quilt first, closest to hammock. It’s high enough to lift empty hammock a bit
Then I attach zero* under quilt second on out side of hammock.
I tighten up zero* under quilt suspension so that the 20* quilt is smushed or squeezed a bit.
20* quilt now does not have full loft, but still gives some insulation.

Now if there is an air gap anywhere in either quilt and particularly zero* quilt—the air gap is eliminated due to down feathers expanding in 20* quilt in exactly right places.

This works great in North Carolina, but would not be very effective in Minnie Soda. That’s how Jesse Ventura says Minnesota.

You know how come people from Wiscansin pronounce it the way I spelled it, without moving their lips?
Its because their lips are frozen.

True fact!

Don’t get me started on Carolina accents

[lkmir]

You sketch illustrates exactly how I was thinking - to put the longer quilt closest to the hammock, even though the shorter one is rated longer. Thanks.

[lkmir]

Thanks.
Having someone in the hammock would be helpful.
My backpacking pals are all ground dwellers, but maybe a short lie in my hammock while I tweak the quilts will help enlighten them!

[lkmir]

Thanks, Shug