Leaving the UQ home?

**bberms21** · 07-09-2023, 05:25

At what tempteould you even consider going no UQ? It’s been really hot here and I have a 5 nighter coming up. Thinking of just bringing the UQ protector but I’ve never risked it before.

**cmoulder** · 07-09-2023, 05:48

Once my metabolism slows down to sleeping level, I find that my backside gets cool even at 75°F.

But that's me, and this is a very individual, subjective matter. For a 5-night trip I'd take a quilt. This is why it's nice to have a very minimalist shortie quilt for even the warmest weather. Something like Loco Libre Operator that weighs about 8oz and stuffs down very small.

Many years back, August of 1981 to be precise, a buddy and I took a trip to Shining Rock Wilderness and I took only a cheap polyester blanket and a tarp because, well, it was August. Nearly froze my a$$ off and did not do that again. It gets a lot cooler at higher elevation.

**Eclectic** · 07-09-2023, 06:05

It is better to have it and not need it than to not have it and get a terrible night of sleep because you did need it.

Remember, a pop up thunderstorm can chill the air considerably.

In the summers here in GA, I often start out with the UQ beside my hammock. That way, when the temperature cools down, it is ready to deploy.

**TominMN** · 07-09-2023, 06:10

To quote one of the oft-used lines here: You're gonna die!

Seriously, any time it's in the lower 70s or lower at night, you're going to want something. Warm nights, no problem. The UQP can help a bit and it can keep the bugs at bay.

Worst case, I imagine, would be a bit of discomfort.

But then again, an UQ just doesn't weigh that much...

And ditto the above comments.

**Otter1** · 07-09-2023, 08:50

Originally Posted by cmoulder

Once my metabolism slows down to sleeping level, I find that my backside gets cool even at 75°F.

But that's me, and this is a very individual, subjective matter. For a 5-night trip I'd take a quilt. This is why it's nice to have a very minimalist shortie quilt for even the warmest weather. Something like Loco Libre Operator that weighs about 8oz and stuffs down very small.

Many years back, August of 1981 to be precise, a buddy and I took a trip to Shining Rock Wilderness and I took only a cheap polyester blanket and a tarp because, well, it was August. Nearly froze my a$$ off and did not do that again. It gets a lot cooler at higher elevation.

My experience is similar. Take the uq.

**rhjanes** · 07-09-2023, 12:41

Originally Posted by cmoulder

Once my metabolism slows down to sleeping level, I find that my backside gets cool even at 75°F.

But that's me, and this is a very individual, subjective matter. For a 5-night trip I'd take a quilt. This is why it's nice to have a very minimalist shortie quilt for even the warmest weather. Something like Loco Libre Operator that weighs about 8oz and stuffs down very small.

Many years back, August of 1981 to be precise, a buddy and I took a trip to Shining Rock Wilderness and I took only a cheap polyester blanket and a tarp because, well, it was August. Nearly froze my a$$ off and did not do that again. It gets a lot cooler at higher elevation.

Same! Early in my hammock experiences, a buddy and I were on a river doing a multi-day canoe trip. It was 80 degrees when we turned in 30 minutes after dark (9 or 10 PM) but we were camped within 50 yards of the river. I drifted off to sleep, only to awaken about an hour later with CBS. The temp was about 74. Then I had to find the headlight, get out of the hammock, find the pack, get the UQ out, deploy, water a tree while I was up, get back in....and drift off again while telling my self that I'd solved the problem, relax, sleep. When the birds started singing about 45 minutes before sun-up, I was nice and snug and my thermometer was 68 degrees. Over the night, I'd stuck my feet out of the UQ and pulled it down to mid-chest.
Since then I deploy the UQ. I use the TQ to regulate. I occasionally will vent the UQ a bit.

**cougarmeat** · 07-09-2023, 13:26

When I was starting out, I used a Hennessy Expedition with my "ground" Therm-a-rest 3/4 Guide pad, and a UQP. It worked fine during the summer and gave me a Go-To-Ground option. There are other lightweight options, like ReflexIt, that could work in some locations with summer temperatures. But a ¾ length summer weight UQ doesn't weigh very much and is not very bulky.

A lot of trails were hiked and a lot of summits were reached before the Church of Ray Jardine was founded.

Here's my rig for hiking the PCT (1974) - plenty of room for a UQ (had I known about them)
paulsPack.jpg

**peeeeetey** · 07-09-2023, 14:27

I do not enjoy a cold butt or cold shoulders so therefore I have a light uq just for these times. I make my light ones but rely on the experts to make the heavy duty stuff for colder nights. I use 1 inch Climashield or Apex whatever is cheapest and buy cheap fabric so I can make one for less than 100$. I have made one from a 5$ fleece blanket.

**Tpatter** · 07-09-2023, 15:51

Originally Posted by bberms21

At what tempteould you even consider going no UQ? It’s been really hot here and I have a 5 nighter coming up. Thinking of just bringing the UQ protector but I’ve never risked it before.

My summer quilt weighs less than a pound, so I’d never go without it. When the wind picks up, the quilt really keeps you comfortable even when it’s warm. Of course, you can always just push it to the side when it’s u comfortably hot, although I’ve never found that necessary once 5e sun goes down.

Best of luck. Maybe chance it wothjsut the cover, but I’ve never regretted having my UQ.