I have yet to use a quilt so I can't really chime in on that, however I have an REI Radiant 20F bag and it has always kept me very warm even down to 15F. And as they say, if it isn't broken, don't fix it.
I have yet to use a quilt so I can't really chime in on that, however I have an REI Radiant 20F bag and it has always kept me very warm even down to 15F. And as they say, if it isn't broken, don't fix it.
Holy cow!! I just had a revelatory moment... I can't believe I didn't realize it sooner... you mean to tell me y'all use these top quilts INSTEAD if a sleeping bag? And all this time I thought a top quilt was like a top cover that you crazy yank's use in ADDITION to a sleeping bag when you're camping in that frozen white stuff. Oh man, I gotta look in to this more seriously now... if I could lose the sleeping bag and the associated bunny hop or 5 minute wrestling match to get comfy... WOW! I'm such an uber-noob, I swear...
"Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. ... To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow." - Robert M. Pirsig
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I'm really struggling with my sleeping bag in my hammock, but I'm going to continue to TRY to use it for a while before looking at top quilts. I hope.
Just acquired my first set of quilts (top and under) from UGQ in December, 2013, and just acquired my first hammock (WWBB) in November, 2013. Had only used a sleeping bag and tent prior. I've slept in my hammock with my quilts a dozen times or so, so far, and can honestly say I will never go back to a tent/sleeping bag as a first choice.
Truth is, I've never really liked the restrictiveness I feel when using sleeping bags. Whenever I would go car camping, I would always bring blankets along, limiting my sleeping bag for backpacking use only. Now, any future car camping using a tent and I'll bringing my quilts instead; that is, of course, only when I can't hang : )
I have a friend with whom I backpack often and he loves his tight, small, mummy bag...the tighter he can seal himself up the more he likes it...to each his own.
I'm really trying hard to talk myself into trying a top quilt. I have no problem with my sleeping bag, but when it gets warmer at night, maybe around 45-50° for a low, it's overkill. I think it would be great to cut some bulk too.
The problem is, my sleeping bag hood makes the BEST pillow. So with a top quilt I will lose this. I don't want to pack a pillow separate. And extra clothes NEVER works for me as a pillow.
I also find my sleeping bag eliminates any calf ridge issues, so that's something I'll need to test first-hand.
I just received $100 as a gift from my company, so that would put a nice dent in the cost of a new TQ.
I guess I can try it and sell it here for close to the purchase price...trying to decide...
I have three great sleeping bags and zero quilts. Sleeping bags win!
Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.
John Muir
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