40* underquilt in 20* weather

[Trekcap'n]

I'm pretty new to hammock camping, I have 40* quilts and also a 20* underquilt. My question is; in 20* weather will a 20* UQ and 40* TQ be warm enough or do I need 20* TQ also?

[sr1355]

Depends on a lot of things, are you sleeping in just shorts or a light base layer or something heavier. Hydration and caloric intake will be important, you need fuel in the furnace to stay warm. Is you hammock open or does it have a bug net/over cover as these will both extend the range of the TQ. I've used our 40*TQs down to 18* w/ a 40* UQ but i certainly was feeling the cold at that point, 22* below rating. With a 20* UQ you will extend the range of the 40* TQ lower but 20* you may be feeling the cold creep in.... Question is how warm do you want to be???

[kayak karl]

extra clothes can help add to the TQ rating. they do not add to UQ because you compress them. it all depends on the person also.

[lilricky]

I always thought that having a 20 degree tq with a 20 degree uq was a bit of overkill for the top quilt. I've done a 15 degree difference and was perfectly warm with a 15 degree top quilt and a 0 degree underquilt on the AT in TN with a low of 4 degrees in early February. This was with just a light polypro baselayer. Although a 20 degree difference between the 2 is a bit of a stretch. I would go no more than 10-15 degree difference between your top quilt temp and the expectant low as long as your UQ's rating was lower than the actual low temperature.

[adkphoto]

I've gone down into the teens with a 40° TQ, but I was using a hammock with an overcover and wore some of my clothes to make up the difference. It can definitely be done if you're a fairly warm sleeper. But, if you're a cold sleeper, try it at home first.

David

[OneClick]

My lowest test in my 40° Incubator was around 30°. I was wearing Capilene 4 pants and top which are pretty thick. Two pairs of socks and a wool cap. Slept well all through the night.

I think another big factor is the range of temps. Gradually falling thru the 50s then 40s to a low of 30° at 7am with a quick warmup is much different than a high of 45° rapidly hitting 30°, with little warmup after sunrise. I'm sometimes hesitant to throw out "I got down to 30°" because of this.

[Rolloff]

With med base layers, wool socks, fleece hood, recently managed 27-29F, using 40* TQ and 20* 3/4 UQ. Down puffer under legs and feet.

I wasn't hot, wasn't cool, I was snug and comfortable. Over the next two nights as the temps rose slightly each evening, I was venting, lost the fleece hood for a hat.

Winds were low to moderate. First 2 nights Tarp down tight, the last left in porch mode.

You really have to see what works for you, and at what temp ranges. The vendors sounding in here have a good feel for what folks require in general, so that's always a safe reliable place to start. I'm pretty convinced their temp ratings on equipment across the board, for most, would be considered, conservatively stated.

And thank you for that!

[neo]

i got to in the mid 20's with my poncho liner under quilt.it was made by jacks r better like the nest years ago.i hung it under my hennessey hammock the packed it with clean freshly fallen leavesneo

[Trekcap'n]

Thanks for all the help! Greatly appreciated.i think I'm gunna give it a try close to home and see how it goes first.

[Deadphans]

This is an interesting thread. I never really thought about experimenting in this manner. I guess I have something else to do. ::sheesh::, the list grows!