3 season ground sleeping: HG Burrow 20* or 40* w/overfill?

[dimjim]

I've never completely understood "overstuff" besides marketing. The baffles should be sized in H*W*L (cubic inches) appropriately to accommodate the fill weight (taking into consideration fill power). I suppose once could assume that the fill power ratings are slightly optimistic, in which case overfill might simply allow a margin for error. The other argument put forward is that over time down's loft will deteriorate slightly, and over-stuff can help compensate for this. While this may be true, taking good care of your gear and washing it in the appropriate manner should keep it like new.

This is all an uber long-winded way of saying that you should buy the 20 degree TQ. It should be more versatile and it lets you get out into nature for a larger percentage of the year. Paired with a decent pad and some sort of wind/rain protection, you should be set.

Welcome to HF, where we accept hammock hangers and ground dwellers alike

[dakotaross]

In SS's defense, I think it was a perfectly legitimate question. Sleeping on the ground IS different, though in your defense of asking, it ain't all that much different. Ordinarily I'd say, duh, the 20. But if you're truly a warm sleeper, and you do have a relatively warm pad (it ain't no downmat, though), you would probably get more use out of a 40.

I've got a regular (no overstuff) HG 40 UQ that I've taken down to 30, and I'm a cold sleeper, so I'd assume the TQ 40 w/overstuff might get you down to 25 with some comfort (no extra clothes, etc.).

p.s. definitely wide for the ground

[dakotaross]

I've never completely understood "overstuff" besides marketing. The baffles should be sized in H*W*L (cubic inches) appropriately to accommodate the fill weight (taking into consideration fill power). I suppose once could assume that the fill power ratings are slightly optimistic, in which case overfill might simply allow a margin for error. The other argument put forward is that over time down's loft will deteriorate slightly, and over-stuff can help compensate for this. While this may be true, taking good care of your gear and washing it in the appropriate manner should keep it like new.

There are threads on the subject and there are opinions for and against... many, including me, feel that the extra down assists with loft and reduces loss of trapped heat due to movement which means it gets warmer faster and stays that way a little better. HammockGear, like most cottage folks, already overstuff around 20% over the "formula", but anecdotal evidence is that a little more does improve performance. Too much and you get drape issues besides diminishing returns.

[wheresbrando]

Looks like the price difference between a 20* no overstuff and 40* 2oz overstuff is $22. I feel like that's pointing me to the 20*? I guess there's always a market for these if I get the 20* and it ends up being too warm.

By the by thanks everyone for the replies so far.

[lori]

as a half time ground sleeper, i find that my quilts work great either way. as long as you can tuck the quilt around you and you have adequate r rated pad beneath you. it takes a little to get used to it but i sleep well, waking up a couple times a night to switch sides.

my three season quilt is a JRB Hudson River and I have a HG 0 burrow.

[Wanderer4953]

I consider myself a warm sleeper and I went with the 40° TQ with 2oz of overstuff. I backpack and camp all year and the only time I've had to layer with some extra clothes was when the temps dipped to 25°F with a pretty stiff breeze. Weight was my primary reason for going with the TQ that I chose since I like to spend several days on the trail at a time and am planning on an AT true hike.

And on that note I would say that you would be happy with whichever quilt you choose.

[Oms]

Easy to hang a leg out for cooling. Go wide as suggested. Straps help when it's cool out.

[cataraftgirl]

When I'm rafting, I do use a tent & cot a fair amount. I use a thermarest and a HG 20 degree Burrow. Works great.

[Poedog]

I'd go with a 40* for 3 season use on the ground. I used a 20* bag on my transcontinental bicycle trip from Feb-May this year and sweat that bag out almost every night. And since you're from Chicago, I imagine you're pretty good at dealing with cooler temps. Hammock Gear quilts are rated fairly conservatively, so I think a 40 with overstuff would suit you just fine. In fact thats my 3 season quilt; for ground and hanging.

[lori]

I'm a half and half ground/hammock kind of hiker, defying all those who claim pain and suffering either way ( I really get grief for it).

I use a JRB Hudson River pretty much all the time, ground or hammock - two on the hammock, in fact, one under one over. Six years, no problems. Get the quilt that's adequate for your body size. Big beefy guys need more quilt, 5' 7" average BMI kinds of people can use any 50+" quilt and have enough to tuck in. And you need a pad of decent R value to go with it, if you'll get much below freezing on a regular basis.

LOL. I said the same thing twice in the same thread.... apparently I'm losing my memory....