Recently I’ve been dramatically downsizing my backpack contents. I’m still by no stretch of the definition a gram weanie...but little by little I’m learning not to “pack my fears” (put all sorts of “what if” scenario items in my pack that never get used). To that end, my last few trips I took my partial length summer underquilt instead of my Wookie. Before this year I used my Wookie for everything from 70 degrees to 30 degrees...quite comfortably(!), but it IS admittedly way bigger in a stuff sack than my “handkerchief” light and little LL OS 50 degree UQ! Mind you, I’ve HAD the LL for years...used it extensively for day hangs during the shoulder seasons, but never was brave enough to rely on it for a hiking trip. Well, I see now how silly that was! It’s all I’ve taken my last two trips (lows in the 60’s) and been extremely comfortable. So, I decided last night it was time to do some “yard” testing to see just how low I can count on it keeping me warm. I slept like a rock last night, despite some occasional strong wind gusts. The alarm on my phone awoke me this morning, the wind still blowing and the temperature 48 degrees...the “feels like” temp was listed as 43. No cold spots, not once!
I AM a hot sleeper of late. Used to be a cold sleeper until Mother Nature readjusted my internal thermostat. And I’m short and favor sleeping in the fetal position, so maybe I get better coverage with a PLUQ than most would? But, for me, I know now I can (and will) only pack my teensy little LL OS 50 PLUQ any time the lows are expected to be 48 or above. I know I’ll be COMFORTABLE with it at 48!
Oh! I also used a 2QZQ UQP over the LL OS UQ. I’m sure that, along with my low pitched ThunderFly tarp, blocked much of the wind and added to the warmth. But, for me, that’s a fair test of the LL UQ’s performance since I will ALWAYS be using my UQP in the field and will always have a tarp on hand to deploy if needed. (I just spent too much on my down UQ’s to not protect them with an UQP...especially since I camp with large, fast moving, stick carrying dogs.)
I had my tarp battened down pretty low...
I used an Underquilt protector...
Pulling the underquilt protector aside, you can see my toasty sweet LL Operator Series UQ!
Here is the underquilt once I took it off my hammock...
The underquilt compresses surprisingly small!
Specs from Loco Libre site:
In this stuff sack is my LL OS UQ and my LL OS TQ and my Warbonnet down pillow...all three! (Next to a 24 oz Camelback for size reference.)
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