r/hammockcamping • u/Ill-Yellow-4060 • 2d ago
Underquilt thoughts
I current use a 20° hammock gear underquilt stacked with a 40° wooki when temps drop below 30. I’m a very cold sleeper and always need more layers to stay warm. Should I stick with that set up or invest in a 0° underquilt? If I go with one underquilt, do I get a hammock gear or a wooki? I live in the northeast and love winter camping but my pack seems to be filled with more down than anything else. I’m out of space in my pack.
2
u/kullulu 2d ago
For my fellow cold sleepers, I can't recommend integrated underquilt hammocks enough. Depending on your height, dutchware's hellbender and quilted chameleon or superior gear's performance and elite hammocks might be right for you.
I wrote a lengthy review of my experiences with quilted hammocks here.
If you prefer to keep your hammock and your underquilt separate, I really love the warbonnet ecosystem. You can even get a scandinavian rated underquilt (comfort rated at -10F) with up to 3 oz of overfill. I would strongly consider their underquilt protector as well, it's a great design.
1
u/Ill-Yellow-4060 2d ago
I’ve thought about getting a hellbender but then realized just how comfortable I am in my 10’ Original Blackbird. I love the side shelf and the foot pocket.
2
u/Trewarin 2d ago
I went from a BB and symmetrical UQ on normal suspension to an insulated hammock.
I love the built in insulation but miss my shelf and the comfort of the BB. I'll be going back to an XLC and getting a wookie, from all accounts it's a fiddle free as an insulated hammock.
If you're not already, take a warm water nalgene to bed and use an UQ protector
1
1
u/Pilgrim-2022 2d ago
I have the long OG Blackbird. When, or more like if, it goes I will think about something else.
1
u/TheKindestJackAss 2d ago
If you're looking to try and save some money but possibly add some weight. Would you be interested in a sleeping bag liner to help during those colder trips?
0
u/Ill-Yellow-4060 2d ago
Probably no to a bag liner. I have a 0° top quilt and can wear my down pants and jacket if I need more warmth. A bag liner would probably end up twisted around me and drive me crazy. It’s more the air coming up from below that I need to protect myself from. I’m definitely in the lightweight category of backpacking and don’t like to add any weight that isn’t going to be a substantial benefit. I’m 5’3 and not quite 110lbs so keeping my pack weight as low as possible without freezing my ass off is very important. I’ve been down to -4° in my hammock but I also was pulling a pulk sled so I was able to bring every ounce of down I owned.
1
u/TheKindestJackAss 2d ago
Have you considered boiling water in a nalgene and wrapping it with a sock or a shirt to sleep with?
1
1
u/kaelsnail 2d ago
I twist and turn a lot, I've had a sea to summit liner which I don't recommend but I love my jacks r better alpha direct liners. Especially the 120 wt yellow one. It's warm enough for a summer time top quilt and works great in the hammock with sleeping bag or quilts.
1
u/ChupasDeezBallz 2d ago
Personally, & I have a 20° and a 0°, I would go for the 0° but from Under Ground Quilts Outdoors Zeppelin - but they are a weee pricey $350 or there about
1
u/Ill-Yellow-4060 2d ago
Why would you recommend the UGQ over hammock gear, wooki or another brand?
2
u/ChupasDeezBallz 2d ago edited 2d ago
Can’t speak for Wooki as I have no experience.
My Number One was George’s Loco Libre Reaper at 20° but alas I had to sell as I had too much gear
As far as Hammock Gear vs UGQ I had (sold it after I wasn’t happy) Hammock Gear Incubator UQ when they first began making them with no wait shipping. 20° - wasn’t as warm as my 20° Zeppelin at the time and I felt it wasn’t strung with Hearty Shock cord. Compared to the Zeppelin it looked “cheapish” considering what you shell out. UGQ fit the bill AND my customer service experience with both goes hands down to UGQ. Here are my two quilt unboxing’s if you care to see them straight out of the box;
1
u/unreqistered 2d ago
are you warm enough with the stack? could an extra pair of socks or a pad under your but change the equation?
or, let’s be honest … you want to buy another quilt
it’s ok … i just dropped a grand on gear i already have
1
u/Ill-Yellow-4060 2d ago
I’m warm enough with the stack but hate having to deal with 3 quilts.
And…I’m having a tough time finding gear to buy that I actually need. There’s some withdrawals happening. Do I need a 0° under quilt? No. Someone help me justify moving the 0° from the want list to the needs list. 😂
1
u/Pat_MacCrotch 2d ago edited 2d ago
If you want an 0F underquilt that's lighter and packs smaller, look for quilts stuffed with 950+fp down, that are made from 10D or lighter fabric.
Hammock Gear and many other hammock companies have unfortunately stopped carrying high fp down, and the standard is now 850. I know that the UGQ Zeppelin and the Cirrus from Teton Hammocks are available in 950, but I can't personally speak to their quality or warmth, so make sure you ask questions before ordering from them, the first being "are your quilt temp ratings 'comfort' or 'lower limit'?"
You should be seeing a total weight somewhere between 20 and 26oz for a 950 0F, depending on the length you need. Both of the above are offered in various lengths. Given that you're 110lbs, you're probably small enough that you could save significant size and weight by choosing a short length. The 66" Zeppelin might be perfect for you.
Someone in thread also mentioned the Hellbender hammock from Dutchware. He uses 1000fp which will pack down very small, and I've heard the asym cut of that particular hammock is extremely comfortable. Speaking from my own experience, even for a shorter person comfortable in a 10' hammock, upgrading to an 11' can be quite an improvement in comfort. It might be worth reconsidering if you're truly running out of space.
1
u/Ill-Yellow-4060 2d ago
I was bummed when HG stopped offering anything higher than 850 fp. My 20 & 0° HG top quilts and 20° underquilt are all 900fp with an extra ounce or 2 added insulation. I thought about the Hellbender but put that to rest because I sleep so comfortably in my 10’ blackbird. I’d love to find someone near me that has one so I can try it for a night.
2
u/Spirited-Cup9480 1d ago
All of my Hammock Gear quilts are 850FP. I just couldn't see spending the extra money for a few ounces. But I will say I have been very happy with them. I've been stacking my 20 degree Hearth with an REI Quilt, which was quite comfy with my 20 degree quilt this weekend in the Berkshires. However, I plan on getting the 0 degree Hearth. My pack was just busting.
I just got a winter cover, so we will see if that changes anything as well.
1
u/hill8570 2d ago
If you're out of pack space, two UQs have more weight and space wasted on cloth than a single UQ. The HG Incubator is a nice design -- the draft collars keep the ends sealed better than your basic cinch. If you're feeling lucky, you can go with 7D cloth for even more weight/space savings.
1
u/Ajonesss71 1d ago
A pack of hot hands may be the easiest solution for you.
1
u/Spirited-Cup9480 1d ago
But you do have to be careful about falling asleep with them. Ask me how I know. Although a lap warmer between an folded GG 1/8" foam mat and second underquilt was OK.
1
u/Ajonesss71 1d ago
I've slept with them in my sleeping bag for years and have never had any negative results. What happened to you? I'm somewhat concerned now. I stick them on my feet and chest.
1
u/Spirited-Cup9480 20h ago
I got some very mild burns on my legs. Now I wrap them in something before I use them. Haven't had an issue since. For my feet, I down sock and put them between the socks. Also the Hot Hands seem to the be hottest. Just my experience.
1
u/Ajonesss71 17h ago
Interesting, I've noticed that they can be overwhelming on bare skin like my palms but I've also only ever put them in my hands on bare skin like that. Otherwise it's been outside of a layer of some sort.
1
u/Mobile_Job_591 1d ago
I bought the grand trunk. It’s a hammock already wrapped in a 20°F sleeping bag. I used it in 32° night and brought one of my old setup top quilt and was toasty. Highly recommend it. It only weights 4lb 2oz. My old setup weighed 16 pounds.
5
u/latherdome 2d ago edited 2d ago
Well if pack space is limiting factor, yes a 0° Wooki will beat a stack of others. Nothing wrong with HG especially if you don’t want to commit to a diagonal. If you’re fine with one diagonal, Wooki layout is most weight and volume efficient.
I’m not super cold sensitive (thank you, all showers finishing full cold until I breathe easy) but have been warm in a 20° Wooki at 15°F (no wind). And now that WB overstuffs by default, they might perform better than my older one. A 20° might be enough, if perhaps the HG isn’t enough for you due to drafty fit: Wooki is great in the “seal” department IME.
Consider pairing with their Gen3 UQP that doubles as a catch-all sack so whole system stays as one piece, no disassembly to pack. I think UQP punches above its weight in additional down in any wind, extending the low end a bit.