View Full Version : Just ordered the Potomac Underquilt
NCPatrick
07-19-2006, 16:15
I just ordered the Potomac (Kickass!) Underquilt in Camo/Black (of course!), and my wife gave me the "this had better be it for a while" lecture. :rolleyes:
I sleep cold, and during my last camping trip I got tired of messing with a pad in my HH for weather that's not even cold. I checked out the Nest and No Sniveler, but my budget just could NOT stretch that far. The Shenandoah quilt wouldn't take me to the lowest temps I would require (around 30-35 degrees, below that I'm staying home), but the price was right.
I'm hoping to be able to go on some fall/winter trips this year. Can't wait to try this underquilt.
PS. I checked out the http://www.kickassquilts.com make it yourself section, but it would cost me much agony and stress to make one, and most likely end up costing me more $$ given the many mistakes I'd make. I truly respect anyone who can make their own stuff.
TN_Hiker
07-19-2006, 16:46
How do you go about adjusting the underquilt? It seems to me to much slack or too little slack will both create cold spots. Is this just a trail and error type of thing? Seems to be a major pain to get in and out of the hammock everytime just to tweak the underquilt. What am I missing here?
Thanks
NCPatrick
07-19-2006, 16:55
Obviously don't know yet, but I would imagine that once you figure out how to get it right, it'll be easier to get it right again the next time.
Just Jeff
07-19-2006, 16:58
Once you get it adjusted when you first put it on, it pretty much stays adjusted when you get in and out. You just push the elastic aside and it pops right back into place. Same on the JRB and the KAQ. Pretty easy.
NCPatrick
07-19-2006, 17:22
Once you get it adjusted when you first put it on, it pretty much stays adjusted when you get in and out. You just push the elastic aside and it pops right back into place. Same on the JRB and the KAQ. Pretty easy.
Jeff, (or anyone) is there a way to add duff (or extra clothing, a pad, or etc.) in between a quilt and hammock for extra warmth if temps fall much more than you expected? (would the elastics be strong enough to hold it or would that just create gaps?). I guess you'd be wearing the extra clothing at that point, huh?
Just Jeff
07-19-2006, 17:34
Probably better to just wear it, I’d guess. You can put stuff between the underquilt and hammock, but this can cause the underquilt to sag away from the hammock unless it’s very light. So you tighten the underquilt...which compresses the insulation at that point and creates air gaps beside it since whatever you’re putting under there doesn’t fit all the way around the hammock.
I tried putting a sleeping bag and a jacket between my underquilt and hammock, and between the JRB Weather Shield and the hammock, and it didn’t work so well.
There may be ways to make it work, though. I know some folks have tried putting pads between the quilt and hammock...I haven't done that. Seems like it would create air gaps, and would be less efficient than just bringing the pad inside the hammock.
I ordered mine a few weeks ago in the same colors. My was also skeptical also but I have come to understand she may never get it like I do. Congrats on the purchase. I can't wait to get mine and its not even cold yet.
My wife is skeptical also
NCPatrick
07-19-2006, 21:53
Thanks Jeff, I think I'll just wait and see how it all works before I start trying to work anything out beforehand.
I just received notice that my order will take 3-4 weeks. For a hand-made item, that's just fine with me. The wait will allow me to practice the art of having patience.
Jazilla, yours should be here soon then, right? You should post a review once you've gotten it all settled in.
Cheers.
The wait is what's killing me. I was never a good waiter. Luckily my wife is out of town and I have been getting things done around the house so I don't have time to think about it much. Its amazing what I can get done when she isn't there.
Sorry, guys. I'd have written sooner, but I've been sewing :)
I'm doing all I can to keep up right now, but things are unusally busy at the old "real" job right now, too. I'm cranking along in the wee hours, though, and trying to get the boxes out the door as fast as I can. Don't be afraid to write to spur me on.
I've had to adjust my underquilt only minimally. I usually just set everything a little snug before getting in and that works well. All attachment is elastic, which is pretty forgiving. It's not at all a "ooh, another quarter inch to the right" kind of thing. After you've hung it a couple times and gotten a feel for it, you really won't even think about it. The worst case is that you'll have to get out and tighten or loosen something.
NCPatrick
07-20-2006, 19:26
__________________
www.KickassQuilts.com (http://www.kickassquilts.com/) - Now with complete Make Your Own instructions
Oh great. Now I have to make my own instructions? :p
Thanks Patrick!
Hey Patrick, don't work too hard. I know when I get it I get it. Don't overwork yourself. I have been there working two jobs from 7am to 11 or 12am. It sucks.
Oh great. Now I have to make my own instructions? :p
Thanks Patrick!
NCPatrick, you got your quilt?
NCPatrick
08-29-2006, 09:46
Yes I did! I'm very happy with it. Thanks for asking.
I took it to Lake James State Park for a 2 night trip last weekend. Temps got down to the low 60's, and I slept only under a light fleece blanket. That first night I did get a little bit cold right before dawn, I didn't wear enough layers though (cotton T-shirt, Long camp pants). Of course the first night I couldn't sleep very well due to the rampaging herd of raccoons that caroused my camp most of the night (and stole a bag of peanuts out of my cooler). The second night I wore a long sleeve DriFit shirt, and a fleece vest, and was much warmer. I've been researching the Ray-Way quilts, but cannot sew. Any ideas about how I can get one made?
I had the Potomac set for warm weather, not in cold mode, and I could have cinched it up a little better. Lessons were learned! How about yours, did you get yours yet?
Pictures of my trip, with hammock setup: http://picasaweb.google.com/brownpatri/LakeJamesTrip/ (http://picasaweb.google.com/brownpatri/LakeJamesTrip/)
Just Jeff
08-29-2006, 12:11
Those are some great pics, NCPatrick! I love lakes in the early morning. Thanks for posting.
NCPatrick - the berries in the photo are false soloman's seal IMO - see http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MARAR&photoID=smra_5v.jpg
NCPatrick
08-29-2006, 13:18
NCPatrick - the berries in the photo are false soloman's seal IMO - see http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MARAR&photoID=smra_5v.jpg
Thank you. I knew one of you could tell me what that was. I see from this info that the berries are not edible.
Just Jeff
08-29-2006, 13:26
General rule of thumb I heard - 90% of black berries are edible, 50% of red berries are edible, 10% of white berries are edible. All aggregate berries are edible - bunch of smaller berries in one cluster, like a blackberry or raspberry.
Not that this has anything to do with an underquilt...
NCPatrick
08-29-2006, 15:30
Ok then, back to the underquilt related non-berry discussion questions- Newby type questions, since I'm still learning all this. Get ready to rrrramble.....
I've always assumed that I just sleep cold. I've been trying to sleep with very little gear, because less is best, right? I see reviews from folks that can sleep in much colder temps with seemingly little gear. I'm thinking a Ray-Way type quilt would really help, but would it help at my back, which is where I get coldest?
Generally, without the underquilt I would use in the hammock:
a blue CCF pad from Target (ugh!)
Fleece sleeping bag, Target special
Camping pillow
With the underquilt, I'm trying to:
lose the pad (gone. Yay),
lose some of the layering,
use a single cover (get out of being stuck in a bag),
Be warm at lower temps.
Be on average fairly warm, instead of experiencing the extremes.
Fit more of my gear in my pack. (novice backpacker).
I sleep in a long sleeve, DriFit shirt, a wicking sleeveless shirt layer, and a fleece vest, Long wicking pants (running pants), and socks.
Problem is, temps are just not that cold. I get cool as soon as it gets below 70F. With the underquilt, I can be comfortable down to the lower 60's, but then start getting cool.
Generally I wake up and add layers as it cools outside. Coldest always just before dawn. I start with my sleeping bag zipped all the way up, but folded back on itself. Then as I get cold, I put feet in, then over time pull the bag up and up until I'm completely covered. Hot when I start out, Cold in the early morning. Not a lot of uninterrupted sleep. Fight claustrophobia when there's too much stuff on me.
The underquilt is great, and is keeping me much warmer (and MUCH more comfortable) than the blue pad, when I've adjusted it correctly. Anything just jump out at you that I can try to be warmer? Maybe I just need more time with the underquilt, making those adjustments.
My thoughts are to:
Lower the tarp, as if for a storm.
Not use the HH tie-outs
Rig underquilt for cold weather.
Ray-Way quilt or JRB Nest (which btw is way too expensive for my leftover budget at the moment, what's up with that? :( ). I'm thinking of hiring a seamstress to make me a Ray-Way from the kit. It would still be cheaper. I'm not knocking the down quilts, just can't afford one. And I suppose I'm just jealous of those so flush with cash to spend on one :D.
Jeff, I've read your website many times already on how to stay warm. Great site, btw.
Sorry to ramble on and on. Any help appreciated.
NCPatrick,
Wow, you really do sleep cold.
For me, until around 50, I find I can sleep with just about anything hung under me. I sold my personal Potomac to a customer in a hurry a long while back and have been using my original thin prototype this summer with no problem (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10035&highlight=north+face+underquilt).
It's equivalent to about one layer of 3D and just clips to the ends and the side tie-outs. With that I use my Ray-Way quilt and sleep in just shorts. I was out this past weekend and was only using the top quilt because I can't sleep without anything on me. Temps were 80s during the day and 50-60 at night (my thermometer crapped out).
Be sure that there are no gaps between the underquilt and the hammock bottom. That will really kill you. While you don't want it so tight that it's compressing the insulation, I've found that this is almost never a problem and it's better to err on the side of too snug than not snug enough. Because of the elastic perimeter and attachment, you should have plenty of leeway with this.
Those are really great pictures. I love camping near water. Is that one of neo's famous camo tarps? I keep almost ordering one.
Good info on the berries :)
NCPatrick
08-29-2006, 17:07
Patrick, thanks so much for a kick ass Kickassquilts quilt! I'm really enjoying using it. Very easy to set up, and I sleep so much more comfortably now.
I'll try cinching everything up a couple of notches then, (there must be a gap there at my back) and keep experimenting throughout the fall. No better way to learn...
I was hoping very much for dinosaurs. I made sure to open the box with one of my kids in the room. Pulled them out one by one to raucous laughter. They have now named all the dinosaurs and are having fun playing with them.
Yes, that's one of Neo's camo tarps. Sportsman's Guide should give him a commission for how many he has sold. (or at least give him a signed and dated picture of Hillary in her camo skivvies :rolleyes: ) Actually, he may be working for them for all I know.
I'm looking forward to reading about your trip last weekend as well.
Just Jeff
08-29-2006, 18:25
Be sure that there are no gaps between the underquilt and the hammock bottom.
That's what I was gonna say. If that quilt doesn't keep you toasty at 60 F, I'd bet a steak dinner you have air gaps under there. If it's not that, maybe you're just a freak! :D
Seriously, fit is everything with underquilts so practice some more - and tying the side tie-outs higher or lower also affects underquilt fit. Play around with it, and it helps if you have a friend who can stand outside the hammock and feel for gaps when you first adjust. After getting it right a few times you should be able to do it easily.
NCPatrick
08-30-2006, 11:01
Thanks Jeff (and Patrick). Looking back at the photos, I can see very well where a gap might be where my back would go. I'm betting that was the issue. In leiu of having a friend feeling under me for gaps, I may opt instead to have my wife do it. ;)
NCPatrick
09-03-2006, 20:53
Update: Success!
I just camped out in the backyard last night, lows in the low 60's, and I was able to sleep comfortably in just running pants and cotton T-shirt with only a blanket over me. Cinching up the elastics to eliminate gaps was the key.
nchiker467
09-20-2006, 18:23
this has convinced me to get the KAQ . tight budget so no jrb nest. i was looking at the ray way quilts also, and i having no sewing skills was also wondering about sum1 sewing it for me.
NCPatrick
09-20-2006, 22:04
tight budget so no jrb nest. i was looking at the ray way quilts also, and i having no sewing skills was also wondering about sum1 sewing it for me.
I still haven't been contacted by any volunteers to make a Ray-Way quilt... so I'm still thinking about the seamstress option when my budget allows for a kit...
My Mom has borrowed her friend's sewing machine so I might be able to use it and make one myself, given some time (ok, LOTS of time) and practice, and luck.
Good luck with yours.
nchiker467
09-21-2006, 15:52
yeah if i do get a kit ill try to find a seamstress to sew it for me, or maybe ill just save for a jrb no sniveller. but $240 for a quilt would kill me and my wallet, lol
Got my KAQ like a week ago and got to test it over the weekend. It was well worth the wait.
OOpps forgot to post pics
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=13007&c=577
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=13008&c=577
FanaticFringer
09-26-2006, 17:33
Sweet Pics!!!!!
I wonder if Patrick ever thought of making a KATQ (sounds like a radio station) Kick Ass Top Quilt. Oh I came up with the idea now you have to name it after me.
NCPatrick
09-27-2006, 22:57
That's a great idea. I'd sure be interested in one assuming the price was right...
Great pics of your setup, btw.
Just Jeff
09-28-2006, 01:02
Jazilla's KATQ - I like it.
blackbishop351
09-28-2006, 01:21
Check this out, guys!
My very own homemade KATQ! And it's even Camo!!
Ramble~On
09-28-2006, 05:42
I made some modifications to a poncho liner (military quilt) but mine doesn't have a built in warmer/cuddle device like the one in the post above.
Blackbishop, is that a ponch liner. Do you use it like a blanket or have you done some alterations to it?
blackbishop351
10-03-2006, 23:20
Blackbishop, is that a ponch liner. Do you use it like a blanket or have you done some alterations to it?
First off, the KATQ thing was a joke, in case somebody missed that :D
Yeah, that's a MI poncho liner. I've used it three times as an overquilt in my HH now, with great success. This particular liner was given to me by JimTanker of Hiking HQ, but I'm seriously considering getting a couple more. It's very comfortable, very warm, and pretty light too.
As far as alterations, this one is unaltered as yet. I'm thinking about trimming it down some and adding some velcro so I can make a footbox - full-fledged overquilt type thing. If I get one or two more, I think I might try and make a mid-weather underquilt too.
peter_pan
10-04-2006, 09:50
First off, the KATQ thing was a joke, in case somebody missed that :D
Yeah, that's a MI poncho liner. I've used it three times as an overquilt in my HH now, with great success. This particular liner was given to me by JimTanker of Hiking HQ, but I'm seriously considering getting a couple more. It's very comfortable, very warm, and pretty light too.
As far as alterations, this one is unaltered as yet. I'm thinking about trimming it down some and adding some velcro so I can make a footbox - full-fledged overquilt type thing. If I get one or two more, I think I might try and make a mid-weather underquilt too.
Blackbishop351,
Weigh that "pretty light" MI Ponch Liner.... IF it is to spec, you'll find that it weighs 21.5 oz... lots of lighter, warmer, less bulky stuff out there....Also the nylon of a spec MI PL has virtually no wind resistance...
Pan
blackbishop351
10-04-2006, 11:23
Blackbishop351,
Weigh that "pretty light" MI Ponch Liner.... IF it is to spec, you'll find that it weighs 21.5 oz... lots of lighter, warmer, less bulky stuff out there....Also the nylon of a spec MI PL has virtually no wind resistance...
Pan
I haven't weighed it, but I know it's lighter than the fleece sleeping bag I've got, which weighed in at 23.2. And some of that will get shedded if/when I mod it.
Besides...I can pick these up surplus for $15, and I think one over, one under would get me to around 55 F or better (with mods, of course). Some of us are doomed to eternally watchwith envy as others drop $450 on a JRB set like it's nothing....:D
Black, I had got the joke thanks. Im southern not slow.