Looking for hammock insulation advice

[Drybones]

I've made myself a hammock and need to decide what UQ and TQ to buy. I want something that will keep me warm without long johns down to 20*. I've looked at what's out there and thought about making my own but after looking at the cost believe I'd come out better purchasing. At the moment I'm leaning toward Enlightened Equipment, I'd appreciate any insight you may have. Below is what info I've gathered. Thanks.




Underquilt
Size
Rating
Cost
Weight
Fill
Down


Enlightened Equipment
65 x 44
20*
$235.00
18.74
11.38
800


Hammock Gear Incubator
78 x 44
20*
$249.00
22
12
850


Wilderness Logics
78 x 45
10*
$250.00
27
14
850


Enlightened Equipment
75 x 44
20*
$250.00
20.95
13
800


Undergroundquilts.com
77 x 47
20*
$270.00
26.75
13
850


JRB Mt Washinton 3
77 x 42 x 3
25*
$290.00
23
?
800


JRB Mt Washinton 4
77 x 42 x 4
5*
$320.00
29.5
?
800











Topquilt
Size
Rating
Cost
Weight
Fill
Down


Wildernesslogics
78 x 55
15
$245.00
25
15
850


Hammock Gear Burrow 20*
79 x 50
20
$264.00
19.8
12.7
850


Enlightened Equipment
6'6" x 58
20
$265.00
22.19
15.63
800


Underground Quilts
75 x 50
20
$270.00
22.5
14
850


Warbonnet
78 X 55
20
$285.00
23
13
850

[Likeapuma]

Most here will tell you that ANY of those will be an excellent purchase.

Do you dislike wearing long johns while sleeping? I only ask because my understanding (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) is that the given ratings are supposed to be the lowest "safe" temp the gear can reach, augmented with a base layer. So if you're planning on going down to 20° and sleep cold, you might not freeze, but you might be miserable.

[12trysomething]

You have done your research well. As stated, you can't go wrong with any of the above. For my 2 sets of quilts (0* and 30*) I went with Hammock Gear for a few reasons, 1) specifically designed baffles and contouring 2) ability to get custom colors and 3) Argon fabric is by far the best I could find in my research (soft, down proof and water repelling).

Good luck with your choice.

[Speakeasy TN]

Don't overlook Arrowhead Equipment's selection.

[SteelCut]

The Jacks R Better Greylock is rated to 20-25. I own that 3/4-length UQ and I am very pleased with it's loft and it checks in at 16 ounces. Users on hammockforums.net have reported that it's very comfortable to 20* and some have been comfortable even lower. However, I have not used it to that temperature rating yet. YMMV.

[kayak karl]

Most here will tell you that ANY of those will be an excellent purchase.

Do you dislike wearing long johns while sleeping? I only ask because my understanding (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) is that the given ratings are supposed to be the lowest "safe" temp the gear can reach, augmented with a base layer. So if you're planning on going down to 20° and sleep cold, you might not freeze, but you might be miserable.
JRB quilts have gotten me 10 degrees below without wearing a base layer. just underwear and t. Mt wash 4 to -10 and their Nest (40) to 30 degrees. sleeping bags may be different.

[OCDave]

When picking my first set of quilts it was really just a leap of faith. I picked Hammock Gear and have been very satisfied. I find the weight, durability, quality of workmanship and suspension design to met or exceeded my expectations. I have since purchased several more quilts from HG. A 20* set including an Incubator and Burrow has kept me cozy into the low 'teens.

Enlightened Equipment has a good reputation but, I have never laid hands on one of their quilts.

Good Luck with your own leap of faith.

[Drybones]

Enlightened Equipment uses square baffles vs longitudinal baffles everyone else uses...anyone have an opinion on the square baffles?

[kayak karl]

here's another option http://www.zpacks.com/quilts/underquilt.shtml

[Nodust]

I have a Hammock Gear Phoenix 20F. I've slept at 25F with merino too and bottoms and was very comfortable. I think it weighs 18 oz. it's the 3/4 length.

[kidchill]

+1 for hammock gear. I used their 40deg 3/4 UQ and their 40deg TQ for a SOBO thru. I was only uncomfortable on the 10deg nights...That being said, I think some of my ability to take them so cold was the fact that I was used to being without climate control. If I tried it now, I'd probably be freezing! Also, I think I had extra fill in the UQ, and I was wearing pants, an ultralite down jacket, and a beanie on those nights. I would say true rating is down to about 30deg. Also, the customer service with hammockgear is top-notch. I highly recommend!

[ShaneP]

I've got a hammock Gear Incubator. Mine is older and not tapered with less under the legs like the newer ones.

Also highly recommend the customer service from Adam(Stormcrow) on the Hammock Gear

Get full length. Get extra fill.

[shellhammock]

Enlightened Equipment uses square baffles vs longitudinal baffles everyone else uses...anyone have an opinion on the square baffles?

The square baffles EE uses are called Karo-Step baffles where the corners of the squares are open; I've used them and will continue to do so because I love the ability to move the down around to where you need it (example: on the diagonal lay, much of the down in the opposite corners is wasted with longitudinal baffles).

You should note too that JRB (the inventors of the UQ) utilize LATITUDINAL baffles that takes care of that same problem of wasted insulation. The real question should be.. Why do the majority of quilt manufactures use longitudinal baffles for UQ's??