I've searched and spent a few hours trying to get to the bottom of this. What is the best way to get the best of both worlds on AT? You want to bring your hammock, but its inevitable you'll be sleeping in a shelter a fair amount of times. It's even mandatory at some points.
So, what do you guys think is the best medium for having your cake and being able to eat it too?
Most people will agree that if your going to bring a hammock. Do it right with an under quilt and top quilt. I would say the best option would be a 20* under quilt coupled with a 40* top quilt.
Couple that with a +15 degree sleeping bag liner and you should be set on warmth the whole hike. Lightweight solution, about 2 1/4 lbs including both uq's and the liner.
Now...you gotta make that switch to to the shelter bunk. Having a 40* top quilt and sleeping bag liner is great. Because when you crawl in the liner, your back isn't exposed. And you should warm throughout the hike.
But what do you do to sleep on? If you carry a thermarest neoair, you know have the best of both worlds.. but your carrying 3lbs of insulation. and you just dropped A LOT of coin.
If you just bring a, for example, gossamer gear torso pad.. are you really gonna sleep well? ... but you also cut half a pound of weight.
Whats your thoughts on this topic?
Regards