Seeking Advice on Underquilt Options

[Nicholas D]

Not sure if first post is impossible to edit as in the gear swap forum. See below just in case.

[Nicholas D]

Hey, guys and gals

So I am looking to complete my first hammock set up. The only thing I have yet to order is the underquilt. I know from experience previously that I am perfectly fine using a 3/4 length underquilt. Additionally, the lowest temperature I’ll ever be in is 25*F–and that is the extreme. I am a relatively warm sleeper. That background being given–here are the options I had in mind.

1. Buy Once, Cry Once–Wilderness Logics 3/4 Length 15* UQ. Currently on sale for $176. 16 oz with stuff sack. Pros: This would, in theory, be the only UQ I’d ever have to buy. As warm as I could ever need it to be, and a super attractive weight. Concerns: Even though it is a great price for what you’re getting, this is much more expensive than what I was hoping for. Also, unsure of whether or not this would get too hot during warmer trips with night time lows as high as 75*.
2. Compromise V1–Hammock Gear Econ 40* Pheonix. $90, and only 13.5 oz. Lightweight and great for most of my trips. Could, in theory, supplement with pad as needed for colder trips. Pros: Price and weight. Cons: Might want a warmer quilt down the road.
3. Compromise V2–Wilderness Logics Budget Summer UQ. $100 and 12 oz with stuff sack. Also 40* rated, but a little shorter than the Hammock Gear version. Pros: Weight. Cons: Might be more difficult to supplement warmth on colder trips due to shorter length.
4. Budget Option–Costco Down Quilt Modded to UQ. About $30 and less than a pound after modifications. Pros: Price. Cons: Only rated to about 50*F, and pain in the butt to modify.

Thoughts? Or other suggestions I am not considering?

[Matthew / BPL]

I’m massively happy with my 20° HG Phoenix (not Econ). I’ve slept in it up around 70° with a lighter TQ. You can always reach up and loosen the suspension a little.

[Iago Vazquez]

I am saving up to buy a 40 degree 3/4 underquilt. When I looked at them last year, I noticed that the HG one had less down at 40F than other offerings. I remember thinking that if I went with them I would probably order the 30F to get the same amount of down. Not sure if things have changed…

[Katherine .]

1. If you sleep warm and don’t plan to go below 25, I’d say anything more than 20 would be overkill.
2. What about Wilderness Logics do you like? I’m not as familiar with that one.
3. A lot of folks on the Hammock FB group sing praises of their HG Econs.
4. If I were about to buy another UQ, I’d go with either Loco Libre or UGQ.

(I have a Warbonnet Wookie, but they are a special design to fit Warbonnet Blackbirds)

[windsor ak]

Easy enough to vent an underquilt, more so with a partial length one. Check out Loco Libre Gear and Underground Quilts as well to make the decision even more difficult. You can’t go wrong with the quality of any of the manufacturers mentioned. Just watch the fine details to make sure it fits your needs as some partial length underquilts are 52 inches, some 55, widths vary a bit, and some are customizable lengths. Also is 7 ounces of 900 fill warmer than 10 ounces of 800 fill.

You can stack underquilts, I have when winter camping. Bulky compared to a single warmer rated quilt.

If this is your first hammock setup, at $90 the Hammock Gear Phoenix is a steal, but as you noted you may want a warmer quilt eventually. Shorter term supplement with a DIY Costco throw stacked over whatever quilt you buy if needed. Then reevaluate if the partial length works, if the temperature rating is accurate for you, if you are still a warm sleeper when in a hammock with more heatloss due to convection, etc. when you have more experience hammocking. You can never own too many underquilts…ok maybe you can.

My personal experience is that in a gathered end hammock a pad is a PITA and uncomfortable. In a bridge hammock a pad can work well.

If you are not in a hurry there is the Loco Libre Saver series. A 20 degree 60 inch long underquilt with 11 ounces of 800 fill down will cost about the same as the 15 degree Wilderness Logics UQ with 7 ounces of 850-900 fill down. If you sleep warm you could go with a 30 degree Loco Libre saver for less. Difference is the Loco Libre quilt will take 4 to 5 weeks while the Wilderness Logics will likely be on your doorstep in under a week. I have ordered accessories from WL several times and everything is very quickly delivered.

An Underground Quilts 55 inch Zeppelin in 800 fill will run about the same as the WL. Difference is the UGQ will have end baffles and I don’t recall that the WL has them. Not a big deal at the temperatures you are talking about but it is noticable below freezing when a cold breeze starts blowing down your back from the head end of the quilt when you move around in the hammock.

Rest of this post shows I have too many quilts, a wide range of temperatures to cover, too much money spent on gear, and multiple hangers in the household. I have underquilts from Wilderness Logics, Hammock Gear, Loco Libre Gear, Underground Quilts, and Enlightened Equipment Revelation top quilts that can be used as underquilts with same extra shockcord and carabiners. All are good quality and get the job done.

I have a 30 degree full length WL underquilt. It is nice, no complaints, very similar to my Hammock Gear underquilts. I needed it a hurry for one of my kids to replace a DIY Costco down throw uq that wasn’t going to cut the temperatures. Ordered it Saturday night and had it by end of day on Wednesday.

My personal go to uq is an Underground Quilts Zeppelin 66 inch (7/8 length) long 900 fill 20 degree quilt and then I use a piece of foam pad under my feet if needed. I wanted the 66 inch length for a bit more coverage then a 52-55 inch partial uq.

I also have Hammock Gear 20 and 40 degree Incubators. Loco Libre 5 degree Habanero and 20 degree Carolina Reaper underquilts. A UGQ Zeppelin that is 83 inches long with 24 ounces of 800 fill down which makes it about a -20 degree quilt. 50 degree synthetic and 0 degree down with 2 ounces of overfill Enlightened Equipment top quilts that I have used as underquilts.

The nicest uq is a 20 degree Loco Libre Gear Carolina Reaper to go with a matching Ghost Pepper top quilt that I got for my wife. Purple with gold stitching. Fantastic quilts but very spendy.

 

 

[Nicholas D]

Thanks for the thoughts, everybody.

Katherine, the thing I specifically like about Wilderness Logics is the shorter wait time. Unless I can get one used, I am not sure I would get the Hammock Gear Econ in time for my next trip. Not a deal breaker–I can borrow an underquilt from a friend for that trip if need be. It’s just bulky and heavy (comparatively speaking).

Windsor, I will look into Loco Libre. Had not given them much thought. Thanks!

[Katherine .]

to clarify: my rec for “UGQ” is the same as winsor AK’s ” Underground Quilts.”

The most significant difference I see there is UGQ only uses untreated down and LL uses (only?) treated down. And people have opinions about that.

[george carr]

For transparency’s sake I am the owner of Loco Libre Gear. Our lead time right now on all straight baffle quilts (Saver series, Serranos, Habaneros) is 1-3 weeks. We haven’t lowered our lead times on the website for a couple of reasons, but will be updating them soon. In the meantime, if you want to be sure either call or email.

[Nicholas D]

Thank you, George!

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