As my body becomes less tolerant of tent camping, even with a Thermarest sleeping pad, I have changed my program to a Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock. It was recently purchased and have yet to give it a test run. I am looking for a Superfly tarp to top off my combo but that is another topic for another time. The big question, what do people use as underquilts or are they used much? I, as I have previously mentioned have a few inflatable sleeping pads and wonder their use in my system. Will they stay put.....What do others prefer?

quote cknlg1: "As my body becomes less tolerant of tent camping, even with a Thermarest sleeping pad, I have changed my program to a Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock. It was recently purchased and have yet to give it a test run. I am looking for a Superfly tarp to top off my combo but that is another topic for another time. The big question, what do people use as underquilts or are they used much? I, as I have previously mentioned have a few inflatable sleeping pads and wonder their use in my system. Will they stay put.....What do others prefer?"

I made my own underquilt but have yet to test its lower temperature limit. I've used it down to about freezing and been plenty warm. Underquilts perform the same basic function as sleeping pads, either inflatable of closed-cell foam (CCF). They're all there to help you retain heat on your back-side. There are people who swear by underquilts and those who swear by pads. It's just personal preference really.

For a very comprehensive look at cold-weather hammocking and insulation types, check out this set of videos by Sean Emery.

I wanted to go as light and inexpensive as I could. I bought a ¾ length KAQ from the original supplier. It is sufficient for all summer camping but because of it smaller size care must be taken to keep it in the correct position. I would buy the same one again. You do not need a lot for summer camping but you need something. I have a BBWB and a super fly and that has worked out well. My super fly has served as my cooking shelter on Rainy days.

I'm pretty new to the whole hammock thing as I just got mine last year but I also have a WBBB and Superfly. I went with the Incubator 20 from hammock gear and am very happy with it - I'm saving up to get one of their top quilts next.

Yep, an UQ from hammockgear will work great with your BB. I have a 40 and 20 degree and they are great pieces of work.

A pad will eventually move around and give you cold spots, not to mention take away from the comfort you were seeking by going to a hammock to begin with.

I use an under quilt all the time, I'm a cold sleeper. I can highly recommend Underground Quilts. They can do super custom work, if that's your thing, or standard issue. They also have water proof/resistant down etc.

From our BWCA Hanging forum

I love my KAQ Jarbidge. I think it is in the sweet spot for synthetic insulations, and you can not argue with the price. I have a down underquilt that cost me more and is rated lower temps but I use the jarbidge most of the time. One thing to keep in mind with a 3/4 quilt like the Jarbidge is that you will need something to set your feet on. I use an inflatable sit pad that I brought anyway.

Hey all,

Thanks for the input thus far....guess something I should have mentioned is that i think i would prefer a full length underquilt if its needed and also the temps for using would not be below 40'. Primarily a spring/summer/fall use...

quote cknlg1: "Hey all,


Thanks for the input thus far....guess something I should have mentioned is that i think i would prefer a full length underquilt if its needed and also the temps for using would not be below 40'. Primarily a spring/summer/fall use..."

I sure am glad that I have my 20 deg incubator. I go May and August. Have been in low 20's in May and have had frost advisories in August and has gotten into the mid 30's. That's below your 40 degs. Have never had any trouble in the summer months, just open up the shock cords a little. Just my 2 cents.

I recently ordered the full length from HG and am anticipating its arrival. I made an error on the order and emailed my mistake with a corrected order. The response was quick and fully satisfactory.

Toss a mylar emergency blanket (cost, $2) in your kit. It adds an amazing amount of extra warmth if you are pushing the limits of your UQ.

I am new to hammocking, but I experimented a lot. 30* in June is not unusual, and in July and August not entirely unheard of. I don't know if UQ ratings are like sleeping bag ratings or tent size ratings (i.e. really optimistic). I went for a little more than I thought I would need, and have strategies like the emergency blanket to pull out some extra warmth without too much extra cash or weight.

I made an insultex underquilt. Nice for spring, summer, fall camping. Have not taken it below 40. It is bulky and does not compress. an under quilt is much better than a pad....but I am a "belt and suspenders" type of guy, so I bring a 1/4" closed foam pad just in case I have to "go to ground". I got the 1/4" pad from gossamergear.com, tried the 1/8" pad--much too flimsy and tended to wrinkle/not hold it's shape.

Often I use both the 1/4" pad and my underquilt, I am toasty warm and will just uncover with my bag if I need ventilation. Think about it...at home does your mattress vent? what do you do if you get too warm in your bed at home?

I would, however, be careful about a down underquilt and a space blanket or an underquilt protector. You are begging for condensation.

If I had to only buy one piece of bottom insulation and money was not an object, I would go with a full length down winter underquilt. I think you could use it in just about any situation.

Made mine from 1" furniture foam skinned with a Mylar safety blanket skin. Put grommets in and used shock cord for suspending it. It kept me very comfy in mid September. the main drawback is that it is bulky. Compression bag helped.

I use a WBBB and Superfly. The slot for a Thermarest type pad is useless = the pad slides up.

Generally speaking I think most of the cottage vendors realistically rate their temp ratings vs optimistically. That said, as a cold sleeper I opted for the overstuff in my 20* UQ and have not had a problem.

I just finished a 5 oz climashield underquilt. I survived last night down here in TN with a windy mid-high 20s night. Its worth learning to sew if you get into hammocking

tnvol.....Interested in your plans if your willing to share? I am very conscious about the packability of my gear.

So I should specify... The emergency blanket goes directly undre the hammock and on top of any UQ. The trick with the mylar is to get it as close as possible to you without touching.

there is the catch with synthetic, comparable weight to warmth as down above freezing, a whole lot cheaper, but not as packable. My underquilt is 72"x44" weighs around 22 oz and does fit in a 8liter dry sack, but I don't like to compress it that much as I think that it kills the loft. I carry my insulation in oversized dry sacks on canoe trips as bulk doesn't seem to be a problem.

Pattern is simple enough, inner layer (side toward hammock)and insulation cut to desired dimensions, outer layer about 3 inches wider, sew three layers together on sides inside out, turn right side out, finish ends with 3inch wide ribbon folded in half to make channels for drawcord.

Check out hammockforums.net, they have a great diy section with plans as complicated or simple as you could want.

Will give it a look....thanks for the input.

sorry for the novel of of a post!

I'm a relatively new hammock camper; I had my Warbonnet Blackbird up in the BWCA for two weeks this past year.

I experimented with sleeping pads in the backyard before the trips and immediately hated it. They can slide around and the pad I had was simply not wide enough for me. Also, I thought that the pad took away some of the comfort of having a hammock in the first place.

I took the Warbonnet 3-season Yeti (3/4 length underquilt) up for these past two trips. I experienced temps down into the high 20’s. I didn't like the partial length underquilt because I found that I needed a pad or extra insulation under my legs for any temps below 40.

Ultimately, I didn’t like fiddling with the extra insulation, so I picked-up a Hammockgear Incubator 0 degree full-length quilt. This quilt fits the Blackbird quiet well and so far I’ve successfully tested this thing down to 15 degrees (I use a Marmot Sawtooth 15 degree down bag as a topquilt). Finally, I underestimated the importance of a good tarp during my first trip. Strong winds really sap the warmth from you even if your within the temp range of the underquilt.

I use the following gear:
Superfly Tarp
Blackbird Hammock
Hammockgear Incubator 0 for winter, spring, fall.
Warbonnet Yeti for the summer
Marmot Sawtooth 15 degree sleeping bag

quote nulstatement: "sorry for the novel of of a post!


Finally, I underestimated the importance of a good tarp during my first trip. Strong winds really sap the warmth from you even if your within the temp range of the underquilt.


"

That is especially true if the under quilt is not a snug fit under you. I had my UQ repeatedly blown out from under me on a Opasquia trip. I finely used a safety pin to hold it in place. I have since found a way to hold it up tighter.

You all are the best....thanks for the super valuable input. Any additional opinions are still accepted.

I've tried to go the less expensive route on underquilts and have come to the realization that you just need to pony up the bucks for a good quality product and be happy (and warm). I and my son have WBBB hammocks. I have a 20* HG down quilt and my son has a 20* Undergound quilts under quilt. Both excellent quality and warm (I am a cold sleeper). I would have to say I think the HG may fit a little better but truthfully it is real close between the two. I would buy the one on sale!
You will love the tarp. Look on hammockforums.net for the tent pole mod. For $20 you can buy ultralight tent poles from quest outfitters that hold out the tie outs on the tarp and add copious amounts of room inside.
Finally, I would encourage you to also consider a hammock sock. In any degree of wind, the sock really seals in the warmth. I don't use mine in the summer but I do in late fall and winter. Great, lightweight piece of gear. I also have a Bear Burrito Oven which fits the WBBB but the sock protects the under quilt and seals heat better in my opinion.
Cheers!
JC

This is a very old thread but I have to chime in... I have a couple (Underground Quilt) UGQ Zeppelins. I went for the warmest (0f).

Most of my camping is non-summer. I have been fine down to -11 F when well-dressed in my bag. The underquilts are bulky but worth it. I can camp with my son or wife and know that we will easily stay warm down to 10 F. After that need to wear more insulation in the bag.

They are among the most expensive things I own and it was worth it.