3/4 or full length UQ?

[callum]

Does anyone here use a 3/4 under quilt? Do you compromise comfort in exchange for weight and space? Is there much difference in space saved between a full length and a 3/4 length when loaded into your pack?
I'm thinking of buying either a HG Phoenix or HG incubator and can't decide.

[GadgetUK437]

I have the HG Phoenix 20, like it a lot. It's the only UQ I have, so I'm not really qualified to comment. I'm 5'10", when I'm lying on a diagonal it reaches from my neck to my ankles, a pillow and sit pad make up the difference.
I went for it because I wanted the best bang for the least space in my pack. Saving up for a Burrow 20 now.

--
Gadget.

[craige]

For really cold temps a full length is the way to go as far as I'm concerned. I've got a 0°F UGQ Zeppelin for really cold stuff.
Down a bit below freezing I really like my 20°F pheonix. A pad isn't needed for me until below 5°C unless I've got a decent breeze blowing through. Even then I've never found it a hassle and it doubles as a sit pad.

[callum]

Thanks guys great feedback, I will be mainly sleeping the warmer months and I'm 6'0, just don't want to order something from the U.S. only to find I should have gone for the other option.
Craige, when you say pad do you mean a full size pad or a sit pad for the lower legs?

[craige]

I'm 6'3" and the phoenix fits great if that helps.
Yeah a sit pad, backpanel for backpack etc. Even a fleece will work because it won't compress like your top quilt.

[Scotty Von Porkchop]

I find full lengths much harder to get fitted nice and tight under my bum and feel that shorter is much lighter and warmer for given length. My preference is for 2/3rds length even when it's way below freezing

[bopdude]

If you do go for the shorter length you can improve footbox insulation by doing your jacket up around the foot end of the hammock, works a treat with or without an UQ

[callum]

Ok so next question I suppose will be 40f or 20f? I'm guessing if I went for 20 I would get a few extra months out of it and in summer I could keep it lose to stop overheating?

[callum]

By the way cheers again guys you've really helped me make up my mind 😀

[Sunndog]

Ok so next question I suppose will be 40f or 20f? I'm guessing if I went for 20 I would get a few extra months out of it and in summer I could keep it lose to stop overheating?

a 20 degree quilt is by far the more versatile mate

[GadgetUK437]

If you want to save 85g and aren't bothered about winter hanging the 40F Phoenix might be your ultralight choice.
The 20F is still pretty compact and only 437g and should see you through most a Southern English winter will throw at you. And if you chuck a bit more protection in the mix, you could face most anything this country can throw at you (UQP/extra pad/etc).
Warm weather should be OK, I can always loosen the quilt suspension, to vent things a bit.

[craige]

You can ask for a 30° too if you think that'll cover you. Honestly though, I've slept with my 20°F phoenix uq at 20°C and loosened the corners and uncinched the ends. 20°F Tq over one leg and my stomach. Wasn't too bad at all. Kinda like a mattress, don't need to change as much for the season. Too much underneath isn't as bad as too much on top. Opposite is true with too little though ime.

[Meadows]

Great topic.
As some one who is contemplating an UQ for the first time it's good to hear people's thoughts.
So will the 20F phoenix be okay to minus 5C ish? Is that comfort, limit etc like sleeping bags?
What are the stand out UQ' s of that temp range at a low weight, 500g or less ?

[craige]

I haven't quite had it down that low but was warm at -3C. I am a warm sleeper though.
If I needed a new UQ I would be getting Scotty Von Porkchop (BeUl) to make me one, having seen his work in person, it's every bit as good as the US stuff and you can get pretty much anything you can imagine. Plus no customs or 4 weeks for postage. Other companies worth a look are underground quilts loco libre gear and enlightened equipment.

[GadgetUK437]

What are the stand out UQ' s of that temp range at a low weight, 500g or less ?

At that weight limit and temperature range, you have pretty much ruled out full length Uqs (and synthetics).
To get enough loft at that weight you'll need to look for 3/4 UQs filled with 800 fill down (or more), so that is expensive.
Obviously, the HG phoenix is in the running.

The 20F Loco Libre Habanero looks nice, lots of choices,
http://www.locolibregear.com/gear.ht...egory=16557526

Enlightened Equipment's Revolt
http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/revolt/

Jacks'R'Better Greylock 3
http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/greylock-3/

Wilderness Logics 15F 3/4 length
http://wildernesslogics.com/Under-Qu...15F-UQ-3-4.htm

Underground Quilts Zeppelin 3/4
http://www.undergroundquilts.com/uq/default.html

And here is a good comparison spreadsheet,
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...euow/htmlview#

[Stevie]

Great stuff Gadget. Thanks for researching and posting this for everyone.