I'm a tenter and have been for 45yrs but you sir have convinced me to try hammocking.... even if just to try breakfasting from the hammock. Loves the vids 😁
Shug like the others here I wouldn't be able to enjoy the beautiful mountains here in CO without learning about hammocks from you. I spent a good chunk of my 23 years in the military in tip of the spear operations and there have been times where grabbing my hammock and climbing up a few mountains just to swing beneath some tall pines listening to the wind has truly helped me heal. I can't say what my life would be like without the ability to take a break using the knowledge you provided to me. I'd probably be another faceless guy sitting in a VA clinic staring at a TV with no sound. I can say that there are others like me who no doubt feel the same way, and I've used the lessons you taught me to help them. Don't worry about the haters, it's only words, you've helped many guys who made a living destroying real evil not succumb to the demons later, and I thank you for all of them.
Very good review Shug! I made a summer top quilt from a Costco quilt. It only costs about $20 and we sewed a footbox at the end. It packs small, lightweight, and works good down into the low 50's. I also have 20 F under and top quilts from EE.
Shug.....I have really learned alot from you. I'm over 60 yrs old, and it's nice to watch a hammocker "EXPLAIN"!! One thing to review, another to talk about, but you "Teach"!!! BIG difference...helps guys like me who want to learn, make purchases, and understand the "what's and why's". Much appreciated here !!!
Made my own top quilt, bottom quilt and hammock based on information I have learned from you over the years. I think I might be hanging more often! Thanks to Shug!
Shug - thank you for for always being timely even though this is an older video. Your videos are timeless. I am looking to replace my sleeping bag that I have used as a top quilt for many years. A top quilt is my last piece of gear to upgrade. I have warbonett xlc, custom wookie UQ and the superfly. Plus all my DIY stuff that I started out with. So the TQ will be the complete set up. I still struggle knowing what is best for me. Not WHICH is best, because all the vendors have great products. Thanks again for ALWAYS giving each vendor a fair shake. You always do it right. Thanks again from Texas
Great info Shug! Right now I'm camping in a hammock with a pad and a sleeping bag turned upside down, really thinking about a proper Top Quilt and Under Quilt thanks for showing your Quilts! 👍🙂👍
I will go with your advice. I looking at the 30 degree rating should I be looking at the full length or the 3/4 for my first UQ? Thanks for your help Shug! 👍🙂👍
the information, and the personality, i think Shug could have a TV show. it is a crime he does not have more subscribers, he is a rare commodity on youtube. he is funny,serious and open to new gear and ideas, and loves to share what he knows.
Bradley Campbell I agree with you brother! A rare breed in deed. There r people making a living with the outdoors that don't have 1/10 of his personality
Thank you Shug I got my Jacks R Better High Sierra Sniveller (0F) Quilt yesterday...and love it. I probably wouldn't have bought it without seeing it in your videos... thank you again Rodney...p.s. just what I wanted in a Quilt.
Thanks for the video Shug, as always quite informative.. Heres another tip for a synch down foot box, add a sock, or some other garment in the hole and then synch down the draw cords. Happy trails.
My whole family watches your videos . Even though there are hundreds and hundreds of videos on RU-vid, the way you explain things seems to click. I would say a good portion of blame goes to your videos for getting my family into hammoking lol. Thanks Shug keep em coming.
people who have the rare gift to share information(teach) are so hard to find. and too often pushing a view. Shug's only view he pushes is Breakfast in the Hammock :)
Thanks again bud, love your videos. Even with lots of internet reading, usually I don't find what I am looking for until I watch some of your videos. Hope you keep at it, it is appreciated.
Hey Shug :) Sam all the way from England, just wanted to say that despite your experience on RU-vid did not necessarily start deliberately, I am grateful that you enjoy making them as you have entertained and helped thousands of people including myself, your content is varied... but everything is so fun to watch, packed with laughs and great life advice. Thanks again Shug, Keep it up man, Sam 🙂
I am a believer. Love my Enlightened Equipment Revelation top quilt and my Jacksrbetter under quilt. What a great combo they are. Thank you sir and good napping to you.
I had a song in my head while watching this and I don't know why. It was "Down with the sickness", and I am rather disturbed by this. Thanks for the insight into TQ's Shug, very helpful in relieving my bank account of bloat buying more gear.
WHOOOO BUDDY You are really the BEST of ALL, SHUG, u have the best ideas and inspirations, but i 've missed that red nose on ur green froggy dress.... ( at 11:00 ) hahahaha all secure in red nose sector. i can not THANK YOU ENOUGH for all the smiles u put on my face ! ! !
Hey Shug like you I have been camping for a long time. Remember the old Slumber jack over size sleeping bags. I never could get used to sleeping with my legs pinched, I like a lot of room. I am new to the top quilt idea. But weight made me try it. When I saw the prices I went to a diy set up. It worked out great. At Costco you can buy a goose down throw. I am 6'4" tall so I needed two. I sewed onto the top of the one 4 additional squares so it would be long enough. Sewed a tube at the bottom to bunch it with some paracord and a couple of sets of loops up to about 16 inches to create my footbox. It stretches pretty wide if I don't want my feet together. With the other 10 squares of throw, I took 4 and sewed up some booties that come up to my knees. The last six squares I made a mini quilt out of, with some loops that tie together with the long top quilt that goes from my shoulders to my waist, for those cold nights. I am still a ground sleeper on a thermorest. All in all the two set ups don't weigh 2 lbs. the top quilt weighs about 1 lb, the booties and mini quilt less. What I have found is the top quilt is fine down to about 35 degrees. and all I need for summer camping. When I get cold the first thing that dose is my feet. But the booties keep my feet toasty. I also carry a puffy jacket and with nothing more than my set up and the puffer jacket over my butt, I was comfortable down to 13 degrees when I went to bed. I am not sure how cold it actually got through the night, but when I went to bed the thermo said it was 13 degrees. I'll be sixty this year and so nature calls through the night and getting in and out of a top quilt is so much faster and easier than a bag. I am sold. All in all it only cost me 40 bucks to make the kits. I love watching you. Thanks for the wisdom. Thought I would give another option.
Love my HG quilts! They really do an amazing job making them don't they? I'm waiting on my custom -10° set to ship any day now. I asked them to make my Burrow the same as yours with both vertical & horizontal tubes to really get it to lay on me without any bridging since there's sooo much down in it ( 20+ oz's in both!). I saw that they just sold 2 of their prototypes in that style w/ a snap footbox, so I think they might be making them all that way soon if people like it. Another fine vid sir!
It never occurred to me that by the act of squashing down down literally by sitting stepping in would greatly reduce the effectiveness! Thank you. 2 yrs late but I only just started thinking about outdoor insulation you look like you could be one of the band members of Devon in that green thing with the rope belt!
I have a Jack's R Better bridge hammock thanks to you and I love it. How come you don't use the bridge hammock more often. I'm 56, to me it seems more comfortable. Granted I'm a side sleeper. But thanks for all the info you give us backpackers. Going to attempt the AT next March, and I think the majority of my gear I have is thanks to you. You're gear reviews are awesome and right on the money.
Shug, You looked a little like a Leprechaun meets the Michelen Man in zarape mode! But great info and always entertaining videos. I really appreciate you my brother. I have learned a lot from you this past year. Keep up the good work.
AT 3:14 pumpkin in a hammock! Nice look Shug :-) 11:08 SUMOooooo LOL.. I have the UK Hammocks Ground dweller top quilt it is totally fantastic, Although made from Dutch ARGON, UK hammocks are the only company to make top quilts in this neck of the woods.......Great heads up shug
I sure enjoyed this video A Lot, shug. I'm try'n to figure out a "Top & Bottom" quilt for 2 of us on our hammock's. I do learn alot from your video's, I may have to watch more then once though.
I appreciate the video Shug! I’m using a synthetic mummy bag that I converted into a top quilt. Been wanting to upgrade to a HG TQ to match the HG UQ that I have, you made my mind up for me with this video. Also I just placed an order for a Purdy Boil tee and a Shug sticker, WHOOOO BUDDY)))) Salamat Po!
shugemery my pleasure sir, a thank you for all the information you share with us noob(ish) hammockers. I was wondering what type of straps you have on your ULA packs, the J-curve or S-curve? I’m looking into upgrading my REI backpack.
Hammock Gear all the way! Way better than Jacks...my opinion of course. Baffle direction is superior and way more colors like shug mentioned. They add much more attention to detail and functionality. Love my zero degree incubator!!!
No doubt bro. Love it. You may be too old for this. :/ But do you remember “pegging” your pant leg? Shoot...pegged pants and rolled sleeves and some Moose to tame your Mullet! Brutha’ man!!! Thanks for being you bro. Love your stuff.
Do a video on down maintenance please for example you have been out and it's a wee bit damp and you lose a bit of loft? How do you tend to them back at the Shed :) i don't have treated down in my tQ. Thanks . Deer Fight!!!
Mainly keep it in good shape. Wash it with down wash once a year. Fluff in dryer. If on trail take time to get it out in good warm sunshine and fluff and migrate the down. ...ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-07rYfwaOyDQ.html Take advantage of the warm sun to dry a quilt even if you have to stop walking to dry it a bit. I keep them hanging or on big cotton quilt bags at home....www.hammockgear.com/hammock-gear-storage-sack/ Do not store down compressed!!!! Never. Keep the loft.
My underquilt is Titanium gray outer black inner 20* incubator. I got that to match my top cover which is also Titanium for my Chameleon which is Coyote Brown. BUT HG said once Titanium is out they don't want to be ordering more. And sadly its not offered in the ION fabrics. Otherwise my top quilt would be the same as my UQ.
Thank you! I now camp and spend more time with my brother in the woods. Made possible by our love of hammock camping. I owe the credit to you for getting us started. Thank you.
The custom made hammock gear quilt: is that the new design for the burrow Adam has talked about? How do you like it compared to the older horizontal baffles?
I am not sure about that. This is from another website...We’re now running the baffles from head to toe (was previously side to side). This creates a more consistent loft resulting in greater heat efficiency.
Hey Shug, question: I currently use a SnugpakJungle Blanket XL as a winter topcover. I like that it is insulated, water resistant, and windproof. I like it so much that I'm ditching my 1.5lbs North Face Massif down vest and bringing the 2lbs Jungle Blanket on my 100 mile trip with expected lows of around freezing (Texas). I've even considered modifying the Jungle Blanket so it can be worn as an insulated poncho. But for weight savings and increased functionality I wouldn't mind eventually upgrading to a JRB Sniveler. I'm curious to know if you could use your Jacks R Better Sniveler as a topcover. I know that you may not prefer that particular application, I'm just curious to know if it would work as a topcover instead of just a top-quilt. If you're looking for an excuse to go out in the backyard and do a little lollygagging and napping I'd love it if you could test this idea out and let me know how it works. Top and bottom quilts would be used in conjunction with the additional JRB 'topcover'. I'm just thinking I could lighten my load and have increased functionality with this idea. So if you're looking for an excuse to lollygag or possibly even a video idea, maybe you could try this idea out and help me with an odd idea as well. And if you do it in an 11 foot Warbonnet that would be best for me. ...for some reason I'm picturing a video intro of you in a giant warbonnet made of peacock and/or ostrich feathers as you admire a pot of boiling water. Thanks Shug! You're the best! 👍🤡 ...and no worries if this is too strange of an idea to even bother trying. The topcover idea, not the giant warbonnet. We both know the giant warbonnet is a great idea! 🤣🤦♂️
I am not a top cover user. Only used my Sniveller as a top quilt. Personally I would hate to be without my vest. Gonna have to leave it to you to play with.......
shugemery : I love my vest too, but for cubic inches, weight, and useable R-value in different circumstances I'm going to go with the topcover/camp blanket for this trip. In a year or three I may look back on this and wonder why I would make such a stupid decision, but right now it makes sense to me. Thanks for replying. I always appreciate your insight.
Shug..I bought the JRB High Sierra Sniveller and it was very solid quilt, but sold i sold it due to the weight and did not use it as a coat. I took a beaten on the price also..Why do you think they are under rated because it was a very well built quilt and was Warm.. Just Thinking out Loud
I bought an HG 20 degree incubator under quilt and am looking at a top quilt but can't decide on a 30 or 40 degree. What do you think would work best for trips on the SHT from the end of May to maybe Oct.Thanks for all the great videos, I've picked up a lot of information.
Mr. Shug, can you recommend a top quilt and underquilt? I am looking for something light, for 0 degrees, wide enough for ground camping on occasion, but otherwise used for my XLC. I was thinking of going with the Scandinavian Wookie and a Hammock Gear top quilt, but would appreciate your recommendation. Thanks Shug. I love your channel. Thanks for sharing with us.
Just make sure you get a good one! Consider your color choices, fabrics, fill weigh, goose down or duck down? Length, width etc. All the vendors in this video make top notch stuff. Make sure to check out their turn-around time on delivering. The choices you made are good ones.
So Shug, I know you say you can sleep on your side with a top quilt. But I toss and turn all night long, even in my hammock. I would freeze in a top quilt. Sorry. Not for everybody. But I am in the market for an underquilt. 20 degree. As you say so versatile. What do you recommend? Thanks and great video as always.
Great video Shug, I'll share it and the Tarp Talk video with my Scouts. You mentioned stuffing your quilts into a stuff sack, but I recall in your various trip load videos you highly endorse just stuffing them in the bottom of your pack inside your trash compactor bag. Ever since I saw that I've been doing the same with great results and a pack (ULA Ohm 2.0 doncha know!) that always loads and looks the same whether for an overnighter or a longer trip. Keep up the great work! Muchas gracias etc., etc., etc.
Shug, you mentioned that your quilts are all regular length. How tall are you - if that's ok to ask? About 6'1 here, and have found that long sleeping bags are far more comfortable. Wondering why the same wouldn't apply to the quilts. About to pull the trigger on some fine lookin Hammock Gear stuff. Thumbs up to ya!
Another great video, Shug! Mercy Watson, do I hate being cold! I love TQ's, but still use unzipped sleeping bags for the versatility (I have several from Feathered Friends in Seattle, WA). TQ's and hammocks don't work so well for mountaineering, so my mountaineering / backpacking sleeping bags pull double duty.
Am I correct that it is very difficult to get into a sleeping bag when in a hammock? What I mean is using it not as a top quilt, but as a sleeping bag that you can zip up.
Looking at Hammockgears website I only see horizontal baffles, is the customized upper/vertical and lower/horizontal an option and whats the benefit of the vertical
It is a custom job. From another website.....We’re now running the baffles from head to toe (was previously side to side). This creates a more consistent loft resulting in greater heat efficiency.
I ended up getting a Therm-a-Rest xtherm, this pad has the largest R-value of any pad on the market...I am having a problem with my Sierra sniveler. The Down wants to migrated to the sides creating cold spots on the top. . .Is there something I can do about it to keep it from happening...My Quilt is still in new conditions...I also own Outdoor Vitals 0 degree Quilt and a Zpacks 10 degree Quilt...without these problems...most Quilt makers are making there baffles from the head to the toe just long straight baffles...Jack's R Better are side to side and my down migrates during the night side to side no matter how much I fluff it up before I go to bed...I get cold spot...and I get cold...JRB so far are not willing to fix this problem I am having...
@Friar Rodney Burnap Sorry to hear of the problems. I've never had any trouble with down migrating in my JRB quilt but I give them a good snap and shake to get my down where I want. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-07rYfwaOyDQ.html You must really toss and turn a lot! Hope you get it figured out.
Hey Shug, please give me some advice - I have a WBRR double-layer hammock. No $ for an underquilt now. I plan to use a Klymit Status V pad and I have a down blanket to use as a top quilt. Do I need anything inside the hammock to lay on or do I just lay directly on the hammock? Would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks! Great videos, I have learned a lot from them.
I am watching the video. I was thinking you lay right on the hammock but wanted to be sure. Thanks again. Another question - I have a "mantel" from an old Black Ice winter sleeping bag. It zips onto the bag and adds 15-20 degrees of insulation. I am not winter camping anymore and it looks like it could be re-purposed as an under quilt for the colder temps of Adirondacks in early spring/late fall. I guess I would forego the pad then or would I combine the two in some way? Your thoughts? Thanks again.
Hey Shug :) I love your videos. I have the Amok, it's new. I was wondering what sleeping mat and sleeping bag/quilt you'd recommend? We are planning a trip for the first week of November, temp at night should be 20 degrees maybe little lower. I'm not so much worried about price but I don't want to spend over $300 for a bag/quilt or over $150 for a mat.
They have had recommendations on their website. I use an REI Stratus. And an E xped nine down mad. Make sure that the baffle tubes run from head to toe and not side to side for best results
I love your videos brother thank you for the information and if you ever have any gear that you don't use anymore and want to help a beginner out I'm here LOL
shugemery I understand brother I just got into overnight hiking and I love it I've always been in love with the outdoors and every year me and my family go on camping trips but all of the stuff that we have is for car camping big heavy stuff and now that I'm actually getting out and hiking a lot of the stuff I can't use it's just too heavy to carry do you have like a channel sticker
Great stuff....truly unique!...love it! Been backpacking for years but never sleep all that well and I’ve tried all the pads! Giving a hammock a try...I’ve had a few EE quilts which I liked but sold recently. I’ve ordered a chameleon from Dutch and trying to decide on a 20* TQ and UQ. I live in north Fl but mainly hike from October to April on southern AT. I also do a trip out west yearly as well winter FT trips. Your HG quilt looks like a UGQ, did you have HG build like that? I’m trying to decide wether to go with HG or UGQ...3/4 vs full length? I plan to order a cuben HG tarp w doors as well. Any input appreciated!
My TQ from HG was a gift so I had no input. Never seen a UGQ quilt in person. I like 3/4 UQs for backpacking. Take less room in the pack. Cost a bit less too.
is the outside stitching offset from the inside stitching on the down section baffles? if the stitching from outside to inside is continuous & not offset the heat retention is considerably lessened.
Hey I am grateful for your videos thank you. I know you usually spend time out in the cold. Do you have her pack your mandolin or a smaller guitar? I Play something called the Charrango which you should look into you’ll like it. I have hiked with small guitar before but it was miserable for me. And I don’t like the way those backpack Qatar sound or look.Do you have any suggestions? Or advice? Thank you. Please let us know if you’re ever coming to South Carolina to perform. I love you take my kids to see you.
hammock gear stopped making the quilts in multicam and its really sad , stormcrow and jenny have always done me right i had bought 2 underquilts and spent alot and they said no more
hey shug i see so many videos now of these crazy backpackers that go stoveless and just cold soak there food to save on weight ,,,what do you think about that?
the only argument against topquilts I can think of is when sleeping under half a tarp or no tarp debris and stuff that fall in the hammock are immediately a nuisance. As for with a closed bag you have a second chance.. ..other argument is top-quilts are very hard to get and expensive to import into the EU.. (as for all the US gear) other than that, yeah I'm getting one soon I hope..
well, one 'buscraftshop' imported some Jacks r better and Warbonnet stuff.. a very small stock. it didn't take of. the local market is too small.. and that's a good thing too, nice and quiet in the woods. but when i want to get a decent down quilt I pay a ton for shipping, tax and import.. not funny at all - so back to the sewing machine.. ..thanks man, watched the other video, man yours is a though job..
Check out UK Hammocks' quilts- www.ukhammocks.co.uk/collections/quilts. The owner is friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. I'm not sure what the shipping would be like onto the continent, but it's got to be better than paying for freight from the US. They don't sell the same volume as the vendors here in the US, but I liked their gear better than the stuff from DDHammocks.
Shug (or anyone else), I just recently became aware of HG’s economy (econ) line of quilts and was pleasantly surprised to learn that they are $100 cheaper than their standard quilts. I understand the econ line uses duck rather than goose down and the shell fabric is different. Clearly the price is the major advantage of the econ quilts. As to disadvantages, I’m assuming the materials used for the econ line make for a heavier and bulkier quilt. Am I correct in those assumptions? Are there any other disadvantages to consider?
I have econs and see no reason to get the full fat. But then I haven seen or tried them. Plus, they have ones in stock which is a major bonus for impatient people.
Hey Shug, awesome video man! love all the tips. I have a question for you. What is your usual pack base-weight? I've seen some of your hiking videos and it seems like your setup isn't too lightweight. I'm trying to dial in my system, and would love to get your perspective on pack weight. Like Lightweight versus Ultralight versus Traditional pack weights. If you get the chance I would love the insight! Keep Hiking, John
My base with everything but water and food and fuel is always around 16 pounds....season depending. I am not ultra-light. Did that years ago. Now I want a bit more comfort. These days I never weigh as I kinda know about what my pack will weigh with the tems, # of days and of course weather or season. ru-vid.com/group/PL0514EDB1F6389FA6
Hey Shug, Love your videos. I’m new to hammock camping and need some advice on quilts. I’m considering the HG Econ TQ and UQ. In your experience are they rated for lower limit or comfort rating? I don’t do any winter camping so I was leaning towards a 30 degree setup. Thanks!
At this age....something thicker. Like REI Flash. I have one and like it but not used it a ton. www.rei.com/product/157891/rei-co-op-flash-3-season-sleeping-pad So many choices.
@@shugemery I ended up getting a Therm-a-Rest xtherm there's Pat has the largest R-value of any pad on the market...I am having a problem with my Sierra sniveler. The Down wants to migrated to the sides creating cold spots on the top. . .Is there something I can do about it to keep it from happening...My Quilt is still in new conditions...I also own Outdoor Vitals 0 degree Quilt and a Zpacks 10 degree Quilt...without these problems...most Quilt makers are making there are baffles from the head to the toe just long straight baffles...Jack's R Better are side to side and my down migrates during the night side to side no matter how much I fluff it up before I go to bed...I get cold spot...and I get cold...JRB so far are not willing to fix this problem I am having...
@@friarrodneyburnap4336 Sorry to hear of the problems. I've never had any trouble with down migrating in my JRB quilt but I give them a good snap and shake to get my down where I want. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-07rYfwaOyDQ.html You must really toss and turn a lot! Hope you get it figured out.
