UGQ Flight Jacket 40°

Great value sums up this top quilt made in Michigan by Paul and Missy and their crew at UnderGround Quilts (UGQ). I've had this quilt for just over a year now and I find this product to be a great value without a single loose thread, flaw, or problem with the construction of this quilt.

This product is not just for hammock campers. Their Flight Jackets are designed for ground campers too, as they include multiple tie options to secure the quilt to a sleeping pad if you fancy the sleeping down on the ground.

The quilts from UGQ would offer anyone that sleeps outside an outstanding value and a smart solution to stay warm sleeping out. This particular quilt is rated conservatively to 40°, however I purchased the quilt with 1 ounce of added 850 fill goose down effectively bringing the quilt's rating to 35°.

UGQ's products are not going to break the bank in comparison to many other quilt and sleeping bag manufacturers and the attention to detail UGQ pays to their products is likely to rival the most expensive products on the market. Just give Paul and Missy a call or drop them an e-mail and check for yourself the level of personal and expert customer service you will get from this former custom home builder and his wife.

UGQ's quilts are available in various lengths, widths, and insulation. Their illume down proof fabric is .9 oz. 15D and DWR treated to resist water and UGQ offers fill options which include HyperDRY waterproof down. This fabric has shed far less down than my REI down bag and my other quilts from Jacks R Better and Wilderness Logics. As a matter of fact I only recall a couple of escapees.

You may personalize your quilt by choosing different colors for the interior and exterior a standard feature. You can also choose custom color combinations using custom patterns and multiple colors on each size. Who doesn't want a great down quilt with their school colors?

Our cat knew better than to step on the quilt but he thoroughly inspected it while circling it and wishing he too could experience the luxury of being surrounded by down.

UGQ also offers foot box options of which I chose snaps with a drawstring to cinch the foot box closed for maximum warmth or opened to permit the amount of airflow you find appropriate for the temperature at the time. You can also choose a sewn foot box for maximum weight reduction and warmth.

Notice the plastic snaps and mini triangles that offer the user multiple configuration options for use with sleeping pads or even using the quilt as an under quilt. Each snap location is reinforced with additional fabric beneath the snaps to provide a place to grasp the quilt to open the snaps for long term durability.

A quick look around the edges of the quilt reveals more top quality workmanship and reinforcements that make UGQ quilts a favorite among hammock campers and should make UGQ a sought out provider of quilts for all campers and backpackers in particular.

850 Goose Down and made in the USA label.

Even though the illume 15 fabric is shiny it has a soft feel and is very comfortable against the skin.I initially was concerned it would produce a clammy environment, I couldn't have been more wrong, I love the way the quilt feels in warm and cold temperatures.

Foot box drawstring through the reinforced button hole stitching with cord lock and bead to prevent the cord from passing thru the cord lock.

Foot box cinched. Tip, for draft proofing in the cold a small cloth could be placed in the opening before cinching it down. I usually just wind the excess cord around the cinched end and tie sealing the opening and leave enough to clip to a small s-biner on the ridge line to help prevent the quilt from escaping the hammock. I don't want to drop my quilt on the wet ground.

Below is the snap on the head end.

The shock cord and cord lock for the head end cinch also thru a button hole reinforced with additional fabric.

Also notice the further attention to detail to the cinch cord/shock cord, there are beads on the cords to prevent the cord from pulling thru the cord locks. The holes where the foot and head cinch cords are also similarly reinforced as the snaps.

Foot box snapped.

Foot box vented.

I am 5'11" and 190 pounds and chose a 78" x 55" quilt and could have easily used a quilt that was 5" shorter but the longer quilt offers the ability to cinch the top closed and escape the outside cold air if things aren't going as planned. And the great thing about the UGQ product I purchased is the fabric is water resistant and and the down is waterproof.

I have used this quilt down to 18° using a water bottle and been warm enough to rest and sleep somewhat and in the morning found very noticeable condensation buildup on the quilt but it was frozen in beads since the fabric did not absorb the moisture before it froze.

One tip I've learned from the cold weather wizards over on hammock forums is to incorporate a fleece or microfiber cloth to collect the moisture you produce over night. Some have made a bib of sorts that slips over the neck and attaches to the hammock ridgeline. I've opted for a simple cloth laid on my quilt since I'm not exactly doing any deep winter or extreme cold weather and I've found this acceptable for my light duty winter trips.

Also note that a vapor barrier such as a space blanket is cheap, light, and tiny in size yet offers great warmth in the event you find the weather man is well a weatherman who like all other gets it wrong almost as much as they get it right!

A top quilt is ideal for hammock campers since the hanger can simply slip their feet in the foot box while laying on their back and tuck the top sides beneath their shoulders with the opposite hands. The under quilt or pad keeps the hammock side of the hanger warm to complete the insulation system. There are a number of vendors that sell other supplemental components to keep the hanger warm as the temperatures drop. Down hoods are popular as well as down sleeves to those cold weather warriors who get out and see how low they can go! 

Top and Under quilts are also frequently stacked to achieve greater warmth by those seeking to go low and not drop their children's education funds into their hobby.

The 40° Flight Jacket has worked comfortably down to about 25° for me and I have used it with the foot box vented and slept well up to about 60° making this quilt ideal to the weather I tend to hike in and can be experienced in the temperate climate of the Carolinas. Remember the quilt is over stuffed with 1 ounce so it's effectively rated to about 35°.

My quilt is dead on as far as the published specs. It is listed to weigh 19 ounces and with 1 ounce of overstuff it weighs in at 20 ounces. Based on my experience this past year with this quilt I anticipate years of great service from this quilt.

Yes, you can go lighter, you can find more exotic material, but it's unlikely you will find more quilt for the dollar or better service from better people than Paul and Missy.

I encourage you to visit undergroundquilts.com and take a gander at all the fine products the crew at UGQ offers, I'll wager you'll be glad you did.