UKHammocks Summer Top Quilt Looksee

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Shewie

Mod
Mod
Dec 15, 2005
24,259
24
48
Yorkshire
After hearing from Silverhill Forge that there was another UK cottage industry knocking out hammocks and accessories I just had to go and take a look. I’d been eyeing up a move to a top quilt for a while, having always used a sleeping bag in the hammock previously. It’s okay getting all these crazy ideas in your head but then you realise by the time you’ve included shipping and imports taxes, the price you first had in mind has now doubled when you buy from the States.
So how happy was I to learn there was a guy making some really nice quality goods and it also happens to be that he lives right on my doorstep. A few PM’s to Mat of UKHammocks.co.uk and we arranged to meet up and we could discuss my top quilt thoughts. I called over one evening for a brew and we chatted about dimensions, fabrics, footboxes and a target weight, it was also a good excuse to have a first hand look at Mat’s work and how he put his gear together.
A week or so later I got an email from Mat to say the quilt was ready, the next day I was on my way over again, talk about being chuffed, the quilt was a thing of beauty. The first thing that struck me about the quilt was the amount of loft there was with only 250g of 950 fill goose down, the pictures show differently but I think I had an idea in my head that 250g wouldn’t go very far in a full length quilt and I was expecting maybe an inch or two of loft.
The next thing that took me by surprise given the size of it was the weight. I mentioned on another post that the weight was 375g, that was an error on my part and just tonight I got round to weighing it properly. My target weight for a summer quilt was between 500g and 600g, the actual weight is 535g which is on the nail. The mix up in the earlier quoted weight was a result of sending a couple of texts to Mat whilst not really paying attention to what he was saying at the time, only tonight have I got round to weighing it for myself.

If a quilt is something you’ve thought about then have a look at the options in the US and then have a chat with Mat about what he can do, comparing delivered prices is a no brainer really

I’ve not had a night out since picking it up so I’m not going to rattle on season ratings and performance as that can only be tested in the field, what I’ll do for now though is share some piccies for those thinking about trying one.

(Excuse the mess in the bedroom, that's the wife's corner :))

First up then, views of the “bottom”
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Top view
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So I mentioned the loft, a rubbish picture but this shows over 6” of downy goodness
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I asked Mat for a sewn in footbox as I intend to use the quilt for lightweight backpacking on the deck as well as in the hammock, having somewhere to keep a small foot pad is really handy.
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I also requested shockcord at the head end so it can be pulled in and around my shoulders
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Total measured length around 175cm but it's probably longer
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Width at the shoulder when laid flat, 110cm I could have got this much flatter just by releasing the toggle so I expect it’s nearer 150cm in reality, I will check though. Having it nice and wide means I can sleep on my side without having any drafts up my back.
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An idea of packed size then, first stuffed into a normal stuff sack, 1L Gsi Dukjug for comparison
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Stuff it into a Sea-to-Summit eVent dry bag though and it’s smaller still
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Time to weigh it then, I used the cheapo scales we have for checking the suitcases at home before flying, the stuff sack weighs 45g empty
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A very respectable 580g including the stuff sack
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I should be heading out next weekend so it's getting packed then, I'll add to this once it's had it's first outing but I have a feeling it's going to be a real gem. If the test goes well then I think I'll be shopping with Mat again come winter time.
 
Last edited:

g4ghb

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 21, 2005
4,320
246
54
Wiltshire
Looks Good Rich! - don't forget to take your shoes off before you get in though, you wouldn't want to perforate it and lose any of that lovely down would you.... :nono:
 

Shewie

Mod
Mod
Dec 15, 2005
24,259
24
48
Yorkshire
Nice quilt Rich , i,m not keen on yer heels though.:lmao:

Looks Good Rich! - don't forget to take your shoes off before you get in though, you wouldn't want to perforate it and lose any of that lovely down would you.... :nono:

Damn it, I nearly cropped that picture but couldn't be bothered. What I get up to on a weekend is none of your business :)
 

Trunks

Full Member
May 31, 2008
1,716
10
Haworth
Why Rich, why!!

Just when i'm happy with my gear, you go and do this :)

Your quilt looks great BTW, similar to the burrow, but stitched up etc. I can see it being very easy to get into/under in a hammock :)

Looking at the fill, it should be good to just around freezing IMHO - i know you want to speculate really :)

I don't want to tempt you too much, but i was wondering if you want to help me twist Mat's arm into making some Cuben Fibre tarps :)?
 

Shewie

Mod
Mod
Dec 15, 2005
24,259
24
48
Yorkshire
I don't want to tempt you too much, but i was wondering if you want to help me twist Mat's arm into making some Cuben Fibre tarps :)?

Why James, why !!

Lol, price dependent I could be interested, I'm not sure I could part with the Superfly though
 

Trunks

Full Member
May 31, 2008
1,716
10
Haworth
Sorry rich, terribly rude of me, don't want this to derail/hijack your thread, so will PM you later mate.

Still jealous of the quilt though, grumble, grumble...
 

Teepee

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Jan 15, 2010
4,115
5
Northamptonshire
Looking forward to finding out how you get on with a quilt mate.

Good choice on the colour I think.

It does look very lofty for 250g fill!
 

tobes01

Full Member
May 4, 2009
1,901
45
Hampshire
Rich, how long is the top quilt? I'm 6'2 and like a bit of extra length in a quilt, keen to check this one's going to be long enough before I commit a heap of money...

Tobes
 

Shewie

Mod
Mod
Dec 15, 2005
24,259
24
48
Yorkshire
Rich, how long is the top quilt? I'm 6'2 and like a bit of extra length in a quilt, keen to check this one's going to be long enough before I commit a heap of money...

Tobes

I'm not sure exactly how long this one is Tobes, I'm guessing around 180cm, remember there's no hood on it so it's a bit different to normal bag measurements. I'm sure if you contacted Mat he'd be able to build one to whatever spec you like.

Mind if I ask how much it cost?
Very tempted!

Not at all, I paid £130 as I went to collect it. I think Mat charges a extra £10 for recorded delivery
 

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