This will make me sound like an idiot, but... How do I get into my Sleeping Bag?

I know, Ideally I'd use an Underquilt.

For my boys, it seems to be no problem at all. Climb in the hammock, squirm into the sleeping bag. They also weigh a lot less than I do, which I suspect is a huge part of my problem.

Every time I sit in the Hammock, both ends of the sleeping bag slides downhill toward where I'm sitting, and makes a giant wad, making it nearly impossible to get it flattened out again, and get me into the bag and zipped up. Last night, after 20 minutes of tossing and turning inside the hammock, I gave up, and just laid on top of the wadded up mess.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

(FYI: Hennessee Hammock, if it matters...)

for what it's worth, I have a Hennessey.
I also have an TQ which works far better than a sleeping bag.

this summer, when it was hot, I used a silk liner.
AFter a couple of troubling nights, I decided to stand up right next to the hammock, step into the cocoon, sit back into the hammock and endeavor to sleep. It was so very terribly uncomfortable squirming all night.

If I HAD to do it, meaning using a zippered up bag, I would un-zip it down to the foot box and use my sleeping bag like an TQ.

as a side note, I eventually modified both my 15 degree Marmot and 20 degree North Face to quilts. To sleep in a zippered up sleeping bag was too much effort. :eek:

I might can help you with that quandary.....
Shug

i get in the bag before getting in the hammock. takes some practice but it is the best way i've found when useing the bag all around me instead of as a TQ. fyi i use a usgi modular sleep system as my bag. i only do this when my pluq isn't warm enough on it's own

I unzip mine and use it as a quilt.

You can carry ground sheet Tyvec or plastic and put your feet in before you sit in the hammock or unzip it and use it like a TQ. Trying to get in a sleeping bag in a hammock is tough.

I use a Swiss Army Fleece Mummy Bag Liner as part of my insulation system. A lot of the time here in Texas, its all that's required. I sleep in it just like in a sleeping bag. It has the advantage of having a draw string at the top of the bag. I attach that draw string to a prusik knot on the ridgeline:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ping/003-1.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ping/004-1.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e6...ping/002-2.jpg

It may be possible for you to do something similar. It still takes a bit of squirming to get the bag just right---pratice makes perfect---but the bag does not slump to the center and I can position the foot box while sitting on the bag and then swing my legs over and into it without having to do that outside of the hammock.

LOL! Oldest hammock problem in the book! See above recs and video! If drafts, especially when moving in your sleep, can not be controlled, then a zipped up bag with hood will be warmer. Maybe a LOT warmer! I have even got a big boost while leaving it slightly unzipped near one shoulder - but with my head still in hood with neck collar closed - so I can put one jacketed/gloved arm out, and if needed turn on my side with that hand under my pillow.

Much as already mentioned: I get in the bag standing up, hood over my head, partly zip up and get in the hammock.

Another great trick is leave the neck collar closed, but bag unzipped most of the way, bag in hammock. Then I get in, put my head through the side, up into and past the collar into the hood, then feet into the foot end of bag. Then squirm around so the bags edges are under my sides, like a quilt. But with a functioning collar and hood. Best of both worlds.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by two isles

If I HAD to do it, meaning using a zippered up bag, I would un-zip it down to the foot box and use my sleeping bag like an TQ.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

I unzip mine and use it as a quilt.

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+1 to this. I use a north face bag much like a quilt. Unzip most of the way but leave a foot box. I try and tuck the sides in under shoulders. I usually push the hood out of the way somewhere :).

I have my sights set on a proper TQ for Christmas :boggle:

Attachment 40492

This is how I get into my sleeping bag. My wife is having a nap in this pic. Just put the bag around the hammock.