reverse BB sleeping bag mod

**Barry** · 09-09-2009, 23:05

So I was using my BB last weekend and had to put everything up in the dark. I'd forgot to replace my battery in the flashlight so I just felt my way around as I laid out my sleeping bag etc. This is the first time I've used my bag with the BB (in the summer heat I just take a sheet or light blanket).

In the process however, I realized that my bag (all my bags) has the zipper on the opposite side as the BB which consequently it makes it hard to get in the bag without it slipping out of position.

How do the rest of you address this? I'm actually thinking of calling Brandon and ordering another but this time getting it made right-handed.

**LostCause** · 09-09-2009, 23:18

I don't have a BB yet, but I think this can be addressed as a general hammock question rather than a BB specific question.

I think most people use the sleeping bag as a quilt and use a pad or underquilt underneath. Using the bag as a quilt would eliminate the need to purchase a new BB, and give you more versatility for different temperatures. That being said, if you go the route to order a new one and decide to sell your current one, I sincerely doubt it would take longer than an hour to sell on HF.

**amac** · 09-10-2009, 02:18

If you're going to get inside your sleeping bag, get in the bag before you sit down in your hammock. However, I agree with Lost Cause, using the bag as a quilt would be easiest.

**gargoyle** · 09-10-2009, 04:44

No BB here, but I do use my bag as a quilt too.

**HappyCamper** · 09-10-2009, 06:27

me too. sleeping bag as quilt. with pad in BB pad pocket or underquilt underneath.

**attroll** · 09-10-2009, 06:56

I usually lay my bag out in my hammock and roll the top of the bag towards the entrance. Then I sit inside the open sleeping bag and unroll the top layer back over me and then zip it up if I need to. There is still a little wiggling to be done but this works for me.

**Beast 71** · 09-10-2009, 09:14

Bag as a quilt too.

**beep** · 09-10-2009, 09:26

Originally Posted by Barry

In the process however, I realized that my bag (all my bags) has the zipper on the opposite side as the BB which consequently it makes it hard to get in the bag without it slipping out of position.

How do the rest of you address this? I'm actually thinking of calling Brandon and ordering another but this time getting it made right-handed.

All my sleeping bags are right hand zip, so when I ordered my BB, I had Brandon make it up as a "mirror" pattern with the footbox and shelf on the left side and zipper on the right (to match my sleeping bags).

**Mustardman** · 09-10-2009, 10:14

I have both right hand zip and left hand zip bags, and if it's cold enough that I want to use the hoods and get in side of them, I don't have much problem getting them oriented. If the bag is one of those ones where the zipper is on the "wrong" side, I lay the bag out the way I want to get into it, and let the top of the bag sort of flop outside the hammock while I get in, then pull it over me and zip up. Works well.

For anything above about 30-40 degress, though, I rarely get inside the bag - over top of me as a quilt works quite well.