Thank youOh, I forgot to answer about the difference in a PeaPod and a sleeping bag. In general, none. The concept for a Pea Pod was born when Ed Speer was camping and one of his buddies had the idea to take his large sleeping bag and wrap it around the hammock so as to NOT compress the bottom layer of insulation. Many a person has done the same over the years, making what they have work. It might require a lot of experimentation and maybe even a couple of minor mods, but certainly can be done. I refer you to Shug's way sub-zero adventures with his sleeping bag pod systems.
As for the actual Speer Pea Pod system, it is nothing more than a large bag optimized for quick easy hammock use. It is huge in the middle where the hammock is widest, and tapered sharply on the ends, just like a non-bridge hammock, so that it can cinch down and close off the ends. Then it has a Velcro top closure system that allows quick closure as well as quick escape if needed. A jammed zipper would be unpleasant if closed up in a pod if you had to go NOW or exit fast for any reason. It has a nylon cord(not shock cord) suspension on the ends which allows you to easily remove slack to get the pod to touch your back, or add slack if you either want to add insulation ( like a puffy jacket) or if you are too hot but still need a little something. And the full length Velcro not only helps the nylon cord suspension by supporting along the top full length, but allows a large or small amount of very adjustable ventilation.
Lastly, since it wraps around the hammock from one end to another, If you have it almost fully closed, it is sort of like a mummy bag as far as insulating your head, except without any compression of the bottom layer. It has a huge amount of head/face/nose insulation when needed. You may or may not be able to mod a sleeping bag to accomplish this, or may just have to use separate hoods and/or face masks.
But bottom line, a Speer Pea Pod is just a big old bag, designed from the get go for hammock use.
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