Sleeping bag underquilt (some questions)

**aceatc** · 10-25-2007, 23:38

I want to make an underquilt from a sleeping bag since I can not get access to cheap nylon material.

Pretty much following the basic instructions from this link and just substituting the neat sheet for a sleeping bag:But, I do have a few questions though.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ght=Neat+Sheet
(The temp. is going to be somewhere around the low 40's to maybe even low 30's where I'm gonna camp)

1. What kind of sleeping bag should I get? Something square, but do they make bags long enough?

2. Down or synthetic? I'm not sure which and at what temp. rating?

3. How am I gonna carry this thing anyways? Do I use the original insides of the hammock or use other stuffing to make the bag compress smaller?

4. Is it really as simple as opening up a sleeping bag and attaching it to the bottom of the hammock with the outside of the bag facing away from the hammock and the inside of the bag touching the bottom of the hammock?

Obviously I'm lost. If can shed any light on my questions I would really appreciate it, I really need a cheap way to stay warm and I don't like pads

**kohburn** · 10-26-2007, 06:37

if you get a bag that you can zip all the way open (usually a square bag) then buy matching zippers for it then you can sew a small sheath to the zippers and use it to attach shock cord to the bag without modifying the bag at all.. it should be able to tie up to the hammock this way, but i haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

i would go with a bag rated at the lowest temp you plan to sleep in. you can always add a space blanket ot fleece to supplement for warmth.

**aceatc** · 10-26-2007, 10:21

I use an HH Exped. so I wonder if I can find a bag long enough. Will the asymmetrical shape of my hammock create any problems for a square sleeping bag?

**kohburn** · 10-26-2007, 11:53

the underquilt only needs to be long enough to cover the area you sleep on.
the shape won't be a problem. Getting it to pull up against the underside of the hammock without airgaps will be tricky, but you can always add some more shock cords to it to help.

**aceatc** · 10-26-2007, 15:44

Should I chose a down sleeping bag or synthetic? Synthetic might be more compressible, but not as warm.

Well, then how do normal down underquilts get so small then? Arg, I don't know.

**Cannibal** · 10-26-2007, 15:51

Other way around; down is more compressible AND lighter for the warmth.

**Arkwater** · 10-26-2007, 15:53

Down will compress much smaller than a similar rated synthetic bag. Bag ratings go out the window when you start using them with a hammock (off the ground).

**aceatc** · 10-26-2007, 16:42

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Other way around; down is more compressible AND lighter for the warmth.

Oh, okay.

So how am I going to make this underquilt compressible. Use the original down in the bag or replace it with something else?

**slowhike** · 10-26-2007, 19:35

Originally Posted by aceatc

Oh, okay.

So how am I going to make this underquilt compressible. Use the original down in the bag or replace it with something else?

it comes compressible... it's a built in feature!!!
just decide how you want to attach 4 shock cords or 4 loops (a lot of people use grosgrain). that will be a good start.

**aceatc** · 10-26-2007, 20:29

Well, I just don't want to lug around a whole other sleeping bag!

I'll take your word for it and find a zero degree down bag tomorrow. Thanks for the help and lets see how I do.

Oh, even found a king sized square bag!
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5646060